National Aquarium in Baltimore National Aquarium BLUE Print (Master Plan)

[NAIB Volunteer]

While discussed sporadically in the news and dolphin threads, there was no thread on the Aquarium's Master Plan. I thought with the near completion of the Harbor Wetlands (phase 2 of 3), discussions of the master plan could occur here.

As a recap for each phase (About Us)
Phase 1: Animal Care and Rescue Center - $20 million. Opened 2018.
Phase 2: Harbor Wetlands - $14 million. Opening Summer 2024.
Phase 3: National Dolphin Sanctuary - Projected $20-25 million. Projected Opening by 2026*

During this time, Pier 3 has also received facility upgrades over the years at a total cost of an additional $20 million, including the replacement of the Glass Pyramid housing the Upland Tropical Rainforest at $7.7 million.

Studio Gang Architects released some conceptual plans in 2016 when Blue Print was announced, including some renderings of the National Dolphin Sanctuary and a campus unification and circulation plan.

https://studiogang.com/project/national-aquarium-blueprint
National Aquarium Blueprint — ANYNAME

*As for the dolphins, whether or not the Aquarium will blow past their latest deadline remains to be seen. With the dolphins anticipated departure on Pier 4, the Aquarium is still firm on converting the space into a Chesapeake Bay themed exhibit.

A new master plan is currently being developed to guide the conversion of Pier 4 and the revamp of Pier 3/ Glass Pavilion. The desire is for the Pier 4 space to be an immersive, one way journey similar to the Rainforest and Australia exhibits. Visitors would start in the upper levels of the former amphitheater in the mountain zone of Western Maryland. As guests descend they would encounter waterfalls, lily ponds, salt marshes, and finally ending in the outer bay of the former main dolphin pool which is 735,000 gallons. A shark tunnel has been discussed for this section.

Pier 3 has a laundry list of continued deficiencies, including a need to renovate the Atlantic Coral Reef and Shark Alley exhibits which were last renovated 30 years ago. Funding is currently being secured for their anticipated renovation. With Pier 4 becoming a Chesapeake Bay exhibit, the Maryland: Mountains to the Sea exhibit on Pier 3, Level 2 would become redundant and there are discussions of what would replace the space.

Overall, funding remains one of the biggest hurdles for the Aquarium as construction costs continue to rise. What ultimately gets funded and built is a big open question, but it will be exciting nonetheless to see where the Aquarium ends up by the end of the decade.

 

[Slava43]

While discussed sporadically in the news and dolphin threads, there was no thread on the Aquarium's Master Plan. I thought with the near completion of the Harbor Wetlands (phase 2 of 3), discussions of the master plan could occur here.

As a recap for each phase (About Us)
Phase 1: Animal Care and Rescue Center - $20 million. Opened 2018.
Phase 2: Harbor Wetlands - $14 million. Opening Summer 2024.
Phase 3: National Dolphin Sanctuary - Projected $20-25 million. Projected Opening by 2026*

During this time, Pier 3 has also received facility upgrades over the years at a total cost of an additional $20 million, including the replacement of the Glass Pyramid housing the Upland Tropical Rainforest at $7.7 million.

Studio Gang Architects released some conceptual plans in 2016 when Blue Print was announced, including some renderings of the National Dolphin Sanctuary and a campus unification and circulation plan.

https://studiogang.com/project/national-aquarium-blueprint
National Aquarium Blueprint — ANYNAME

*As for the dolphins, whether or not the Aquarium will blow past their latest deadline remains to be seen. With the dolphins anticipated departure on Pier 4, the Aquarium is still firm on converting the space into a Chesapeake Bay themed exhibit.

A new master plan is currently being developed to guide the conversion of Pier 4 and the revamp of Pier 3/ Glass Pavilion. The desire is for the Pier 4 space to be an immersive, one way journey similar to the Rainforest and Australia exhibits. Visitors would start in the upper levels of the former amphitheater in the mountain zone of Western Maryland. As guests descend they would encounter waterfalls, lily ponds, salt marshes, and finally ending in the outer bay of the former main dolphin pool which is 735,000 gallons. A shark tunnel has been discussed for this section.

Pier 3 has a laundry list of continued deficiencies, including a need to renovate the Atlantic Coral Reef and Shark Alley exhibits which were last renovated 30 years ago. Funding is currently being secured for their anticipated renovation. With Pier 4 becoming a Chesapeake Bay exhibit, the Maryland: Mountains to the Sea exhibit on Pier 3, Level 2 would become redundant and there are discussions of what would replace the space.

Overall, funding remains one of the biggest hurdles for the Aquarium as construction costs continue to rise. What ultimately gets funded and built is a big open question, but it will be exciting nonetheless to see where the Aquarium ends up by the end of the decade.

Just for a couple questions - based on what you know how far in the future do you expect the Shark Alley and Atlantic Coral Reef to begin (As in, would you expect the renovation to begin before the dolphin's projected move in 2026, or for this to only really take shape sometime in the mid to long term future)? And if they do happen, would these renovations be Blacktip Reef-style total reconstructions, or more like structural maintenance?

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

Just for a couple questions - based on what you know how far in the future do you expect the Shark Alley and Atlantic Coral Reef to begin (As in, would you expect the renovation to begin before the dolphin's projected move in 2026, or for this to only really take shape sometime in the mid to long term future)? And if they do happen, would these renovations be Blacktip Reef-style total reconstructions, or more like structural maintenance?

The dolphin project is being entirely funded through philanthropic donations with a considerable chunk coming from Virgin Holidays. The ring tank reconstruction is being funded through the aquarium's typical fundraising apparatus and state/local appropriations.

Unclear on timing on the ring tank renovations however. Because of the separate funding routes for each, theoretically they could occur at the same time since both projects would not impact one another. On the other hand, it would seem unlikely that the ring tanks would begin renovations by 2026 considering how much money and planning are needed to even begin. Appropriations were only just requested this fiscal year.