The redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course represents more than a new racing facility. It is an opportunity to connect public investment, economic development, community leadership and resident participation around a shared vision for the future of Park Heights.
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, residents and community stakeholders are invited to attend the Pimlico Race Course Redevelopment Public Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sinai Hospital’s Zamoiski Auditorium, located at 2401 W. Belvedere Avenue.
The meeting will bring together the Maryland Stadium Authority, Maryland Economic Development Corporation, Maryland Jockey Club, Pimlico Community Advisory Board, Clark Construction and Ayers Saint Gross to provide updates on the redevelopment and the future of Maryland racing. The meeting will also be available virtually.
For Park Heights, this moment demonstrates the importance of collective impact: government agencies, community organizations, residents, businesses and institutional partners working toward shared outcomes that strengthen the entire neighborhood.
“The Preakness has always belonged to Park Heights in spirit, and today we’re celebrating a future where our community can help steward that legacy for generations to come,” said Yolanda Jiggetts, CEO of Park Heights Renaissance. “This is bigger than horse racing—it’s about ensuring that one of Maryland’s most iconic events continues to be an economic driver for the residents, businesses, and families who call Park Heights home.”
A Major Investment with Neighborhood-Level Impact
In 2024, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue $400 million in bonds for the redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course. State officials project that the new facility will support more than 500 jobs and transition Pimlico from approximately 15 racing days each year to the permanent home of Maryland Thoroughbred racing, with more than 100 racing days annually.
Maryland’s Thoroughbred racing industry currently supports more than 28,000 jobs and has generated an estimated $3 billion in economic impact. With substantially more activity planned at Pimlico throughout the year, the redevelopment has the potential to become a consistent economic anchor for Park Heights, surrounding communities and Baltimore City.
That potential includes opportunities for local hiring, workforce development, small-business participation, tourism, neighborhood investment and partnerships that extend beyond the gates of the race course.
The State of Maryland has also announced its intention to match an $85 million offer to acquire the intellectual-property rights to the Preakness Stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan. The move would place Pimlico Race Course, management of the Preakness and the racing events’ intellectual property under Maryland’s control, giving the state a stronger role in determining how these assets are managed and how their economic value is leveraged in the future.
Connecting Pimlico to the Broader Park Heights Vision
The redevelopment is taking place alongside other major investments intended to improve outcomes for Park Heights families.
Through the ENOUGH Initiative, the State of Maryland has provided nearly $3 million to revitalization efforts led by Park Heights Renaissance. Park Heights is one of 27 ENOUGH communities implementing evidence-backed strategies to improve the well-being of children and families, including revitalizing vacant properties, addressing food insecurity and strengthening educational resources for parents.
These efforts are interconnected. A redeveloped Pimlico can generate activity and investment, but lasting neighborhood transformation will require that residents are connected to the jobs, contracts, services, housing opportunities and resources that emerge from that investment.
Collective impact means aligning these efforts around a common goal: ensuring that the people who have sustained Park Heights and the Preakness for generations participate meaningfully in the neighborhood’s future.
“For decades, Park Heights has stood beside the Preakness,” Jiggetts said. “Today, we’re excited to see a future where the community that helped build this legacy has a voice in helping shape what’s next. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure the Preakness continues to create jobs, attract investment, and build lasting prosperity as we create Bold New Heights together.”
Community Participation Matters
The upcoming public meeting gives residents an opportunity to hear directly from the organizations leading the redevelopment, understand the project’s progress and raise questions about what comes next.
Meaningful community engagement must continue throughout the project, not only during major announcements, but during planning, construction, hiring, programming and long-term operation.
“This is a proud day for Park Heights,” Jiggetts said. “The Preakness has been woven into the fabric of our community for generations, and this announcement ensures that its future remains connected to the people and neighborhood that have been part of its story from the very beginning. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the role this iconic event will play in helping us build a stronger, more vibrant, and more prosperous Park Heights for generations to come.”
Residents may submit redevelopment questions in advance to mdracing@mdstad.com. The Maryland Stadium Authority reports that in-person registration has reached capacity, but additional virtual registration spaces have been made available.
Meeting Information
Pimlico Race Course Redevelopment Public Meeting
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
6–8 p.m.
Sinai Hospital’s Zamoiski Auditorium
2401 W. Belvedere Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21215
Virtual attendance is also available. Register Here
