Harbor Development

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke announced yesterday that he has decided to merge Baltimore's two quasi-public economic-development agencies, the Baltimore Economic Development Corp. and Center City-Inner Harbor Development Inc., by July 1.The idea has been under study since November. It was seen in part as a cost-saving measure, but the mayor said yesterday that he is convinced it also will provide a more effective way to promote the continued investment by businesses in Baltimore.David W. Gillece, BEDCO president and acting head of Center City-Inner Harbor, will head the as-yet-unnamed agency.

ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. William Donald Schaefer said yesterday that Baltimore's mayor and business leaders should join the state in writing a new master plan for development of the Inner Harbor near the vacant Power Plant and bankrupt Brokerage complex."

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke has asked David Gillece, president of Baltimore Economic Development Corp., to explore merging BEDCO with Center City-Inner Harbor Development Inc. Both are quasi-public development agencies.The mayor yesterday appointed Gillece as acting president of Center City.The move comes after the resignation of long-time Center City head Albert M. Copp, who left the agency in September after receiving harsh criticism from City Council members and others for the agency's allegedly secretive operating style and poor handling of several downtown development projects.

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke took a step yesterday toward merging the city's two major downtown development groups into a single agency.The mayor has asked David M. Gillece, president of Baltimore Economic Development Corp., to look at the feasibility of merging BEDCO and Center City-Inner Harbor Development Corp.Center City-Inner Harbor Development was created last year by combining the operations of Charles Center Inner Harbor Management Corp., which was responsible for development around the Inner Harbor, and Market Center Development Corp.

Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke today announced the appointment of David Gillece, president of Baltimore Economic Development Corp., as acting president of Center City-Inner Harbor Development Inc. and asked him to explore merging the two quasi-public development agencies.The move comes after the resignation of long-time Center City head Albert M. Copp, who left the agency in September after receiving harsh criticism from City Council members and others for the agency's allegedly secretive operating style and poor handling of several downtown development projects.