It seems to be the consensus here that the Port Covington project has been a colossal failure. Much more retail was originally planned for here..the infrastructure was put in place for it...but it never got built and probably never will. It's obvious when I shop there that the patronage is far lower than most other Wal Marts. I think part of the reason is that its relatively difficult to get in and out of, and that the location is perceived to be unsafe.

When this project was planned over 10 years ago, I don't think most realized we were building on prime real estate. I think it should have been built closer to McComas St. and the waterfront developed as residential.

It's not unprecedented that major retailers would throw in the towel after a short time...Sears built a brand new store at Owings Mills in 1999 and closed it only 2 years later and tore an almost brand new building down.

I think this Wal Marts' days are numbered...it may go on for a few more years, but look for a better project for this property to come along very soon.

Thoughts?

that would make sense, since Wal-Mart has been making a habit out of leaving their crumbling, cheaply constructed boxes all over the landscape, while they gleefully move on to the next municipality to bilk for tax incentives.

I've never been to the Port Covington Wal-Mart, nor am I familiar with the area, but my experience is that Wal-Marts are the same everywhere, so I'll throw in my two cents on that basis. I'd like to see the Wal-Mart go, simply because I don't care for Wal-Marts. I think their detriments to the community outweigh the benefits. Nevertheless, I wonder if it might be better for it to hang around a few more years until someone else is seriously ready to develop the property into something more beneficial. I wouldn't want to see the community lose the services that Wal-mart provides without a suitable replacement. Perhaps once Westport gets underway, eyes will start to wonder to Port Covington.

^Agree with Peter, here.

I don't see the PC WM as a "collassal failure". It may not get as busy as others, but seriously doubt it is hurting. As I said it the other posts, it's just like everyother Wal-Mart (except on the water!):nuts:

I would say the enitre PC site is a collassal failure of urban development. How horribly misplanned. Fortunately, parking lots are easy to redevelop. :)

Nate

I've only been to the Port Covington Walmart once. I've spoken with several people that didn't even know about the Port Covington location. Because of its location I don't even think that it gets alot of business. At least not as much business as the one in Towson, Whitemarsh, etc... Whether or not they stay there is very questionable.

Having never really been to Port Covington much, is there anything else around there other than the Wal Mart? Isn't Nick's Fish House on the water right around that area? That's the closest I've come to seeing any of the area.

If closing the PC Walmart is necessary to further enhance the site, I would recommend it. That's a nice piece of land for future development. I haven't been in that area in a while so idk if the Sam's Club is still there. If so, is there plans for that to close as well? Also, wouldn't the closing of both change the final destination spot for the 27 bus?

I say get rid of the Wal-Mart.

But only once city planners have figured out some other useful replacement.

Like a 16 screen stadium seating movie theater perhaps.

Or arena...

^^.......perhaps. the BDC definitely has something in store for an arena in the near future, though. i can say that it's almost guaranteed.

^^ I agree. A new arena seems to be the kind of project that the city can't sit on forever. Eventually, it'll have to get done. City residents will ask for it, and it will also be essential to the city if it hopes to jump to the next tier. An arena is also useful in getting suburbanites into the city to show off how much the city has changed in recent years. Perhaps we should start an arena-related thread in the new forum ;)

I think Port Covington may be a great spot to put a new arena. If we're lucky to knock down the current arena and build a new one there, imagine the opportunity we mave have to put a supertall at the arena's former site. Let me not get ahead of myself. This could be wishful thinking on my part.

Peter, not only shall we start an arena-related thread, we may indeed start a Hilton Hotel one, a 10 IH one, a 300 E. Pratt one, a West Port one, a Canton Crossing one, a Four Seasons one, a Pratt Street one... if you catch my drift.

They need to get rid of Wally world (as they did with the Sam's Club building and make and educational center (LEED contructed) or SOMETHING that provides tangible and value for the city because it's been a wasteland ever since Wally and Sam showed up.

They'd need to put in something really significant to anchor the site since it's such a lousy location (cut off from the city because of the interstate and the rail yard)... if Walmart couldn't do it, I dunno what can.

New arena

That would be ideal :cheers:

They'd need to put in something really significant to anchor the site since it's such a lousy location (cut off from the city because of the interstate and the rail yard)... if Walmart couldn't do it, I dunno what can.

This here

I actually like having the Wal Mart there because between my business and constantly doing work to my house, there are many things I need that they have at a great price. But yes, Port Covington is an embarassing real estate failure. A great waterfront peninsula that has just become a joke. I think the lease of the Wal Mart is part of the reason they haven't completely started over.

I hope something becomes of it, but I doubt anything will happen too soon! I always thought it would be a great spot for a new race track... but that is a lot of state money in a bad economy!

An upgrade of the Glen Burnie WalMart (the one on Ordnance Rd) to a supercenter is in progress and will be completed in a few months. I can see it further siphoning customers from the PC location when it opens.

The grocery store picture in northern AA County will probably get a shake-up when it opens, also. When the Quarterfield Road supercenter opened, at least 4 supermarkets closed in short order...2 Mars, 1 Weis, and a Giant. Since then, ShopRite opened in the old KMart location in Glen Burnie, and SuperFresh closed. The Giant in the Lowes Center seems to be struggling and I think will bite the dust after the supercenter opens.

Not sure the ordnance road Wal-Mart and PC Wal-Mart affect each other much. The Lansdowne Station location is significantly closer to Port Covington, and the quarterfield location is probably the same drive time as Ordnance road.

If the Wal-Mart in Remington gets built, I think that will be their official exit if they aren't kicked out before then.

Who is in control of PC anyway? It is amazing someone can afford to just let it sit in decay like this? The BDC is so quick to kick developers and businesses out of locations, why haven't they done this at PC? Port Covington could be one of the great Mixed Use areas in this entire city, why doesn't the City step up and make that happen sooner than later? It could be a great neighborhood with some Single family homes, some townhomes, some condos, some stores, some businesses, and a huge marina. Kinda like a UPlands with more businesses and no affordable housing.

Who is in control of PC anyway? It is amazing someone can afford to just let it sit in decay like this? The BDC is so quick to kick developers and businesses out of locations, why haven't they done this at PC?

Port Covington is owned by multiple owners. Unless the city takes the land by eminent domain, the owners can sit on it indefinately.

let it go.

knock that ghetto-ass wal-mart down & build an upscale community!!!!:okay: