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🚀 Maryland’s $354M Moves Everyone Should Be Watching
Published 3 months ago • 7 min read
Happy Friday, Maryland!
Alright guys, we’ve got three major projects breaking open at the same time, from a brand-new $289 million Dulaney High to a historic campus overhaul and even a long-vacant Towson site finally coming back to life. All different stories, but trust me, they point to the same momentum.
And since it’s the season, Maryland’s lighting up too. Walk-throughs, drive-throughs, waterfront displays: you’ll see exactly where to catch the best glow this year.
Plus, Baltimore just dropped a new zoning map that shows, block by block, how the Housing Options and Opportunities Act could shape neighborhoods. Super useful tool, and it’s worth a look.
TO CHECK: Before Christmas gets crazy, make sure you check the quick tip at the bottom (it’ll save you time and stress this weekend!).
Shop unique Baltimore boutiques at Green Spring Station with live entertainment and holiday cocktails from Cane Collective. Free entry with vendors like Mount Royal Soaps and Jill Andrews Gowns.
The Baltimore County Arts Guild hosts Santa visits, face painting, hot cocoa, s’mores, train rides, a magic show, and puppies at the Catonsville Clubhouse. Free admission.
Three Projects. One County. A Massive Investment Wave.
There’s a real wave of investment hitting Baltimore County right now. Schools are getting rebuilt from the ground up, historic campuses are transforming to meet modern needs, and long-vacant commercial sites are finally coming back to life.
Three very different projects, but they all point to the same thing: momentum you can feel.
1. A $289 Million New Dulaney High Breaks Ground
Let me tell you, this is a huge win for Timonium. Baltimore County officially broke ground on the brand-new $289 million Dulaney High School, a project families have been fighting for for years. The new building is more than 100,000 square feet larger than the current school and will ease overcrowding with 160 additional seats.
It’ll include outdoor learning spaces, more classrooms, a central cafeteria, and a multipurpose hub. Once it opens in 2029, the old structure will be demolished for expanded parking and athletic fields.
2. Maryland School for the Blind Launches $65.5 Million Transformation
The Maryland School for the Blind just kicked off a massive $65.5 million campus renovation, the largest capital project in its 172-year history. About $62.4 million of that comes from state funding, and trust me, the scale is impressive.
The centerpiece is a brand-new athletics facility with a lap pool, sensory pool, strength room, mat room, and a full “gymnatorium” for events and adaptive PE. Swimming returns to the curriculum for the first time since 2020, complete with full ramp access for water wheelchairs.
The project also includes safer sidewalks, a new changing facility, and a redesigned entrance with electronic gates. Construction is expected to wrap in February 2029.
3. BJ’s Wholesale Club Set to Rebuild a Towson Vacancy
After sitting empty for more than a year, the former 155,000-square-foot Walmart on Putty Hill Ave is finally getting a second act. BJ’s Wholesale Club is moving ahead with plans to redevelop the site, with construction expected to begin in 2027 once Baltimore County approvals are complete.
If timelines hold, the store could open by mid-2028. This is a major economic boost for a corridor that’s been waiting for the right anchor to bring foot traffic and energy back.
The truth is, any time you see a big-box vacancy get filled this quickly, it tells you confidence in the area is running high.
Where do Maryland's ultra-wealthy actually live? I just sold an $8.5M home and I'm revealing the exclusive neighborhoods where Fortune 500 executives, tech founders, and pro athletes call home. From Bethesda to Gibson Island (a private island!), Potomac, and estates reaching $18.5M in Glendon - here's the inside look.
Even with Charm City Lights taking a planned pause until 2026, Maryland is absolutely lit up right now. There are walkable blocks, mile-long car routes, and even hayrides that sell out fast. Trust me, there’s no shortage of spots to take in the glow this season.
The Miracle on 34th Street
This is the Baltimore classic. The Hampden rowhomes light up in a way that’s hard to explain until you see it for yourself. Every homeowner on the block commits to the tradition, and it shows.
Where: 700 block of 34th Street, Baltimore When: Saturday after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day Cost: Free
Merriweather Symphony of Lights
Howard County has been doing this for decades, and it keeps getting bigger. More than 300,000 lights, full holiday scenes, and a one-mile course that’s open for both drivers and walkers on select nights.
Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia When: Nov 28 to Jan 3, most nights for drive-through; limited walk-through dates Cost: $25 per car
Lights on the Bay
If you want something right on the water, this is it. Two miles. Seventy displays. Holiday music on 97.1 FM. You can even grab 3-D glasses at the entrance for an upgraded experience.
Where: Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis When: Nov 23 to Jan 1. Sun–Thu 5-9 pm, Fri–Sat 5-10 pm Cost: $20 per car
Festival of Lights
Upper Marlboro brings the hayride option for anyone who wants something different. Demand is huge and there are zero reschedules, so you need to plan ahead. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your reserved slot.
Where: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro When: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays from Nov 28 to Jan 1, 6-9 pm Cost: $10 per person
Sailing Through the Winter Solstice
Frederick lights up an entire lineup of boats every night from dusk till dawn. Visitors can vote for their favorite by donating five dollars, and the money goes straight to local charities. Twenty-eight boats this season, plus one on land.
Where: Carroll Creek, Frederick When: Nov 22 to Mar 14, 2026 Cost: Free
Baltimore just launched an interactive zoning mapto show how the proposed Housing Options and Opportunities Act could reshape local neighborhoods (down to the block!).
Details
The digital tool allows residents to search their address and see potential zoning changes under the proposed legislation.
Here's what the map shows:
Most homes stay unchanged: The majority of homes are under 1,500 sq. ft. and wouldn’t be affected.
Duplex flexibility: Homes between 1,500–2,250 sq. ft. could add a second unit, if the homeowner chooses.
3–4 unit potential: Homes over 2,250 sq. ft. may be eligible for triplexes or fourplexes, but these are a small slice of the city’s housing stock.
Historical context: Many city blocks already include multifamily buildings, this law would legalize what’s long been part of Baltimore’s housing landscape.
Why it matters
Baltimore residents often face high housing costs and zoning barriers that limit flexibility. This map arms locals with information—and choice. It helps homeowners explore options without a maze of red tape and supports conversations built on facts, not fear.
The big picture
The Housing Options and Opportunities Act, introduced in May by Mayor Brandon Scott, aims to ease outdated zoning rules and expand access to more affordable, diverse housing types. It’s currently under review by the Land Use and Transportation Committee.
Between the lines
This effort aligns with city goals to grow Baltimore’s housing supply without displacing current residents. It also responds to decades-old zoning laws that made it nearly impossible to build anything other than single-family homes in most neighborhoods.
What’s next
The bill has already received positive recommendations from multiple city departments. If passed, it could clear the way for easier property upgrades and more housing diversity across Baltimore.
Baltimore’s market is holding steady with rising prices and moderate competition. The median home sits around $240,000, up 9.1% year over year, with homes getting about two offers and selling in roughly 49 days. It’s a market that rewards strategy and timing, not rushing.
For buyers: You’ve got opportunity here. Fewer sales mean less pressure, and prices are still approachable. Move fast on the homes you love, but don’t be afraid to negotiate.
For sellers: Rising prices work in your favor. Well-presented homes are still pulling in strong interest. Price smart, prep well, and you can capture the momentum in this steady but competitive market.
Featured Listings
3830 Gateway Ter #30, Burtonsville
Spacious 3 bed home with a bright kitchen, cozy living room fireplace, a formal dining room that opens to the deck, and a finished lower level that adds even more space!
Check out this weekend’s holiday markets in Baltimore, Ellicott City, and Annapolis. You’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts, no shipping delays, and way fewer crowds than the mall.
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I'm a real estate expert and team leader sharing insights on the Maryland market, smart home strategies, local lifestyle, and the major developments shaping our communities. Subscribe to my newsletter and stay in the know.
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