Concert Venue Sale No Longer a Threat

COLUMBIA, MD-After deciding to sell the Merriweather Post Pavilion for a potential $6 million as part of a possible conversion, property owner General Growth Properties has decided to take the outdoor concert facility off the market. The 31,200-sf hall and the 10-acre parcel it occupies have a total current assessed value of approximately $4.2 million.

Howard County officials had considered purchasing the Frank Gehry-designed property in order to appease citizens’ pleas to keep the 38-year-old venue open and unchanged; General Growth had previously advocated the redevelopment of Merriweather into a smaller, indoor facility. Both Howard County and General Growth are working on a master plan for downtown Columbia. That plan will likely include the development of residences and/or office space on Merriweather’s neighboring 51-acre parcel that is currently used to accommodate Merriweather parking for up to 4,600 vehicles.