Mission & History

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We are dedicated to making Baltimore a leading center for life science and technology innovation while working with our neighbors to ensure a strong, vibrant West Baltimore.

Building a Community

The University of Maryland, Baltimore created the University of Maryland BioPark in 2003, extending the University’s campus west of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. with the goal of turning vacant and underutilized land into a robust commercial avenue and bringing economic advancement to the West Baltimore neighborhoods bordering its campus.

Today, the BioPark draws industry-leading firms, serves as a launching point for University spinouts, is home to high-growth early-stage ventures and community-oriented non-profits, provides workforce training programs for residents, and partners with neighbors to revitalize the area.

At full build-out, the BioPark’s 14 acres will consist of 12 buildings totaling two million square feet, parking garages, landscaped parks, and $1 billion of capital investment. Approximately 2,000 people will work in the BioPark.

Over the years, we have worked with the community, Baltimore City, and the State of Maryland to:

• Build and maintain strong community support
• Acquire 14 acres of land
• Develop seven projects:
  • Three multi-company lab and office research buildings: 800 W. Baltimore St., 801 W. Baltimore St., and 4MLK
  • One multi-company office building -- a redevelopment of the historic manufacturing facility, the Lion Brothers Building -- that houses community-focused organizations
  • The State of Maryland’s Forensic Medical Center
  • The Maryland Proton Treatment Center
  • A parking garage
• Convert a historic fire station into a commercial retail space
• Purchase and rehab a historic building to house UMB’s Community Engagement Center
• Bring more than 1,000 jobs to West Baltimore
• Generate over $450 million in capital investment