(MARCH 3, 2000 - Baltimore) - The Baltimore Metropolitan Council, which has occupied the former Greyhound Bus Station at Howard and Centre Streets since its founding in 1992, will move to Lighthouse Point East in Canton this spring. The Maryland Historical Society recently purchased the Greyhound Station for expanded office and meeting space.

"In seeking a new home for BMC, the Board was committed to finding another location in Baltimore City," said Baltimore County Executive Dutch Ruppersberger, who serves as BMC Chair. "The Lighthouse Point project in southeast Baltimore is the kind of mixed use development that supports older, established neighborhoods."

Located in the 2700 block of Boston Street, Lighthouse Point is a marine-oriented complex located on the site of the former J.S. Young Licorice Factory. The design concept incorporates office and retail space with a recreational marina and 80 rental apartments. Other tenants in the complex include Johns Hopkins University, Blockbuster Video, West Marine and the new Bo Brooks restaurant. The site is handicapped-accessible and offers ample parking for public meetings.

BMC will occupy the third floor of the office space. A 1,000 square foot conference room will overlook the Inner Harbor, and can be divided in two for smaller meetings. The Regional Information Center will occupy the core of the BMC space. Construction should be completed in May. All BMC staff should be relocated in early June.

Baltimore County Executive Ruppersberger signed the ten-year lease with East Harbor Marine Center LLC on behalf of the BMC Board of Directors. James Leanos of KLNB Realty assisted in finding the new space. The lease was secured with legal assistance from Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP and the Baltimore County Office of Law.

"In our search for a new location in Baltimore City, we sought appropriate office and meeting space with transit service and parking to accommodate both our employees and visitors. The new office will provide our employees and Board with a desirable work environment and support the redevelopment of the eastern portion of the Harbor," said BMC Executive Director Paul Farragut. "We are also pleased that the old Greyhound Station will continue to play a prominent role on Howard Street."