Design Baltimore: Gateways
Timeline

Master timeline & 90-day plan

Three views of the same schedule — at-a-glance dates, a detailed eight-phase narrative, and the 30/60/90 day execution plan — so every stakeholder can engage with the timeline in the way that works best.

Design Baltimore: Gateways project timeline infographic showing nine milestones from June 8 portal launch through the October–November public exhibition.
Project timeline · at-a-glance graphic

At-a-glance schedule

Every public milestone, top to bottom.

DateMilestone
June 8, 2026Portal / landing page launch
June 23, 2026Public technical engagement (in-person)
June 25, 2026Public technical engagement (virtual)
July 1, 2026Partner assets released
July 8, 2026Public site tours
August 15, 2026Submissions deadline
Aug 16 – Sept 17, 2026Jury review (deadline Sept 17)
October 8, 2026Top 12 presentations & celebration
October 15, 2026Live-streamed winners announcement
Oct 18 – Nov 30, 2026Public exhibition
2027Phase 2 design-build implementation
Detailed narrative

Eight phases, June through November

From portal launch through the public exhibition closing out 2026.

  1. 1
    Phase 1 · Launch & Public Awareness
    June 8, 2026

    Portal / Landing Page Launch

    • Competition website goes live
    • Program overview, timeline, eligibility, and submission details available
    • Public sign-up and information collection begins
  2. 2
    Phase 2 · Community Engagement & Input
    June 23 & June 25, 2026

    Public Technical Engagement Sessions

    • June 23 — In-person session: project overview, design challenge briefing, community input
    • June 25 — Virtual session for broader participation
    • Recording and resources shared with interested participants
  3. 3
    Phase 3 · Recruitment & Outreach
    July 1, 2026

    Partner Asset Distribution

    • Marketing toolkit released to partners
    • Social graphics, flyers, email templates, and outreach materials distributed
    • Active recruitment campaign begins
  4. 4
    Phase 4 · Site Exploration
    July 8, 2026

    Open Public Site Tours

    • Russell Street · Conway Street · President Street
    • Visit project locations, ask questions, and gain context on site conditions
  5. 5
    Phase 5 · Submissions & Jury Review
    Aug 15 – Sept 17, 2026

    Submission Deadline & Jury Evaluation

    • Submissions deadline: August 15, 2026 · 11:59 PM EST
    • Jury review runs August 16 – September 17, 2026
    • Jury review deadline: September 17, 2026
    • Evaluation based on established design criteria
  6. 6
    Phase 6 · Finalist Selection
    October 8, 2026

    Top 12 Presentations & Celebration

    • Finalists present concepts to the jury and public audience
    • Community celebration and networking event
    • Jury deliberations conclude; final selections determined
  7. 7
    Phase 7 · Winner Announcement
    October 15, 2026

    Live-Streamed Winners Announcement

    • Official announcement of selected designs
    • Recognition of finalists and participants
    • Public unveiling of winning concepts
  8. 8
    Phase 8 · Public Exhibition
    Oct 18 – Nov 30, 2026

    Design Baltimore Gateways Exhibition

    • Public exhibition showcasing winning and finalist submissions
    • Community engagement and educational programming
    • Celebration of Baltimore's creative talent and design vision
The Plan

First 90 days

How we move from kickoff through a clean launch and into evaluation.

01
First 30 Days

Foundation & Alignment

Goal: Establish structure, clarity, and momentum before launch.

  • Kickoff working session with Rodney and Roy to align on scope, roles, and immediate priorities
  • Review all existing materials: competition brief, BCT concept study, workback schedule, partner landscape
  • Finalize master project plan and critical path timeline
  • Confirm stakeholder map and engagement ownership
  • Stand up tracking systems: milestones, risks, communications cadence
  • Identify gaps, dependencies, and pressure points ahead of June 8th launch
  • Begin outreach coordination with City agency and community partners
Success = Team aligned, plan locked, no ambiguity heading into launch.
02
Days 31–60

Execution & Activation

Goal: Drive a clean competition launch and build strong participation momentum.

  • Support all June 8th launch logistics: portal, materials, communications rollout
  • Coordinate technical engagement sessions (June 23 in-person, June 25 virtual) and public site tours (July 8)
  • Release partner asset toolkit (July 1) and activate recruitment campaign
  • Manage FAQ process and participant communications
  • Ensure stakeholder alignment and accountability across BDC, City, and partners
  • Begin planning for jury process, review logistics, and panel coordination
  • Identify visibility and strategic partnership opportunities
Success = Strong launch, robust participation pipeline, zero operational breakdowns.
03
Days 61–90

Optimization & Delivery

Goal: Ensure quality execution through the evaluation and selection phase.

  • Oversee submission intake through the August 15 deadline
  • Coordinate jury review materials and deliberation logistics (Aug 16 – Sept 17)
  • Support selection process, internal alignment, and panel communications
  • Plan Top 12 finalist event (Oct 8), live-streamed winners announcement (Oct 15), and exhibition (Oct 18 – Nov 30)
  • Begin early Phase 2 transition planning and design-build procurement prep
Success = Smooth evaluation, strong outcomes, clear path to Phase 2.