Judge blocks ballot question for Baltimore Inner Harbor redevelopment

An Anne Arundel County judge has ruled that a key ballot question regarding the redevelopment of Baltimore's Inner Harbor is unconstitutional. This decision affects Question F, which sought voter approval for rezoning parts of the Inner Harbor to facilitate a mixed-use development by MCB Real Estate. The ruling means that even if the question appears on the November ballot, its results will not be valid. The Maryland State Board of Elections has the option to appeal this ruling to the Maryland Supreme Court. The redevelopment plan, which is estimated to cost nearly a billion dollars, has faced significant opposition from a group known as the Inner Harbor Coalition. This group, represented by attorney Thiru Vignarajah, previously attempted to place their own ballot question to block the project but did not gather enough signatures. They argue that the wording of Question F is misleading and favors the developer. The ruling has sparked criticism from local officials, including Baltimore City councilmember Eric Costello, who expressed disappointment that voters were denied a chance to voice their opinions on such a significant project. The Mayor's Office has expressed confidence that the state will appeal the ruling and ultimately prevail, describing the legal challenge as an attempt to obstruct the redevelopment efforts. MCB Real Estate has not publicly commented on the ruling but has previously highlighted its commitment to transparency and community engagement throughout the planning process. The outcome of the appeal could have major implications for the future of the Inner Harbor and the proposed redevelopment plans.