The following article has been submitted by Fifth District County Councilman David Marks about traffic issues at the intersection of Ebenezer and Philadelphia roads
On April 8, the Baltimore Business Journal published a story about the marketing of a nine-acre site at Philadelphia and Ebenezer Roads. For some readers, that article gave the impression that development was imminent at this location. It is not. Any permits are likely three years away from approval.
There is a long history associated with this site. It was a car dealership until 2010, when it was purchased by the An-Nur Foundation. For about 15 years, the site was a mosque; I was honored to attend religious ceremonies and other events here when invited by the Foundation.
In 2024, the County Council passed my legislation blocking 320 apartments near the White Marsh library. The mosque moved to that location, which has been a good fit for the Foundation. The old location at Philadelphia Road and Ebenezer Road is now mostly vacant, although it was temporarily leased for storage containers. At our request, the containers are being relocated.
We have been focused on this site for several years. It’s a private property–it will be developed for some purpose—but we share the concerns of many residents about the gridlock that impacts the Ebenezer Road corridor every day.
Here’s what we have done, and will continue to do.
In 2024, at my request, I downzoned thousands of acres throughout the Fifth District to lighten development. Much of the downzoning occurred along the Philadelphia Road corridor. I opposed a rezoning request to allow townhouses at this site.
We are laser-focused on transportation improvements that can alleviate congestion here. The Mohrs Lane Bridge connection will provide another link between Pulaski Highway and Philadelphia Road. It’s been delayed for years, but I am told by the Department of Public Works and Transportation that once final engineering documents are done this May, the process of negotiation, relocation and acquisition of land will take about a year. In short, the Mohrs Lane Bridge connection should be completed well before any construction occurs at Ebenezer and Philadelphia Roads.
We have also written in support of an eastbound connection from Philadelphia Road onto White Marsh Boulevard, a longer-term improvement.
Earlier this year, at my request, the County Council added language to the new Small Area Plan that requires the county to explore transportation improvements at Ebenezer and Philadelphia Roads. Josh Sines, the president of the Essex-Middle River Civic Council, was actively involved in those discussions. Any improvements will likely include widening Ebenezer Road, a county route; already, the State Highway Administration is contemplating a 17-foot deceleration along Philadelphia Road.
We will continue to update the community on the status of transportation improvements here and the overall development of the site. This is a private property that will be developed. Many residents who I speak to support improvements here, but want assurances that transportation improvements will be made first.