The Maryland Court of Special Appeals heard arguments on Tuesday over whether the developer of a high-speed magnetic levitation train line that would run from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., has the power to condemn land in Westport.
The court’s decision will have a paramount effect on the future of two dueling projects and the South Baltimore community that will be impacted by them. Monkton-based Stonewall Capital owns 43 acres of waterfront property off Kloman Street and is planning a major redevelopment of the area. Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR), the company that wants to build the maglev, claims it needs the land for the proposed route and sees a station in Westport as the anchor of a new transit-oriented development.
At the heart of the matter is a question over whether BWRR has land condemnation power. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Ausby dismissed the case in August, ruling BWRR did not obtain the necessary approval from the mayor and City Council. BWRR appealed, setting up Tuesday’s hearing in front of the three-judge panel.
