Mall Redevelopment: Baltimore County Seeks Ideas For Transit-Oriented Community

Press release from Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier:

WOODLAWN, MD (Oct. 23, 2025) —Baltimore County and Security Square Holding LLC today announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a qualified developer to lead the transformation of approximately 69 acres at Security Square Mall in Woodlawn. The RFP marks a major milestone in Baltimore County’s efforts to reimagine the retail center as a walkable, mixed-use community that leverages future transit investments, and follows a recent agreement between Baltimore County and Security Square Holding LLC to jointly place its properties on the market for redevelopment.

The announcement follows the Baltimore County Council’s unanimous vote to expand the Revitalization Property Tax Credit, with new tools to spur redevelopment in key commercial and transit-oriented areas in western Baltimore County.”

“This is a reimagining of what’s possible when government, community, and private partners come together to create something transformational,” said Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. “I have long supported this project, and look forward to working with the team that will help write the next chapter for Security Square and the entire west side of Baltimore County.”

With the launch of Reimagine Security Square — a county-led initiative to breathe new life into the Woodlawn commercial property through a community-driven visioning process — in 2022, Baltimore County began to strategically acquire acreage at the site. Backed by a combined $30 million in state and county investment, the county now owns 39 of the property’s 88 acres including the purchase of the 18-acre former Sears property in 2022, an additional 12 acres in 2023, and the January 2025 purchase of the nine-acre former Macy’s building and associated property. Security Square Holding LLC owns 30 acres on the Security Square Mall site.

“Security Square Mall has long been a cornerstone of our community, and today marks an important step toward realizing its full potential,” said Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. “We’re now ready to invite innovative partners to help us transform this site into a vibrant, inclusive space that reflects the needs and aspirations of Baltimore County residents. This is about more than redevelopment—it’s about reimagining opportunity, economic growth, and community pride for generations to come.”

The RFP invites proposals that incorporate the principles developed through the Reimagine Security Square initiative. Baltimore County’s Master Plan 2030 designates the site as a Regional Commercial Node, with potential for residential, commercial, civic, and light industrial development.

“For years the community has advocated to be seen, and I am thankful for the state and County’s investment in this transformative plan,” said Maryland State Senator Charles E. Sydnor. “The decisions that have been made over the past few years culminating into this announcement, is evidence that we see you and your voices have been heard.”

The site — built in 1972 and once a thriving regional destination — is located near major federal employment centers, including the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The site will benefit from direct access to the planned Red Line light-rail transit extension, a 16-mile corridor that would connect Woodlawn to downtown Baltimore.

"We’re ensuring that redevelopment delivers for our residents, and this revitalization tax credit is making good on our commitment to the community by incentivizing affordable housing and neighborhood growth in a smart way,” said Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young. “The goal is to build walkable communities with homes, shops, and public spaces that reflect the needs and requests of our residents."

"The time has come to reimagine aging retail centers like Security Square Mall, which have outlived their purpose and have become a drag on our communities,” said Baltimore County Councilman Julian Jones. “We are ready to unlock the tools needed to rebuild these centers into thriving, modern hubs where families, seniors, and businesses can grow and thrive. This legislation can restore pride in every corner of Baltimore County, and provide the jobs and economic benefits we need."

"It's an exciting time as we begin to enter the first stages of transformation of a bold new community led plan for Security Square Mall,” said Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka. “The community engaged in a visioning process for the repurposing of the mall site. The community's creative vision along with Baltimore County's land assemblage efforts have brought us to this point. I can't wait to enter this next phase!"

“The challenge with redeveloping malls is that they often have multiple parcel owners, making large-scale development complex and difficult,” said CityView Commercial CEO Jack Friedler (Security Square Holding LLC). “Baltimore County has been an excellent partner in helping assemble these parcels, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the county to determine the best future use for Security Square Mall.”

“Moving here has been a blessing on so many levels. If you want to go fast; go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,” said Dr. Karen Bethea, Founder, O.W.E Center and Senior Pastor, Set the Captives Free Outreach Center. “We at the O.W.E Center look forward to continued partnerships and seeing what this property will become for this beautiful community.”

“This RFP is a transformational opportunity for a major hub at the center of the Authority’s catchment area, and we are delighted to see progress at this site.” said Carla Nelson Chambers, Chair of the West Baltimore County Redevelopment Authority. “With the establishment of the West Baltimore County Redevelopment Authority in 2024, the appointments of its board members in 2025, and the redevelopment of Security Square beginning in 2026, we believe great things lie ahead in West Baltimore County.”

This press release was produced by Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. The views expressed here are the author’s own.