He said the problem is that the spaces are usually not big enough for large retailers and that the Pratt Street plan would open up such spaces.
Cordish said he is concerned with traffic on Pratt Street, which he said is bad. "It's the main artery of Baltimore City," he said. "It's crucial that you not make it any worse than it already is. I'm petrified they're going to make a bad traffic situation worse."
Fowler said traffic was studied intensively for eight months and planners decided against making Pratt two-way for fear of worsening traffic. "Not much is changing," he said. "You're not really losing anything."
The one change would be a bike path separated from the rest of the travel lanes by a median strip. It would replace an orange barrier that currently separates the car lanes from Harborplace, Fowler said.
That serves as a crucial service lane for businesses such as Power Plant, said Cordish. Delivery and emergency services, and buses to the aquarium use that lane, he said. "You can't afford to eliminate that," Cordish said. "You eliminate it, you're going to put businesses out of business."
General Growth Properties, which owns Harborplace and The Gallery, expressed support for the Pratt Street plans.
"General Growth Properties has a vested interest in the continued success and growth of downtown," Christopher S. Schardt, senior general manager of Harborplace and The Gallery, said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with all the city agencies to create the most outstanding experience for the city's residents and visitors who come downtown every day."
