Last week on Around the Nest, we delved into the main components of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Baltimore Orioles, the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) and the state of Maryland, along with Governor Wes Moore. Since then, a whirlwind of news has come out that has played with the emotions of Birdland in various ways.
It was first announced by Bloomberg that Baltimore native David Rubenstein was in the early stages of trying to purchase the Baltimore Orioles. As excitement started to spread through Birdland, the news came out that a lease agreement was reached to keep the Orioles at Camden Yards for at least 30 more years.
Like a pin to a balloon, all that excitement deflated as quickly as it came. With most of the nation glued to the Shohei Ohtani travel itinerary, a little birdie reported from Governor Moore’s office that John Angelos had reached out to assure that he wasn’t selling the majority stake of the team.
This, of course, was followed by a new report that the governor had stopped the lease due to objections from a senator about land development. If you thought it would end there, you’re in for a surprise.
According to a post from the Orioles’ social media department, minority owner Wayne Gioioso Sr. passed away December 7, 2023, while walking with his son to a Christmas Party. This could be why Rubenstein has been in contact with the Orioles about a possible sale, getting in on the lower portion of the team.
That should bring you up to speed on what has been happening since the last portion of Around the Nest. Based on our own research in regards to the MOA, we reached out to the surrounding neighborhoods adjacent to OPACY, Governor Moore’s office and a business association.
At the time of this writing, two representatives have responded to our requests for an interview:
- Noah Smock – Executive Director of Baltimore Community ToolBank
- Kim Lane – Executive Director of Pigtown Main Street
Smock and Lane both answered a few questions for us in regards to the MOA, which specified that the Orioles would be responsible for the development of the area surrounding OPACY, as well as working with the surrounding neighborhoods to improve and enhance Baltimore.
Author: “In the lease, it says that the Orioles agree to improvements in the surrounding areas, but at least one of the neighborhood executives has said no one from either party has contacted them in regards for any input or details. Is this the same for your area?”
Smock: “No one from the Orioles has reached out to our organization with a specific question about how they could improve the areas surrounding the stadium. That said, we have enjoyed volunteer projects with Orioles employees at our organization annually for the past four years.”
Lane: “Pigtown Main Street has not been contacted by the Orioles about the future plans. We have never been contacted for any reason.”
Interestingly enough, the governor and any members of the Orioles have failed to include the neighborhoods that will be affected by any developmental projects or improvements. These areas that surround Camden Yards are being left out of any discussions, which could be why Senator Bill Ferguson objected to the lease agreement the other day.
Have any businesses or members of your community expressed or raised concerns about what expansion and improvements will be done and how it might affect the neighborhood/businesses? While Smock says he has no direct knowledge of this, Lane had a different insight.
“It would be ideal if the O’s extended their footprint to bring customers to existing local businesses and to support the local economy,” Lane said. “The O’s have mentioned they would contribute to the local area – I believe they mentioned a health center or another type of social service. This is not what the surrounding neighborhoods need. The O’s needs to reach out and ask locally before planning any type of service or give back.”
Author: “What are your concerns in regards to a new lease agreement being reached and concerns on improvements and / or expansion of the Camden Yards area?”
Lane: “If the development rights the O’s are seeking are only for Camden Warehouse and the parking lots, Pigtown’s concern is that, once again, it may create an island within our area of the city. There are ways to connect local businesses and areas to Camden Yards with signage, promotions, etc. If the lease includes development rights away from the O’s stadium, then discussions should be happening now transparently about where those developments are.”
Smock: “My main concern is that language in the MOA gives lip service to “working with the community” without looking into who the stakeholders are, let alone reaching out to them and listening to their input. It appears to be a generic statement made to placate people far outside of these communities rather than any genuine interest in listening to what these community stakeholders want.”
It’s quite interesting that both executives have similar responses to the question. It seems that the MSA, the state and the Orioles are leaving out important members when it comes to the surrounding areas of Camden Yards. The disconnect to the heartbeat of the city is a little concerning when you see the charitable events that are being done, not only by the organization but the state.
Author: “What effect does the stadium have on the surrounding areas when games are played, and how does it affect the neighborhood, businesses and traffic flow?”
Smock: “For popular games, parking is tight in our neighborhood, and there is an increase in trash and litter left on the streets. The flow of traffic is much slower during these popular games. These tend to be Opening Day and any playoff games, though most regular season home games do not impact our direct neighborhood in Carroll-Camden.”
Lane: “Typically, our breweries and a few businesses may have some fans stopping in. But these fans usually live in the area. Residents have complained that parking restrictions are not upheld during games, and fans take residential parking. The bottom line is, in Pigtown, you can hear the roar of the crowd because the stadium is so close. The O’s should be connected to the area and understand that if fans have a good experience at and before and after the game, then the stadium seats may fill more.”
It seems that home games, postseason games and specialty games (this would include M&T Bank Stadium) do have a significant effect on the neighborhoods. Whether it be parking, litter or even a disconnect to the community, it seems that the Orioles and the state have forgotten what helps make Baltimore the Charm City.
The Baltimore Orioles, a great franchise loved by many, a significant part of the history to not only baseball but the state of Maryland, have forgotten about their neighbors that help make the Camden Yards area an accessible and warming place for outsiders to visit.
Along with the governor’s office, the state and the MSA, it appears that for improvement in the positive direction, it would behoove all parties to include those that could provide a bigger benefit and enjoyment, not only to the surrounding area but to the city and team altogether.
We reached out to the governor’s office but did not receive a comment.
While we do hope that a fair lease agreement is reached between all parties, we hope along the way that they include the surrounding neighborhoods instead of leaving them stranded in the bottom of the ninth.
What do you think of the O’s role in recognizing or lack-there-of the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on X – @SRJHeckman, and listen to the official podcast of The Baltimore Battery, The Final Strike, anywhere you get your podcasts!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment