Mayor Brandon M. Scott Releases “Downtown RISE: Master Plan for Downtown”
BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, October 9, 2025) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott released Downtown RISE: A Master Plan for Downtown, a comprehensive long-term plan for downtown that builds on Mayor Scott’s Downtown RISE: Strategic Action Plan, and Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision, launched last year. This Master Plan, a collaboration between Mayor Scott’s Administration, Governor Wes Moore’s Administration, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and a diverse downtown stakeholder group, serves as a framework to make Baltimore’s Downtown more livable, pedestrian friendly, and vibrant. This Master Plan is being released for public engagement and continues this administration’s commitment to hearing from all corners of the City as the plan for the future of Baltimore’s downtown is charted in partnership with all Baltimoreans. This Master Plan will serve as a living document that guides downtown’s renaissance. It will be updated regularly as progress is made and as opportunities for collaboration and funding evolve.
With the release of this Master Plan, Downtown RISE, initially announced in November 2023, now includes both a medium-term action plan outlining critical projects, investments, and strategies, and long-term comprehensive planning targets to chart downtown Baltimore’s next chapter. Building on the significant progress made under the short-term Strategic Action Plan, Downtown Baltimore is ready for the future.
“Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods — which means our rise is only complete when both uptown and downtown are thriving,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This plan invests in the heart of our city: the place where so many Baltimoreans gather, dine, work, and play. It’s a reflection of our residents’ needs and the tireless efforts of our partners from the city and state. Together, we’ve set out a path to a healthier, safer, more prosperous future for Downtown Baltimore. That future starts today.”
"This new Master Plan marks the next chapter in the Baltimore Renaissance," said Gov. Wes Moore. "Moving in partnership with leaders across the city, we've already cut unemployment, broken the back of violent crime, and spurred economic growth. Now, we are continuing that work with an approach that delivers on the promise of work, wages, and wealth for all. For this to be Maryland's Decade, it has to be Baltimore's Time. And with a team this strong, I know we will prevail."
The Scott Administration announced Downtown RISE in November 2023 and released a set of immediate actions to improve the vibrancy of downtown Baltimore. In the six months following the release of the initial phase of Downtown RISE, the Scott Administration engaged hundreds of residents, business owners, nonprofit leaders and stakeholders from across the city through surveys, town halls, and briefings to inform the comprehensive Downtown RISE strategy. The strategies included in Downtown RISE serve as the now-to-medium term priorities for downtown investment.
The third and final phase of Downtown RISE focuses on the long-term 10-year strategic vision for downtown. In partnership with key downtown stakeholders including, but not limited to, Live Baltimore, Baltimore Development Corporation, Baltimore Convention Center, the Maryland Stadium Authority, and others, the Scott Administration will continue to engage the community as we finalize a long-term strategic vision for the future of downtown.
“Downtown Partnership is thrilled to partner with Governor Moore, Mayor Scott, and so many critical downtown stakeholders on the Downtown RISE Master Plan,” said Shelonda Stokes, President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. “Our teams work every day to make our Downtown cleaner, more vibrant, and more livable, and we’re committed to doing our part to make this Master Plan a reality. The future is now for Downtown, and through partnership, relentless focus and engagement with our many Downtown stakeholders, we can make this more livable future a reality.”
The full Downtown RISE website can be found here. The Master Plan can be found here.
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