With Memorial Day just around the corner, work on the Commercial Slip appears to be steady. Even though the Whipple Truss Bridge has not been opened to the public, there are really good vantage points that allow the curiosity seeker the ability to check out the developments. I think that people are going to be happy when they are finally allowed to walk through the Lloyd Street foundations (1840-1880 period) and on to the Central Wharf plaza (as seen in the first photo). The working buildings that once faced onto Lloyd had basement doors that led to the tow path along the Commercial Slip.
A walk through the foundations is literally a historic vantage point that gives the visitor an important sense of history and place. The second photo features land that was, at one point in time, found between Prime Street and the bulkhead along the river. Project planners tell me that this was once the site of a row of buildings that housed shipping firms, etc. Even though the plans for this site continue to change... and many of the initial plans for leasing commercial property and buy-ins are not clear, opening the 'Phase 2' site to the public will be a good start. Hopefully it will not be long until we hear about what plans are for shopping and eating near (or on) this development. It's tough to tell right now due to the alteration of the original street grid, changes to the land surrounding the Commercial Slip, and updated land configurations (including the extension of the canal, which will most likely depend on Bass Pro developments.
For a fairly accurate look at this area as it once existed, be sure to stop into Pearl Street Brew Pub to take a look at Bob Averill's incredible painting depicting the Inner Harbor. And for a little background on what this site looked like a year ago, check out this post and slide show.