SUN: After heralding downtown Baltimore’s revival, Harborplace ages out at 46

BALTIMORE — This is Harborplace’s final spring and summer, should the script go as promised. After nearly 46 years at the corner of Pratt and Light streets, the two pavilions are due for demolition. The property is slated for redevelopment as apartment towers with stores on the ground level.

I stopped by the buildings this week and was surprised on a couple of counts. Physically, the structures seemed to be in good condition. They appeared much as they did on opening day, July 2, 1980. The floor tiles were solid after years of patron pounding. I spotted the original interior lamps, the staircases and the familiar, green trim paint.

A handful of tenants were doing business — certainly not as many as in the days when it was a pleasant bazaar of shops, restaurants and even vendor carts. The surviving shops held enough inventory to satisfy the tourists who wanted Baltimore- and Maryland- themed merchandise to take home after a visit.

The presentation was not shabby. The sellers seemed to be trying to give it a real effort.

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