Time Extended For Bids On Baltimore Convention Hotel

BALTIMORE— The Baltimore Development Corp. has extended the deadline for developers to submit proposals for a long-awaited convention headquarters hotel. Initially slated for Jan. 27, the date was shifted to Feb. 10, as there were several requests for an extension, noted the BDC. Approximately eight developers have called Baltimores leading economic development agency for the request for proposals, which outlines the need for a hotel next to the expanded Baltimore City Convention Center by 2006. However, the BDC cautioned all those calls may not translate into hotel plans for the city-owned site bound by Paca, Pratt, Howard and Camden streets, since several developers could be working together, narrowing the field. So far, RLJ Development LLC, the Bethesda-based company led by Black Entertainment Television Founder and CEO Robert Johnson, has emerged as the front-runner. The companys proposal for a 750-room Hilton — in conjunction with Quadrangle Development Corp. of Washington, D.C. — was showcased during a November news conference at City Hall. However, since the hotel would be constructed on city-owned land, city leaders were forced to invite competition to bid on the hotel project. Baltimore has run into some problems in the past with convention headquarters hotel plans— most have proven to be nonstarters — a phenomenon that some officials believe has driven larger conventions to nearby cities. Orioles owner Peter Angelos previously held the exclusive negotiating rights for the land in question, and had promised to build a convention headquarters hotel there. But he let those rights lapse in 2000, opening the playing field for other developers. Since then, the site has remained a surface parking lot. Once the final proposals are received, the Baltimore Development Corp. is expected to take several weeks to analyze them and make a selection. Financing, including the need for public subsidies, as well as the hotel brand name are expected to be critical factors in the citys decision.