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Proposed 414 Light St. tower gets final approval from Planning Commission

UPDATED: Dec 19, 2014

The city Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously voted to grant final approval to the apartment skyscraper at 414 Light St., the last major hurdle developer Questar Properties Inc. needed for the project.

The approval allows developer Stephen M. Gorn to apply for a building permit and start construction on the 44-story, $140 million tower at the corner of Light and Conway streets downtown. Gorn told the commission that he expects to begin construction on the 392-unit building in the second quarter of 2015.

City Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector asked Gorn how much tax revenue the tower is expected to generate for the city. Gorn said he didn't know, but pointed out that the long-vacant lot only generates about $500,000 annually and that the tower will likely generate "millions."

That's good news for city officials, who have long complained that the surface parking lot is a terrible use of space for a waterfront parcel on the Inner Harbor. The parking lot accommodates about 250 cars; the tower will feature a multi-floor garage that will provide a net increase of 300 cars on the site.

Those spaces will offer enough parking both for residents and visitors to the building who will be attracted to the 12,000 square feet of retail on the first floor. The building has been designed to accommodate outdoor patio seating along Light Street, indicating Questar will try to attract a restaurant to the space.
That's good news for city officials, who have long complained that the surface parking lot is a terrible use of space for a waterfront parcel on the Inner Harbor. The parking lot accommodates about 250 cars; the tower will feature a multi-floor garage that will provide a net increase of 300 cars on the site.

Those spaces will offer enough parking both for residents and visitors to the building who will be attracted to the 12,000 square feet of retail on the first floor. The building has been designed to accommodate outdoor patio seating along Light Street, indicating Questar will try to attract a restaurant to the space

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Dec 19, 2014
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore...-approval.html