BDC/BOPA Issue RFP For Pier Six Concert Pavilion

Baltimore, MD (March 23, 2005) – The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) and Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) today issued a Request for Proposals for companies experienced in facilities construction management and the promotion/production of live entertainment for the Pier Six Concert Pavilion in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

The goals of BDC/BOPA in offering this RFP include: a) providing a range of affordable, family-oriented live entertainment events for Baltimore area residents and tourists; b) upgrading or replacing the existing facility with a state-of-the art and architecturally attractive outdoor pavilion; c) to maximize the number of live events and extend the use of the pavilion for a longer season (accommodating alternative uses); d) enhance the patron experience with quality and affordable food and beverage service; e) participate in cross promotional and marketing efforts with other attractions, retailers and hotels; and f) provide an escalating and auditable stream of revenue to Baltimore City and provide job and training opportunities for Baltimore City residents.

The Pier Six Concert Pavilion, a tensile structure built in 1981 and substantially renovated in 1991 as a permanent facility, has played host to some of the biggest names in the entertainment business, from rock to jazz and from R&B to classical, while providing concert goers with a panoramic view of Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor. The pavilion, which is surrounded on three sides by water, is located at the end of Pier 6. To the east, across the lower Jones Falls Channel, is the Marriott Waterfront Hotel. The Pier 5 Hotel is to the west. To the north are a surface parking lot and the Columbus Center. The pavilion is within walking distance to more than 4,000 hotel rooms and dozens of museums and attractions clustered around the Inner Harbor, such as Harborplace, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, the Maryland Science Center, Power Plant and Power Plant Live, Harbor East and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture.

The concert pavilion averaged 24 public shows per season in the past 10 years with a high of 32 shows in 1995. In 2004, the total number of paid attendees was approximately 30,000 with an average per show of 1,800 people. The most commonly booked music genres (in order) over the past 10 years have been: pop/soft rock, R&B, country, alternative/folk, blues, jazz/contemporary, world, comedy and classic/orchestral.

For further information regarding this offering, contact Andrew Frank, BDC Executive Vice President/Interim Inner Harbor Coordinator at 410-837-9305. A complete copy of the RFP can be downloaded from BDC’s website at www.baltimoredevelopment.com.

All proposals, accompanied by a $250.00 non-refundable check, are due no later than 12:00 noon on Monday, June 6, 2005 at the offices of the Baltimore Development Corporation, 36 S. Charles Street, Suite 1600, Baltimore, MD 21201.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT:
Tracy Baskerville, BOPA
443-263-4310