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The Clipper Mill community has a new lead developer after ValStone Partners sold its interest in several key parcels there to another local developer.
The Baltimore Business Journal reported that ValStone sold undeveloped properties at Clipper Mill to MCB Real Estate, headed by developer David Bramble.
The parcels acquired by MCB include the historic Tractor Building at 2039 Clipper Park Road and the Poole and Hunt property, a parking lot at 2001 Druid Park Drive.
Larry Jennings, senior managing director of ValStone, has proposed to build 30 “stacked” townhouses on the Poole and Hunt lot and about 100 apartments inside the shell of the Tractor Building.
But residents of the Clipper Mill community challenged his plans, saying they didn’t comply with the “planned unit development” zoning regulations approved by the city for Clipper Mill, and the projects have been mired in court proceedings. At one point, Jennings sued the Clipper Mill residents for $25 million for testifying against his projects at public hearings, but he lost his case.
Jennings declined to comment about the sale today. Bramble could not be reached. A resident of Clipper Mill who was sued by Jennings, Jared Block, said residents are “overjoyed” about the sale and looking forward to meeting Bramble and hearing about his vision for Clipper Mill and Woodberry. John Murphy, an attorney who represented the residents in multiple suits against Jennings, said he thought the change in ownership was a positive development.
MCB is working on numerous projects around the city, including Yard 56 in East Baltimore; Northwood Commons near Morgan State University; and Madison Park North along North Avenue in Reservoir Hill. With another developer, the company last December purchased the former Eddie’s of Charles Village grocery store in Charles Village and quickly leased it to Streets Market.
Terms of the sale to MCB have not been disclosed.
Ed Gunts is a local freelance writer and the former architecture critic for The Baltimore Sun.
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