Details have emerged regarding the construction of a new headquarters for the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED), this project, which is part of the Reservoir Square redevelopment initiative, will consolidate various services into a single centralized One-Stop Career Center. The new facility is expected to open its doors in early 2026 and aims to streamline the city's employment services while saving on costs and making these services more readily accessible to residents, according to a recent statement released by the Office of Mayor Brandon M. Scott.
Slated for the reimagined 800 block of West North Avenue, the old Madison Park North apartment complex is where the MOED's new headquarters will spring up. Acting as a linchpin for the neighborhood's revitalization, this 8.1-acre redevelopment zone will feature not just the new MOED building but also new homes and businesses. Garnering a $16 million investment from public coffers, the project will leverage additional funds, amounting to nearly $21.5 million in financing and approximately $4 million in New Market Tax Credits, as indicated in a press release.
At nearly 63,000 square feet, the four-story building will feature career-building classrooms, collaborative workspaces, and advanced technological learning labs. Located strategically on the CityLink Gold route and near Penn North station, the building emphasizes energy efficiency and accessibility. According to a press release, MacKenzie Garvin, Esq, MOED Director stated, "We are excited to launch our new headquarters and continue our legacy of delivering economic justice to Baltimore's job seekers and empowering our employer partners."
The innovative lease-purchase agreement in place will allow the city to lease the building with an option to purchase at the end of the 32-year term. This strategy supports long-term investment and makes use of New Markets Tax Credits, thereby ensuring the project's economic viability and community benefit. The project will be up for approval during the Board of Estimates meeting on August 7.
