The generous gift jumpstarts Phase 2 of the transformation of the historic Pikesville Armory campus in Northwest Baltimore
PIKESVILLE, MD. - January 12, 2026 - The Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF) is elated to announce a $2 million matching grant (1:1) from the Harvey M. Meyerhoff Fund (the Fund) which is a part of the Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds. This grant serves to catalyze fundraising to build the state-of-the-art ADA friendly playground, tree lined walking path and event lawn and stage, all centerpieces of the reimagined Pikesville Armory. Groundbreaking for this phase of the project is scheduled for late 2026.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Harvey M. Meyerhoff Fund and are confident that this matching grant will inspire many philanthropists and community members to support the historic redevelopment of the Pikesville Armory campus,” said Shelley Morhaim, President of the Board of Directors of the Pikesville Armory Foundation. “By providing this matching grant, the Fund is making a statement: it takes a community to bring this project to life.”
“The Fund is delighted to support this exciting project for the Pikesville community and beyond,” said Misty Gibson, Deputy Director of the Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds. The grant will activate the main Armory building’s 3rd floor, named in honor of Harvey M. Meyerhoff.
David Ginsburg, PAF’s Executive Director, invited the community to embrace this opportunity to maximize their generosity. “The impact of your generous gift to this transformative community project will be doubled. The Harvey M. Meyerhoff Fund will match dollar for dollar contributions of $50,000 or more from private donors to Phase 2 of this project. The time to give is now!”
The Pikesville Armory Foundation's mission is to strengthen community and promote regional vitality by catalyzing excellence in arts, recreation, and place-based economic development. PAF leads the transformation of the historic Pikesville Armory into a 17-acre arts-infused cross-generational community hub, which will include numerous community amenities, from the Pikesville Senior Center to a maker space for workforce development initiatives. In 2025, the Foundation marked a major milestone with the grand opening of the renovated NCO Club — the first completed phase in a multi-year adaptive reuse project, positively impacting Northwest Baltimore. Early activation events happening at the Pikesville Armory’s campus continue to bring excitement and hope to the community, as they can feel the vibrant and bright future ahead.
The second phase of the redevelopment project will kick off in 2026, encompassing primarily outdoor features including sports fields, a walking path, and a state-of-the-art ADA-friendly destination playground, with public art throughout the grounds. Subsequent phases include a greatly expanded Pikesville Senior Center, indoor athletic recreation, a maker space, an event venue, a community theatre, and much more.
The Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds make significant contributions to improve the quality of life in Baltimore, and in the Jewish community locally, nationally, and in Israel. They leverage funds and partnerships to achieve greater results, supporting community and cultural institutions that help ensure access to art and culture and key initiatives that help middle neighborhoods remain strong, stable, safe, and livable for all residents.
To learn more about the Pikesville Armory Foundation and/or to discuss your giving strategy to this transformative project, please contact David Ginsburg (DavidG@pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org) or Maria Abreu (MariaA@pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org). PAF is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization; donations are tax deductible. Multi-year pledges are accepted.
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PopUp! Inflatable Art Festival is a three-week long, family-friendly event at the historic Pikesville Armory campus in Northwest Baltimore.
PIKESVILLE, MD. - Sept. 4, 2025 - The Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF) announced its inaugural public art exhibition PopUp! Inflatable Art Festival, to be held at the historic Pikesville Armory campus September 11–28, 2025, with no cost for the community and visitors to attend.
PopUp! is a three-week long, family-friendly public art festival, featuring larger-than-life inflatable sculptures and multidisciplinary programs for everyone to enjoy. From block parties to live music, a meditative coloring session, and a yoga class among the artwork, PopUp! Inflatable Art Festival offers something for everyone.
The festival showcases PAF’s vision for the Pikesville Armory as a hub for art, recreation, and sports, and as a community space for all. During the multiyear, phased construction project to transform the Armory, PAF is bringing the community together for different events, including PopUp!, Taste of Northwest, and summer jazz concerts.
PopUp! is the first exhibition of large-scale inflatable artworks in the Pikesville area. Highlights of the exhibition include newly-commissioned monumental sculptures by Baltimore-based artists Becky Borlan, Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez, Katie Pumphrey, and Sky Macklay, along with a new installation of Graham Coreil-Allen’s “Dancing Forest.” PAF worked closely with artist Bruce Willen of Public Mechanics to curate and develop this inaugural public art exhibition at the Pikesville Armory.
PopUp!’s many activities provide participation opportunities such as a community art workshop and Air-Powered Parade, an inflatable demo and history presentation, and a Kids Extravaganza Day! Visitors are also invited to interact with Sky Macklay’s “The Harmonicake” sculpture — a Willy Wonka-esque sound sculpture consisting of a giant five-layer “cake” woven through with harmonicas that create drone soundscapes. Macklay will lead two public performances with “The Harmonicake” on September 27 and 28, and visitors can meet all of the artists during Artists Day on the 27th.
On September 14 PopUp! also hosts a special celebration of Pikesvillian Sam Barsky’s 25 years knitting, with an opportunity to meet the talented and renowned artist and touch some of his knitted sweaters. Other events include children’s activities and health classes led by community members. During most PopUp! events, visitors can grab a bite to eat from on-site food trucks.
The Foundation recently marked a major milestone in its “Transform Pikesville Armory” project with the grand opening of the renovated NCO Club building — the first completed phase in a multi-year, $100M+ redevelopment effort to create an intergenerational community destination for sports, recreation, and the arts. The grand opening was a joyous celebration, uniting leaders, partners, and residents in a shared vision to grow the community and make the Pikesville Armory a welcoming place for all. The second phase of the redevelopment project will kick off in 2026 encompassing primarily outdoor features including sports fields, walking paths, and a state-of-the-art destination playground with public art and historical monuments interspersed throughout the grounds.
PopUp! Inflatable Art Festival wouldn’t be possible without the generous support to the Pikesville Armory Foundation of sponsors, partners and supporters that include Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), the Levitt Foundation, Venable LLP, The M&T Charitable Foundation, School of Rock Pikesville, MileOne Cares - Heritage Owings Mills, David and Lily Openshaw, Rehab 2 Perform, Klein Enterprises, and other community sponsors.
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The opening of the NCO Club is the first of a multi-phase, $100M+ redevelopment project, aimed to create an intergenerational community hub for sports, recreation, and the arts.
Click here for photos and more details about the event.
PIKESVILLE, Md. - Aug. 19, 2025 - The Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF) last week marked a major milestone in its “Transform Pikesville Armory” project with the grand opening of the renovated Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) Club building—the first completed phase in a multi-year, $100M+ redevelopment effort to create an intergenerational community destination for sports, recreation, and the arts. The grand opening was a joyous celebration, uniting leaders, partners, and residents in a shared vision to grow the community and make the Pikesville Armory a welcoming place for all.
The PAF in partnership with Seawall and Onyx Development have been working on the project since 2022. The construction for the NCO Club building started on April 15, 2024, and PAF hosted a grand opening ceremony celebrating the milestone with a ribbon cutting with key city elected officials, partners and stakeholders on Aug. 12. The celebration featured remarks from elected officials, partner organizations, and PAF leadership, along with a special video message from Maryland Governor Wes Moore congratulating the team on this milestone, expressing that the ribbon cutting was a testament to the joint efforts of the various stakeholders to reimagine the Northwest corridor as a center for community building and economic impact. Watch the video here.
Shelley Morhaim, President of the PAF Board of Directors, reflected on the deeper meaning of the redevelopment, “This space gives a physical place to manifest our collective dream, [this is] an opportunity to safeguard the community and bring people together. Today marks a milestone in the rebirth of the Pikesville Armory.”
PAF Board Member and Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce CEO Beth Rheingold led the ribbon cutting and called for continued engagement, “This project is a catalyst for the revitalization of the Northwest corridor of Baltimore—and we invite everyone to be part of it.”
The reopening of the renovated and restored NCO Club marks a significant milestone for this multiyear project, and celebrates the history of the site and opens a long awaited meeting and event space for community members and veterans. The second floor of the building serves as office space for the Pikesville Armory Foundation and a regional office for Baltimore County’s Department of Recreation and Parks.
“The restoration of the NCO Club is an important first milestone in the redevelopment of the Pikesville Armory—a historic Maryland institution. I was proud to work with the Foundation, and my former colleagues—Senator Cardin, and Representatives Sarbanes and Ruppersberger— to secure federal funds to combine the best of the Armory’s past with the community needs of the future. As this redevelopment continues, I look forward to seeing the Armory’s legacy take shape as a hub for events, recreational programs, and other services that will benefit the local residents and economy,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The second phase of the redevelopment project, in partnership with Baltimore County, will kick off late 2026 and will encompass primarily outdoor features including sports fields, walking paths, and a state-of-the-art destination playground with public art and historical monuments interspersed throughout the grounds.
The Pikesville Armory has a 120-year history, and its preservation and redevelopment have been a community priority for decades. Officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the Pikesville Armory was the subject of a Governor’s Commission in 2017 which drew on hundreds of community conversations to receive input from thousands of neighbors.
The project team for the NCO Club also included Ziger/Snead Architects, landscape architects Unknown Studio, and general contractor Wilhelm Builders.
“As the first phase of the broader redevelopment, the design of the NCO Club at the Pikesville Armory was an important opportunity to set the tone, both in spirit and substance, for what this historic campus will become,” said Doug Bothner, Partner Ziger|Snead Architects. “We approached the design with deep respect for the legacy of the NCO Club (and the Armory as a whole), carefully restoring important historic architectural character, while introducing modern design elements and systems to create a new home for the Pikesville Armory Foundation, veterans, and public alike. This project represents an early win for the Armory Redevelopment and demonstrates what thoughtful reinvestment in civic architecture can achieve.”
Other quotes and commentary from the celebration included:
Barry Williams, Vice Chair of the PAF Board of Directors, expressed gratitude to the many supporters who made the milestone possible stating, “This is a place for all.”
Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka (District 2) emphasized unity and the Pikesville Armory as a place for all, and that the team was in it together expressing the momentum to keep moving forward!
Julia Ganz, Deputy Director of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, spoke to the site’s legacy, saying it would continue to honor the history of this place. “DHCD is a proud partner in the journey to reinvigorate Pikesville and support the growth of the Northwest region through this project, which will make this space livable and lovable.”
Lisa Budlow, Executive Director of Comprehensive Housing Assistance (CHAI), praised the partnerships that made the project possible, “This is a project with the spirit of partnership in everything.”
PAF Executive Director David Ginsburg described the milestone’s significance: “The renovated NCO Club is a microcosm of what this 17-acre place will be and will offer to everyone: bringing community together, arts and culture, family-friendly fun activities, and so much more.”
Project updates and announcements will be posted at transformpikesvillearmory.org
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With recent award of $15 million in State of Maryland Catalytic Tax Credits and gifts from philanthropy, project passes $50 million mark of $100+ million goal.
PIKESVILLE, MD - January 29, 2025 - The community-led Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF) announced that they had surpassed the halfway mark of their goal to fund a full transformation of the historic 14-acre site, reaching $52 million in committed or granted funds. The full project is expected to cost approximately $100 million. The fundraising effort was strengthened recently with an announcement by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that they had awarded $15 million in the competitive Catalytic Revitalization Tax Credits program. The redevelopment of Baltimore County’s historic Pikesville Armory will create an intergenerational community hub and a center for regional economic growth.
“The large-scale revitalization of the Pikesville Armory will breathe new life into Pikesville and the surrounding community in northwest Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Incorporating feedback from over 1,500 survey respondents from over 40 neighborhoods, this redevelopment will be a true reflection of those who will soon learn, play, create and succeed there,” said Maryland Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day.
In addition to the DHCD’s Catalytic Tax Credit Award and other public funds, the project recently secured major philanthropic commitments from individuals and key private groups, including France-Merrick Foundation, The David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation, Goldseker Foundation, and the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce. These funds support the first phase of the capital redevelopment project, which includes planning, designing, and engineering for sustainable practices, and performance spaces at the Armory. The redeveloped Armory will feature recreation, arts, education, maker space, ADA-friendly playground, senior center, playing fields, walking paths, historic preservation, and meeting spaces for veterans and the community.
“The France-Merrick Foundation is excited to support the Pikesville Armory’s comprehensive approach to sustainably redevelop their campus as they bring arts, culture, recreation and learning resources to the region. We look forward to learning along with PAF as they implement energy efficient and climate sensitive components to the project,” expressed Amy Gross, President of the France-Merrick Foundation.
Beth Rheingold, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, said: "The revitalization of the Pikesville Armory is the lynchpin for Pikesville’s renewal. The Foundation’s outstanding efforts in securing millions in funding to create a vibrant space for all is inspiring and reassuring. I urge every Pikesville business, community group, sports league, student body, PTA, HOA, and resident to invest in Pikesville's future by donating now to this historic and transformative project. It's something for all of us, so let's all pitch in!”
“With this forward momentum, the Pikesville Armory Foundation is issuing a call for community members and foundations to commit to help make this project a reality. Another $30 million is needed in 2025 to enable us to compete for the necessary New Market and Historic Tax Credits”, said Shelley Morhaim, President of the Pikesville Armory Foundation.
Fundraising info and ways to give to the project can be found at transformpikesvillearmory.org/waystogive
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PIKESVILLE, MD - December 6, 2024 - Today, Baltimore County and the community-led Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF) announced a partnership agreement to build a state-of-the-art senior center and indoor and outdoor recreation facilities at the historic Pikesville Armory campus. The project is a significant investment in Baltimore’s northwest corridor; it represents the culmination of more than a decade of grassroots organizing efforts focused on transforming the historic 14-acre campus into a community resource and gathering place. Groundbreaking will take place in early 2026, with construction taking two years to complete.
The County’s Department of Aging will operate a 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Senior Center that will include classrooms, exercise facilities, a woodshop, meeting spaces, and other expanded services. The Department of Recreation and Parks will manage the more than 250,000 square feet of outdoor recreation space that includes two full size sports fields, a walking path around the perimeter of the property, three “destination playgrounds” appropriate for ages 2 and up, a pavilion, and restrooms. Indoors, the Department will operate 30,000 square feet of multisport courts for basketball, pickleball, and other uses. As part of the agreement, outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU), Baltimore County will commit to investing $9.5 million over the next several years to support the planning, design, and construction of these facilities at the Armory.
“Pikesville community members and stakeholders continue to be critical partners in our work to reimagine and transform this historic property into a vibrant regional hub,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Our announcement builds on this partnership and demonstrates that – by working with our federal, state, and local counterparts - we can continue delivering modern and high-quality opportunities for our residents to build connections, stay active, and celebrate everything that makes our communities a special place to call home.”
“I am so pleased that we have reached this important benchmark in the redevelopment of the Pikesville Armory. We are at the beginning phase of a spectacular amenity that will benefit residents of all ages. The Pikesville Armory redevelopment will not only be a local amenity, but also a regional destination. Stay tuned, great things will happen here!” said Baltimore County Councilperson Izzy Patoka, the 2nd District Representative.
“We are pleased to be part of this project that will bring such a positive impact to the greater Pikesville Community and Reisterstown Road corridor,” said Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith. “We recognize that this region has long needed free standing recreation space for growing programs and we are extremely thankful to County Executive Olszewski and the Pikesville Armory Foundation for the vision to finally see this need met.”
“The redeveloped Armory campus will be the realization of the community vision initiated six years ago by an in-depth citizen participation process. The partnership with Baltimore County announced today will create intergenerational opportunities and benefits for the entire northwest Baltimore City and County region,” said Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF) Board President Shelley Morhaim.
The first phase of the project to transform the Pikesville Armory is already underway, with construction to restore and renovate the property’s NonCommissioned Officers (NCO) Club building having kicked off in April 2024. The NCO Club building dates back to the 1880s and is a key component of the larger campus’s inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The restoration is expected to be completed by spring 2025. With this renovation, the NCO Club will continue to provide meeting and event space for community members and veterans, as well as office space for local organizations, including the Pikesville Armory Foundation.
The project released official rendering images during its groundbreaking in January 2024, which was presided over by Governor Wes Moore. The images show plans for the renovation and adaptive reuse of the main Armory building with sports courts, performance and maker spaces, cafe and community areas, among other uses. Other buildings on the site will be renovated for artists’ studios and galleries, indoor and outdoor performance venues, historical monuments, a walking labyrinth, and other spaces for community members and organizations. As planning continues, PAF welcomes continuing community input.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the Pikesville Armory was built in 1903 as part of the expansion of the National Guard program and has been in continuous military and community use since then. Most recently, the NCO Club building has served as a gathering place for veterans and community members. The site was the subject of a 2017 Governor’s Commission which drew on hundreds of community conversations to receive input from thousands of neighbors. The resulting direction for redevelopment of the site calls for “a multi-use venue for recreation, arts, and other community programming,” and led to the formation of the nonprofit Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF). PAF will steward the redevelopment process and will continue a community engagement process in the coming years.
The chosen development team - Seawall and Onyx Development - bring a Baltimore-centric approach to community-led development, with a focus on adaptive reuse and mixed use projects. Seawall has more than 15 years of experience working in Baltimore and is known for food halls and public markets such as Lexington Market and R. House, teacher apartments, nonprofit office space at Miller’s Court and Union Mill, and creative community hubs like the Union Collective. Onyx Development is a Black and female-owned firm led by Rian Hargrave and has completed a number of residential and commercial projects in Baltimore. The project team also includes Ziger/Snead Architects, landscape architects Unknown Studio, and general contractor Wilhelm Builders.
Project updates and announcements will be posted at transformpikesvillearmory.org.
About the Pikesville Armory Foundation (PAF)
The Maryland nonprofit corporation Pikesville Armory Foundation is stewarding the redevelopment of the historic Pikesville Armory. PAF's highly engaged board is composed of local leaders from various groups including the arts, parks and rec, education leaders, military veterans, architecture and development, with each member bringing their expertise to the project. This project intends to create a community hub that will celebrate the diversity of Pikesville and northwest Baltimore.
About Onyx Development
Onyx Development is a Baltimore-based, women and minority-owned development firm founded by Rian Hargrave. They specialize in community-centered development and are currently at work on the redevelopment of historic rowhomes with a focus area of Southwest Baltimore, and as a consultant to other mission-driven projects.
About Seawall
Seawall is a community organization made up of passionate social entrepreneurs who believe in re-imagining the real estate industry as we know it. We believe that all facets of the built environment should be used to empower communities, unite our cities, and help launch powerful ideas that create important movements. Combining decades of real estate development experience and non-profit community work, we have formed a socially conscious development company. Seawall has focused its energy and resources on providing discounted apartments for teachers, collaborative office space for non-profit organizations, community-driven retail, launchpads for chefs, and creative space for charter schools.
Seawall’s history of success is due in large part to deep relationships with neighborhood residents and business owners, as well as demonstrated and continuing commitment to responsible, inclusive development that is responsive to neighborhood needs and wants.
Contacts:
Katie Marshall, 513-708-9210, katie@seawall.com
Kristin Zeminski, 443-857-6718, Kristinz@pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org
Click here for rendering images of the transformed Pikesville Armory
Click here for current images of the Pikesville Armory
Pikesville Armory Foundation, Onyx, and Seawall representatives can be made available for interview upon request.
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The Pikesville Armory Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID# 85-4196251). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. A copy of our 501(c)(3) status is available upon request by contacting us at P.O. Box 212, Stevenson, MD 21153 or emailing info@pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org
For more information on how to support the Pikesville Armory Foundation, please contact us:
- Allison Baumwald at AllisonB@pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org
- Maria Abreu at MariaA@pikesvillearmoryfoundation.org
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