Committee hears Amtrak-backed street-closure and parcel sale measures tied to Frederick Douglass Tunnel; votes deferred

Baltimore City’s Land Use and Transportation Committee heard two bills (Council Bills 25-00078 and 25-00079) that would close small dead-end streets and authorize sale of city right-of-way parcels to facilitate Amtrak’s Frederick Douglass Tunnel project. Council member Bullock sponsored the measures at DOT and Amtrak's request; the committee did not vote and will hold votes after the Planning Commission provides its reports.

"These streets aren't needed for public use, and closing them is an essential step to advancing a major federal investment," Christian McNeil of the Department of Transportation said, urging support for the street-closing ordinance. McNeil said the closures and parcel transfers are critical to allow Amtrak to assemble property needed for the project, which DOT and Finance staff said will modernize infrastructure, reduce delays and bring jobs and long-term economic benefits to Baltimore.

Leah Gatlin, Amtrak's director of real estate for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel program, described the parcels as part of the project's "South Approach," where the southern ventilation facility will be constructed and maintained. Gatlin said deep excavation and substantial utility relocations are expected in the coming months and that additional parcel groups will come forward as work becomes imminent.

Planning staff told the committee the planning commission had not yet scheduled the items; the chair said the committee would complete hearings today but defer votes until the planning commission meets and issues its recommendations. Department of Finance noted sale prices have not been determined and that proceeds from any sale would go into the surplus property fund.

The hearing concluded with no public testimony; the committee recessed and will take votes on these bills at a later session after planning commission review.