of the community — house music will bring one crowd , while Latin dance brings another . It ’ s been wonderful to see how different genres attract people from across the city . We recently worked with C . J . Phillips , a Baltimorean who lived and performed in New York for years on Broadway , to curate a day full of dance performances — it was magical . We work closely with local producers , like John Tyler , Brad Kolodner , Wendel Patrick , Todd Marcus and many others , to curate these events , and we ’ re already planning to expand the series next year . We want to continue bringing new voices and artists to the stage , while also helping build up Baltimore ’ s vibrant arts scene .
As Baltimore continues to gain momentum as a destination for both visitors and residents , what are your long-term visions for the waterfront ’ s role in Baltimore ’ s ongoing transformation ?
The waterfront has always been Baltimore ’ s front door — a central gathering place for celebrations , from Ravens victories to Fourth of July fireworks . My vision for the future is to enhance that role by making the waterfront even more welcoming and sustainable . We ’ re working closely with the city on rebuilding the Inner Harbor promenade , elevating it to address flooding issues and adding more park space , shade and amenities . This redevelopment will not only create a more resilient waterfront but also give people even more reasons to visit and spend time here . One of the most exciting developments we ’ re working on right now is the new Rash Field Kayak Launch , which we ’ re aiming to open next spring . We are incredibly grateful to the Tourism
Improvement District ( TID ) for their generous support , most notably the $ 100,000 funding that made the kayak launch possible . Without that support , along with being mentioned in the New York Times ’ “ 52 Places to Go ” and People ’ s “ 100 Reasons to Love America ,” we wouldn ’ t be able to provide this new amenity for both locals and travelers who want to explore the Baltimore Blueway . There ’ s so much potential , and I ’ m excited to see how the waterfront will keep driving Baltimore ’ s growth , both as a place to visit and to live .
What are some of the things that have impacted you personally through the work you ’ ve done with Waterfront Partnership , and what are you most looking forward to in the years ahead ?
My work with Waterfront Partnership has deeply impacted me on both a personal and professional level . Seeing the tangible results of our efforts — whether it ’ s the joyful faces of families at Rash Field or the excitement around our Swimmable Harbor initiative — has been incredibly fulfilling . It ’ s a privilege to work on projects that not only improve the waterfront but also enhance the lives of the people in our community . What I ’ m most excited about moving forward is continuing to build a waterfront that reflects the vibrancy and resilience of Baltimore . We ’ ve made such great strides , and I ’ m looking forward to the next chapter , particularly with the redevelopment of the promenade and expanding programs that bring more of the community together . It ’ s a very exciting time for Baltimore , and I can ’ t wait to see what ’ s next .
32 VISIT BALTIMORE