Mayor Scott Announces More Details on Construction of a New Mayor's Office of Employment Development Headquarters in Reservoir Square

BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, August 6, 2024) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced additional details about the development project that includes a new headquarters for the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED), slated to open in early 2026. This innovative hub will feature a state-of-the-art American Job Center designed to better serve city residents by centralizing programs and services, consolidating multiple locations into one comprehensive One-Stop Career Center, thereby reducing costs, increasing efficiencies, and making services more accessible for residents.

MOED's new headquarters will serve as an anchor for the proposed Reservoir Square redevelopment project in the 800 block of West North Avenue, the site of the former Madison Park North apartment complex. This highly anticipated 8.1-acre redevelopment project will be comprised of new homes and businesses. Centered in a historically disinvested-in part of West Baltimore, the development will be central to the neighborhood revitalization slated to occur over the coming years in Madison Park.

A $16 million in public investment from the City will be used to leverage nearly $21.5 million in financing as well as nearly $4 million in New Market Tax Credits to construct this facility. The private sector will not only secure the financing but will also be responsible for construction of the facility. By partnering with the private sector to deliver this project, the City is able to provide MOED employees and residents participating in workforce development opportunities a brand new facility without impacting any other capital project. This innovative approach to project delivery harnesses the capabilities of the private sector to deliver critical public services and will, for the first time in decades, provide the City of Baltimore with a new government office building.

"Two core components of my administration have been to invest in all parts of Baltimore that have been overlooked for decades and to modernize city government to make vital services more accessible to more Baltimoreans. The opening of this new headquarters will do both, marking a significant milestone in our administration's commitment to not only workforce empowerment and economic development but also to reimagining how City services can be funded and delivered," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "By centralizing services, we are making them more accessible while also enhancing the quality and efficiency of support we provide our residents. By partnering with the private sector, we are delivering projects we would not otherwise be able to deliver if we attempted to do it solo."

The new state-of-the-art hub will consist of a four-story building encompassing nearly 63,000 square feet. Located strategically on the CityLink Gold route and nearby Penn North station, the facility will feature a state-of-the-art American Job Center with exciting new career skills-building classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and upgraded technology learning labs. Designed to be energy-efficient and accessible, the building will centralize job placement assistance, career training, and support services.

"We are excited to launch our new headquarters and continue our legacy of delivering economic justice to Baltimore's job seekers and empowering our employer partners," said MacKenzie Garvin, Esq, MOED Director. "Our agency is committed to fostering economic growth and development within our city. This historic investment in workforce development will enable MOED to serve Baltimore City for many decades to come."

This project includes a strategic lease-purchase agreement, allowing the city to lease the building and to purchase it at the end of the 32-year lease term. This approach not only supports long-term investment but also enables the use of New Markets Tax Credits to help finance the project through lease payments. By leveraging these financing tools, the City ensures that the development is both economically viable and beneficial for the community.

Approval of this project will be considered at the August 7, 2024 meeting of the Board of Estimates.

About the Mayor's Office of Employment Development
The Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) is committed to empowering Baltimore residents through job placement, training programs, and support services. In 2024, MOED offered YouthWorks summer jobs to over 10,000 young people across more than 750 employer partners. MOED placed more than 3,000 city residents in jobs in fiscal year 2024. MOED also supports businesses with recruitment services, strategic advisement, and business grants. In fiscal year 2024, over 1,000 businesses were serviced by MOED. Our mission is to promote economic justice in Baltimore City by connecting individuals with meaningful employment opportunities and businesses with the city's brightest talent.

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