Pimlico Study: Maryland Stadium Authority Suggests $424M Rebuild

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Stadium Authority has recommended rebuilding the Pimlico Race Course. The estimated cost for the project is more than $400 million.

The Maryland Stadium Authority provided the caveat that its recommendations after studying options for the future of the racing facility were hypothetical. Plans outlined in its more than 100-page report were ideas for the venue owned by the Maryland Jockey Club and The Strachan Group and were not to be considered a feasibility study, according to the stadium authority.

Pimlico Race Course opened in 1870 and is best known for hosting the Preakness Stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.

The Maryland Stadium Authority recommended demolishing all structures at the site, including the clubhouse, infield, grandstand, race tracks, barns and other infrastructure, in its analysis released on Thursday, Dec. 13.

The capital improvements were estimated to be cost about $424 million.

• Demolition and site clearing: $21.5 million
• Infrastructure, utilities and site improvements: $120.5 million
• Tracks and infield: $29.6 million
• Multi-use clubhouse: $252.2 million

The construction would last approximately three years.

The stadium authority was given the assignment of managing the Pimlico Race Course Study through a memorandum of understanding with the Maryland Racing Commission and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Its goal was to provide an objective and thorough analysis.

In its report, the stadium authority suggested making Pimlico a year-round attraction.

During the non-racing season, the Maryland Stadium Authority suggested the following activities and uses for space at the facility:

• Infield could be used for athletics and entertainment.
• Clubhouse could contain a racing museum and double as a conference center for civic events and activities like eSports, drone racing and offtrack betting.
• Plaza area (The Palio) could house concerts, festivals, markets and performing arts.

Read the study.

(Main photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

SEE ALSO: Baltimore County Lawmaker Proposes Moving Preakness