Baltimore Development Corporation President to Retire

M.J. “Jay” Brodie, the president of the Baltimore Development Corporation, will retire after serving 16 years in the position.

Brodie’s decision was announced in a news release from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s office on Thursday morning.

The Baltimore Development Corporation is a quasi-governmental economic development agency.

“Jay has been a true champion for Baltimore’s businesses—both large and small—and has left a permanent, positive legacy as a major contributor to our city’s ongoing renaissance. From the shores of our harbor and downtown, to our neighborhood main streets, there are countless examples of contributions that Jay has made to improve Baltimore,” Rawlings-Blake said in the release.

The administration credited Brodie for adding or retaining 58,275 jobs in 993 businesses that resulted in $3.2 billion in capital investment.  They also credit Brodie with the revitalization of both Belvedere Square and Clipper Mill in North Baltimore.

Brodie will continue to serve as the president until the search for his replacement is complete, and he will then continue as an advisor to Rawlings-Blake, according to the news release.

The Baltimore Development Corporation has also been the target of criticism during Brodie’s tenure.  

It took a 2007 court order before the organization opened its meetings to the public and critics have argued the agency focuses too much on development downtown and encourages too many city incentives for developers.

What do you think M.J. "Jay" Brodie's legacy as president of the Baltimore Development Corporation? Tell us in comments.