Design Baltimore: Gateways Competition 2026
Reimagining the Front Doors to Baltimore
The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), in partnership with the City of Baltimore, invites artists, architects, designers, planners, engineers, students, community organizations, and multidisciplinary teams to participate in the Design Baltimore: Gateways Competition.
A citywide design challenge seeking bold, innovative, and implementable ideas that transform Baltimore's primary vehicular gateways into iconic arrival experiences that celebrate the city's identity, history, culture, and future.
"Welcome to Baltimore."
Competition Corridors
Participants may submit proposals for one or more of the following gateway corridors. Teams may submit separate concepts for multiple corridors or develop one unified citywide gateway strategy.
Competition Goals
Showcase the city's industrial heritage, maritime history, cultural creativity, innovation economy, neighborhoods, and civic pride.
Design iconic landmarks and visual moments that establish a strong sense of place.
Enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connectivity while improving traffic calming and accessibility.
Create welcoming environments that connect adjacent neighborhoods and encourage local engagement.
Propose ideas capable of implementation within public rights-of-way and compatible with agency requirements.
Incorporate durable materials, manageable maintenance plans, and sustainable design practices.
Who Can Apply?
- · Artists
- · Architects
- · Urban Designers
- · Landscape Architects
- · Engineers
- · Graphic Designers
- · Industrial Designers
- · Students
- · Community Development Corporations
- · Nonprofits
- · Design Firms
- · Planning Organizations
- · Educational Institutions
Multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged. Teams may include:
- · Artists
- · Community Leaders
- · Transportation Professionals
- · Students
- · Architects
- · Historians
- · Fabricators
- · Technologists
Students are encouraged to participate. Eligible student teams may represent universities, colleges, community colleges, trade schools, and high schools (with faculty sponsor). Special recognition awards may be provided for outstanding student submissions.
Design Priorities
Create a bold, recognizable, and distinctly Baltimore gateway experience.
Improve crossings, accessibility, walkability, transit access, and bicycle safety.
Integrate murals, sculpture, lighting, graphics, landscaping, and environmental storytelling.
Provide practical solutions capable of being constructed and maintained.
Address long-term maintenance, weather resilience, and operational considerations.
Reflect Baltimore's diverse neighborhoods, histories, cultures, and people.
Design Toolkit
Participants may incorporate — innovative ideas beyond this toolkit are welcome.
Submission Requirements
Maximum 500 words. Must include:
- · Project Vision
- · Design Concept
- · Community Impact
- · Gateway Strategy
- · Implementation Approach
- · Team Background
Maximum two (2) boards · 24" × 36" · Landscape orientation · PDF format.
Boards may include:
- · Site Plans
- · Renderings
- · Perspectives
- · Diagrams
- · Material Samples
- · Precedent Images
- · Illustrations
Identify Russell Street, Conway Street, President Street, or any combination thereof.
- · Team Lead
- · Team Members
- · Organization
- · Contact Information
- · Relevant Experience
- · Baltimore-Based Participation
Optional Submission Materials
Preliminary construction budget.
Short-, medium-, and long-term implementation roadmap.
Maximum 2 minutes.
Letters of support from community associations, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and stakeholders.
Competition Schedule
| Competition Launch | June 8, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Information Sessions | June – July 2026 |
| Site Tours | June – July 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | August 15, 2026 · 11:59 PM EST |
| Jury Review Deadline | September 17, 2026 (review Aug 16 – Sept 17) |
| Public Exhibition | October 18 – November 30, 2026 |
| Winner Announcement | October 15, 2026 |
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Weight |
|---|---|
| Design Excellence & Creativity | 25% |
| Baltimore Identity & Cultural Resonance | 20% |
| Pedestrian Safety & Multimodal Integration | 20% |
| Implementability & Feasibility | 20% |
| Inclusivity & Community Benefit | 15% |
Awards
(Award amounts subject to final sponsor confirmation.)
Rules & Regulations
All submissions must be original work created by the submitting individual or team.
Participants retain ownership of their concepts. By submitting, entrants grant the Baltimore Development Corporation the right to exhibit, publish, and promote submissions, and to use images and materials for educational and marketing purposes.
AI tools may be used for concept development and visualization. Teams must disclose AI-generated content. Final concepts must represent the team's original ideas. Copyright compliance remains the responsibility of entrants.
BDC reserves the right to disqualify submissions that violate copyright laws, include offensive or discriminatory content, fail to meet submission requirements, or contain false information.
Winning proposals may require modifications to satisfy MDOT, State Highway Administration, Baltimore City DOT, utility agencies, and public safety requirements.
Jurors, competition administrators, and immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
All jury decisions are final.
We are not simply seeking public art. We are seeking transformational ideas that create civic pride, welcome visitors, connect neighborhoods, improve safety, inspire investment, celebrate Baltimore's story, and become lasting symbols of the city.
Design Baltimore: Gateways is an opportunity to help shape how millions of people experience Baltimore for generations to come.