Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative
Look across the water. Witness progress on the equity framework laid out in the Reimagine Middle Branch Plan to protect and connect the shoreline.
The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative (MBRI) is Maryland’s largest coastal resilience initiative, dedicated to restoring 50+ acres of habitat along 11 miles of shoreline. During the development of the Reimagine Middle Branch Plan, communities called for environmental justice including better access to nature and more protection from flooding and storm damage.
Using nature-based resilience solutions, MBRI supports environmental justice goals by:
Enhance South Baltimore communities’ resilience and protect critical infrastructure from coastal flooding, intense storm events, erosion, and sea level rise
Improving public access to our city’s waterfront—including greenspace/water recreation and fishing—by restoring wetland habitat diversity and improving water quality
Concurrent, ongoing shoreline clean-up and maintenance efforts enhance the work of two Trash Wheels in removing debris from the Middle Branch, partnering with these wetland restoration efforts.
You can learn more about how MBRI aims to protect and connect the shoreline as outlined in Chapter 2 of the Reimagine Middle Branch Plan's Design Vision.
What’s the Latest?
Join our hybrid community info session on Tuesday, July 29 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM to learn about the latest updates on MBRI. Hear about upcoming construction, project benefits, and fall 2025 completions. In-person and Zoom options available.
Under Construction:
We’re making great progress on construction of the Hanover Street Wetlands and Patapsco Delta East. Both projects are located along the Hanover-Potee Street Corridor in Brooklyn and are anticipated to complete construction in 2025.
Construction Coming Soon:
Construction is scheduled to begin soon on the MedStar Harbor Hospital Wetlands in Cherry Hill, with expected completion at the end of 2026.
Up Next:
BGE Resiliency Site: Design underway
Smith Cove Resiliency and Stormwater Management Site: Design underway
Questions about MBRI? Connect with us: info@reimaginmb.com
MedStar Harbor Hospital Wetlands
The MedStar Harbor Hospital Wetlands is scheduled to break ground this summer, restoring approximately 7 acres of wetlands along Cherry Hill’s shoreline. This project is designed to reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and re-establish lost wetland habitat and waterfront greenspace.
Expected impacts of the MedStar Harbor Hospital Wetlands include:
Construction equipment noise and dump truck material deliveries between 7:00am and 3:00pm, Monday - Friday
No disruption to utilities (water, sewer, power, or internet) nor traffic modifications.
Partial closure of the MedStar South Lot and adjoining trail section. The fishing piers will remain open during construction.
Design for MedStar Harbor Hospital Wetlands was made possible with funding from Baltimore County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from AT&T and NOAA. Construction of this site is made possible by funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment in partnership with Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Baltimore County, and Maryland’s Whole Watershed Act and Fund.
Thank you to the MedStar Harbor Hospital Wetlands funders:
Hanover Street Wetlands & Patapsco Delta East
We were thrilled to celebrate the official launch of MBRI with the start of construction on the first site, the Hanover Street Wetlands! We were joined by Federal, State, and local elected and appointed officials, community leaders, representatives of governmental agencies, and the leadership of BGE and MedStar Harbor Hospital to celebrate this monumental project as part of Reimagine Middle Branch. We’re looking forward to continued celebrations as future phases begin!
The Hanover Street Wetlands, approximately 7 acres, was the first MBRI site to commence construction, representing one of many steps toward fulfilling Reimagine Middle Branch’s commitment to fostering equity by protecting and connecting South Baltimore’s shoreline and communities. This work is fully funded; community outreach launched in 2023 with construction commencing in 2024. Patapsco Delta East was the second MBRI site to reach construction, breaking ground in spring of 2025 on a project that will restore approximately 5 acres of wetland habitat. Both sites are expected to complete construction in 2025.
Expected impacts of the Hanover Street Wetlands and Patapsco Delta East include:
New waterfront views through removal of invasive plant species.
Construction equipment noise and dump truck material deliveries between 7:00am and 3:00pm, Monday - Friday
No disruption to utilities (water, sewer, power, or internet) nor traffic modifications.
Construction of the Hanover Street Wetlands is made possible through funding from Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Maryland’s Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. Design and construction of Patapsco Delta East is funded by NOAA.
Thank you to the Hanover Street Wetlands funders:
Thank you to our Patapsco Delta East funder:
Chesapeake Stormwater Network webinar: March 4, 2024
Check out the presentation about Reimagine Middle Branch and MBRI.
Community Information Session: September 13, 2023
MBRI in the News:
BAY JOURNAL — FEBRUARY 26, 2025
Wetlands to return to Baltimore’s ‘forgotten waterfront’
THE BALTIMORE SUN — FEBRUARY 8, 2025
Charred logs from Camp Small fire will help restore Patapsco wetlands
INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS — SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
Baltimore Is Investing in Wetlands Restoration, a Climate Line of Defense
SOUTHBMORE.COM — AUGUST 5, 2024
Wetland restoration project opening new views in Brooklyn
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES — JUNE 3, 2024
Baltimore Project Brings Together Environmental Resilience and Community Development
WYPR 88.1 FM BALTIMORE — APRIL 19, 2024
Restored wetlands could help protect neglected South Baltimore communities
WBALTV11/NBC — APRIL 19, 2024
Middle Branch project launches, will add boardwalk, public trails
WMAR/ABC Baltimore — APRIL 19, 2024
More wetlands are coming to Baltimore
WBOC/CBS DELMARVA — DECEMBER 18, 2023
Maryland Coastal Restoration Resilience Projects to Receive Nearly $13 Million
WJZ/CBS BALTIMORE — DECEMBER 6, 2023
‘Nuisance Flooding’ impacts South Baltimore communities as sea levels continue to rise
BALTIMORE MAGAZINE — APRIL 4, 2023
The Middle Branch is in the Midst of a Shoreline Renaissance
SOUTHBMORE.COM — OCT. 13, 2022
Reimagine Middle Branch Project Receives $47.7 Million in Grants
THE BALTIMORE BANNER — OCT. 7, 2022
Middle Branch preservation and redevelopment project kicks off with $48 million in grants
BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL — OCT. 7, 2022
Baltimore’s Middle Branch receives $47.7M in grants in wetlands project to kick off larger redevelopment
WYPR 88.1 FM — OCT. 10, 2022
Major South Baltimore Restoration environmental restoration project to combat flooding
THE BALTIMORE SUN — SEP. 30, 2021
A multimillion-dollar project to prevent South Baltimore flooding could help prove new strategies in climate resiliency
MBRI Project Partners:
Reimagine Middle Branch, a community-driven initiative, is led by the City of Baltimore, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, and Parks & People, working alongside a team of expert consultants, stakeholders, and Baltimoreans.