NEIGHBORS SAY THIS DAY HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. THEY’RE WILLING TO PUT UP WITH THE NOISE OF THE CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE A NEW PIMLICO WILL BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE PARK HEIGHTS AREA. IT’S DEMOLITION DAY AT PIMLICO. THE FIRST THING TO GO ARE THE STABLES. NEIGHBORS SAY IT’S BITTERSWEET SEEING THE PREAKNESS AS A LITTLE GIRL. AND TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THAT. THE CHANGES THAT’S COMING THROUGH. JUST WANTED TO CATCH IT ON CAMERA BECAUSE IT’S A LOT OF MEMORIES. IT’S SOMETHING THAT I’VE BEEN PROMISING LONG, LONG TIME AGO TO DO. AND NEIGHBORS SAY WATCHING THE DEMOLITION GET UNDERWAY IS A WELCOME SIGHT. THEY SAY IT WILL HELP WITH THE OVERALL REVITALIZATION OF THE PARK HEIGHTS COMMUNITY. WE ARE HAPPY BECAUSE IT’S GOING TO BE A LOT OF BUSINESS GOING ON. THE CONSTRUCTION IS GOING TO BE FOR A WHILE UNTIL 2027, BUT THAT’S OKAY. WE CAN TAKE IT. YEAH, WE’RE HAPPY. THAT BRINGS JOB OPPORTUNITIES, DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS AREA. SO IT’S SADDENING TO SEE IT GO, BUT IT’S ALSO A NEW BEGINNING THAT COULD LEAD TO A WHOLE LOT MORE. THE RENOVATION COMES WITH A $400 MILLION PRICE TAG AND INVESTMENT. SOME IN THE MARYLAND LEGISLATURE SAY IS WORTH IT, GIVEN THE STATE’S FISCAL SITUATION. NOBODY TRIED TO DISTURB THIS MONEY THIS PAST SESSION. THAT DEMONSTRATED TO ME THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT SUPPORT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THIS PROJECT. THE PREAKNESS STAKES WILL BE HELD IN LAUREL DURING CONSTRUCTION, BUT WILL RETURN TO THE NEW AND IMPROVED PIMLICO IN 2027. IT’S HISTORICAL, IT’S LIFE CHANGING, AND WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD FOR THE CHANGES THAT’S COMING TOWARDS US. THE MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY SENT US A STATEMENT ON THE DEMOLITION THURSDAY, WRITING THIS IS A PIVOTAL STEP IN TRANSFORMING PIMLICO INTO A YEAR ROUND RACING VENUE. THE PROJECT WILL BRING ECONOMIC GROWTH TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY AND SOLIDIFY MARYLAND’S REPUTATION AS A TOP TIER SPORTS TOURISM DESTINATION.
‘A new beginning’: Park Heights residents sad, excited as demolition at Pimlico gets underway
Updated: 2:44 PM EDT Jul 24, 2025
Thursday was demolition day at the Pimlico Racing Facility as crews began taking down the stables to make way for a new facility. In May, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a demolition contract for Pimlico that will make the Northwest Baltimore facility the universe of Maryland horse racing. The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority created the redevelopment plan that’s now written into state law.Neighbors said it has been a long time coming, but it’s still bittersweet.”Seeing the Preakness as a little girl, and growing through all that, the changes that (are) coming through, just wanted to catch it on camera — because it’s a lot of memories,” said Tabitha Chambers.Chambers, who has lived in the neighborhood her whole life, went out to see for herself.”It’s something they have been promising for a long, long time,” said Hazel Hylton, who lives across the street. Neighbors said watching the demolition get underway is a welcome sight, as it will help with the overall revitalization of the Park Heights community.”We are happy, because it’s going to be a lot of business going on,” said Joyce, a nearby resident for 10 years. “The construction’s OK. It’s going to be awhile until 2027, but that’s OK. We can take it, so we’re happy.”| MORE: What will the new Pimlico look like? 11 News examines the transformation plan”That brings job opportunities, development within this area, so it’s saddening to see it go, but it’s also a new beginning that could lead to a whole lot more,” Chambers said.The renovation comes with a $400 million price tag — an investment some in the Maryland legislature believe is worth it.”Given the state’s fiscal situation, nobody tried to disturb this money this past session,” said Baltimore City Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, D-District 41. “That demonstrated to me that there was sufficient support in the general assembly for this project.”The Preakness Stakes will be held in Laurel during construction, but will return to the renovated Pimlico in 2027.”It’s historical. It’s life changing,” Chambers said. “We’re looking forward to the changes that (are) coming toward us.”In a statement to 11 News on Thursday’s demolition, the Maryland Stadium Authority said: “This is a pivotal step in transforming Pimlico into a year-round racing venue. The project will bring economic growth to the surrounding community and solidify Maryland’s reputation as a top-tier sports tourism destination.”The plan for the new facility is to host more than 100 race days each year.
BALTIMORE —
Thursday was demolition day at the Pimlico Racing Facility as crews began taking down the stables to make way for a new facility.
In May, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a demolition contract for Pimlico that will make the Northwest Baltimore facility the universe of Maryland horse racing. The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority created the redevelopment plan that’s now written into state law.
Neighbors said it has been a long time coming, but it’s still bittersweet.
“Seeing the Preakness as a little girl, and growing through all that, the changes that (are) coming through, just wanted to catch it on camera — because it’s a lot of memories,” said Tabitha Chambers.
Chambers, who has lived in the neighborhood her whole life, went out to see for herself.
“It’s something they have been promising for a long, long time,” said Hazel Hylton, who lives across the street.
Neighbors said watching the demolition get underway is a welcome sight, as it will help with the overall revitalization of the Park Heights community.
“We are happy, because it’s going to be a lot of business going on,” said Joyce, a nearby resident for 10 years. “The construction’s OK. It’s going to be awhile until 2027, but that’s OK. We can take it, so we’re happy.”
| MORE: What will the new Pimlico look like? 11 News examines the transformation plan
“That brings job opportunities, development within this area, so it’s saddening to see it go, but it’s also a new beginning that could lead to a whole lot more,” Chambers said.
The renovation comes with a $400 million price tag — an investment some in the Maryland legislature believe is worth it.
“Given the state’s fiscal situation, nobody tried to disturb this money this past session,” said Baltimore City Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, D-District 41. “That demonstrated to me that there was sufficient support in the general assembly for this project.”
The Preakness Stakes will be held in Laurel during construction, but will return to the renovated Pimlico in 2027.
“It’s historical. It’s life changing,” Chambers said. “We’re looking forward to the changes that (are) coming toward us.”
In a statement to 11 News on Thursday’s demolition, the Maryland Stadium Authority said: “This is a pivotal step in transforming Pimlico into a year-round racing venue. The project will bring economic growth to the surrounding community and solidify Maryland’s reputation as a top-tier sports tourism destination.”
The plan for the new facility is to host more than 100 race days each year.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.