New arena study

A new Maryland Stadium Authority study explores options for replacing First Mariner Arena at its present location. The study calls for 15,000-16,000 seats with 20 suites and 1,000-1,200 club seats. The study factors out the NBA/NHL possibility and forecasts 160-170 events a year and calls for targeting minor league franchises. Other locations were not considered.

Ed Hale, investor in the Baltimore Blast and CEO of First Mariner Bank, said that the Blast might have to leave town if the arena were rebuilt at the current site. Hale, who also has proposed relocating the arena to a 15,000-seat facility in Canton,  said that rebuilding at the current location could cause the arena to be closed for up to 5 years.