Future of Downtown Baltimore

Kirby Fowler is President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc. (“DPOB”), and the Executive Director of the Downtown Management Authority – nonprofit organizations working with the public and private sectors to make Downtown Baltimore a great place for businesses, employees, residents, and visitors. Downtown Baltimore is the fastestgrowing neighborhood in the City, and it ranks 8th in the country in terms of residential density and 12th in the country in employment density. DPOB employs approximately 140 people dedicated to: cleaning sidewalks and streets; maintaining a hospitable environment; overseeing park spaces and greening initiatives; promoting economic development; monitoring infrastructure projects; reducing traffic congestion; providing business networking opportunities; and marketing Downtown amenities. Prior to joining DPOB, Kirby was Of Counsel to Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, and was also a partner in the law firm of Ober Kaler Grimes & Shriver. Previously, Kirby served as Special Assistant for Economic and Neighborhood Development under Mayor Martin O’Malley. In that position, he worked on such projects as The Brown Center at the Maryland Institute College of Art, the renaissance of Belvedere Square, and the retention of existing businesses such as Phillips Seafood. From 2001 through 2006, Kirby led the creation of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. During that time period, more than 108 new artists moved into Station North, more than 14 establishments opened (including MICA’s Studio Center, Area 405, Load of Fun, and Joe Squared), and two significant residential projects – Railway Express and Station North Townhomes – were launched. In addition, special signage was installed, a map guide was developed, and celebrations such as “Gotta Have Art” were held to promote the district. In 2005, Kirby created the non-profit organization and hired the first full-time Executive Director of Station North. From 2009 to 2012, on appointment by Governor Martin O’Malley, Kirby served as Chair of the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Commission, overseeing the lottery as well as the licensing and operation of the new slots facilities in Maryland. During Kirby’s tenure, the Commission drafted the first-ever regulations for slots facilities and table games; granted licenses to the first five casinos to open in Maryland; and oversaw three consecutive record-breaking years in revenue generation for the lottery. In 2010, Kirby was asked to participate on an Urban Land Institute Advisory Panel, providing advice to the City of Chicago on redevelopment of the Navy Pier. Kirby also served on the Transition Teams for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Mayor Sheila Dixon. He currently serves on several boards, including Baltimore Homeless Services (previously Chair), Central Baltimore Partnership, Charles Street Development Corporation, The Economic Alliance Advisory Board (previously Chair), Healthcare for the Homeless, Mount Vernon Cultural District, Public Markets Corporation, and Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc. (previously Chair). Kirby has been named “Influential Marylander” by The Daily Record; a “Leader We Admire” by SmartCEO Magazine; “Baltimore Icon” by 89.7 WTMD; “Forty under Forty” by Baltimore Business Journal; “Father of the Year” by the American Diabetes Association, Maryland Chapter; “Breaking Boundaries” honoree by the International Interior Design Association; Fullwood Foundation Valued Hours Award recipient; and The Daily Record “Innovator of the Year” for the Charm City Circulator and “Operation: Storefront”. During his tenure, The Partnership has also won awards from the International Downtown Association for its Kids Month promotion (2010) and “Operation: Storefront” (2011), as well as the Spencer Ellis Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects for stewardship of the local environment. Kirby is a graduate of Dartmouth College and New York University School of Law. He is married to Carmina Perez-Fowler, and has two wonderful daughters.

Mr. Poverni’s expertise encompasses structuring and managing of the development life cycle, from project feasibility studies, to site control, financing, syndication, construction management, asset stabilization and disposition. Mr. Poverni founded the firm in 2011 and continues to be the driving force behinds its growth, and is thankful for the talented people that work at PSG to help make its’ projects and business lines a success day-in and day-out. Mr. Poverni holds a J.D. from the George Washington University, and an M.B.A from the University of Maryland.

Mark Pollak has practiced for more than 30 years with a focus on the public financing of complex real estate projects and sports stadiums. He also has experience creating public-private partnerships to develop central business districts. His clients include local institutions and companies as well as national corporations and major real estate developers and investors in the mid-Atlantic area.