Daily Briefing

A Philadelphia-based architecture and planning firm, Wallace Roberts & Todd, has been hired to complete a "highest and best-use analysis" of the 185-space parking lot north of Pennsylvania Station in Baltimore, property that is considered a key to revitalization of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District. Representatives for Amtrak, the agency that owns the train station and parking lot, disclosed this week that WRT was selected over 14 other groups that offered to complete the planning study. WRT was an early planner of Baltimore's revitalized Inner Harbor area. Its recommendations for the 1.5-acre Amtrak lot, known as the Lanvale site, are due by fall.

- Edward Gunts

GM sells Saab to Swedish carmaker Koenigsegg

Bankrupt General Motors Corp. has found a buyer for Saab, unloading the last major piece of the shrinking automaker's empire that had been on the block. The brand will be bought by Swedish carmaker Koenigsegg Group, known for making $1.2 million super-cars. A price was not disclosed, although GM said the acquisition would be bolstered by $600 million in financing from the European Investment Bank, backed by the government of Sweden. GM said it would provide additional support to help Koenigsegg take over Saab and complete work on vehicles in development. GM already has named buyers for Hummer and Saturn.

- Los Angeles Times