Project Description

Johns Hopkins is making a transformative new investment in Baltimore’s innovation economy with a forthcoming Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (DSAI).

The 21st century is already being defined by an explosion of available data and the rapid adoption of AI technology across an array of fields, and Johns Hopkins has deep expertise, resources, and a track record of leveraging innovation to create economic growth in the Baltimore region.   

The new institute will be a hub for interdisciplinary data collaborations with experts and students from across Johns Hopkins working together to tackle pressing issues. Their work will be supported by the latest techniques and technologies and by experts in data translation, data visualization, and tech transfer, shortening the path from discovery to impact and fostering the development of future large-scale data projects that serve the public interest, such as the award-winning Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

In all, 80 new affiliated faculty will be recruited to support the institute’s pursuits, in addition to 30 new Bloomberg Distinguished Professors with substantial cross-disciplinary expertise to ensure the impact of the new institute is felt across the university. This influx of academic talent will also bring scores of new staff members, graduate students, and visitors to campus, infusing the neighborhood with added energy, foot traffic, and small business customers.

Read more in President Ron Daniels’ message from August 3, 2023, announcing DSAI.

Baltimore as a tech hub

In the fall of 2023, the federal government designated the greater Baltimore region as a “Tech Hub.” Through DSAI, Hopkins will make vital contributions to Baltimore’s growth as a tech hub, creating long-term jobs, attracting top talent, and spurring the growth of new companies that will compete in one of the world’s most promising fields.

Hopkins aims to establish Baltimore as the East Coast hub for data science, AI, and machine learning — with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and companies looking to Baltimore as the place to develop and launch products and companies based on data science/AI technology. The institute will fuel new research, product innovation, startups, private investment, and jobs in the Baltimore region.

Johns Hopkins has deep expertise, resources, and a track record of leveraging innovation to create economic growth in the Baltimore region. Since 2014, JHU has been intentionally accelerating startup companies, with the goal of creating a thriving innovation ecosystem that attracts capital and creates jobs. Today, JHU supports 150 startups across a wide range of sectors, and we have seen a meaningful increase in the health of the Baltimore tech and start-up ecosystem, as measured by venture capital invested in local companies and jobs created.

Design, Construction, and Economic Impact

ZGF Architects LLP is the project design team for the institute. Baltimore’s own Whiting-Turner Contracting Company with Mahogany, Inc. are the construction managers.

Building and Site Specifics

The DSAI project will feature two four-story buildings along Remington Avenue and Wyman Park Drive, connected by both an overhead pedestrian walkway and an underground service tunnel to minimize delivery truck and traffic disruption.

The building is organized into “research neighborhoods,” purposely collocating disciplines including bioengineering, materials, energy, and environment with thematic zones dedicated to areas such as health and medicine, scientific discovery, and engineering systems. Unlike traditional academic silos, these groupings will create a world-class AI space for cross-disciplinary research and translation.

Sustainability

Johns Hopkins University recently announced a new Climate Action and Sustainability Plan, a guiding university-wide framework that charts our environmental commitments across operations, academics, and community partnerships. The plan includes a section focused on stewarding our built and natural environments.

In accordance with the plan, the DSAI buildings are following a new set of rigorous sustainability requirements for capital projects and will be designed to achieve USGBC LEED Gold Rating and will be net-zero-ready.

Economic Impact

Through HopkinsLocal, Johns Hopkins is committed to working with our local government and community to ensure this project brings an overall economic benefit to the city. The construction project has MWBE and LBE goals of 20% and is anticipated to add 500 trade jobs to boost Baltimore’s economy and will indirectly contribute to thousands of new jobs around the city. The long-term economic impact of the Institute is being analyzed by an independent entity and is expected to create thousands of permanent jobs for Baltimore.

Construction

Site mobilization for DSAI will begin in early 2025 and construction is projected to be complete by 2029. Prior to mobilization and throughout the life of the project, JHU and Whiting-Turner will host community meetings to address what to expect during construction, including:

  • Construction schedule and hours;
  • Parking for construction workers;
  • Process for completing property surveys for those eligible and interested;
  • Measures to mitigate construction noise and dust;
  • Truck routes as approved by the City of Baltimore in the project Maintenance of Traffic Plan (MOT);
  • Opportunities for local businesses and labor to participate in the construction;

Environmental Site Assessment

In 2014, Johns Hopkins University performed an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on the current Homewood Early Learning Center (ELC) site and worked with the Controlled Hazardous Substance Enforcement Section of the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to ensure compliance with existing environmental regulations. As part of this project, another ESA will be conducted to research the current and historical uses of the property and assess any impacts on the soil or groundwater beneath the property that could pose a threat to the environment and/or human health.

Environmental Review, City and State Approvals

The DSAI project is subject to the following environmental review and approval processes before construction can begin:

Stormwater Management (City Department of Public Works (DPW))

Erosion & Sediment Control (City DPW)

Forest Conservation (City Department of Planning (DOP))

Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity / Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE))

Before final approval, MDE will post a 14-day public notification period, during which information will be published on MDE’s ePermits website. Interested parties may submit concerns about Erosion and Sediment Control to the approval authority (City DPW) and to MDE.

Rules and regulations pertaining to project requirements are available on the Department of Public Works website: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/

Protecting Natural Habitats and Indigenous Species

Approximately 20 acres of the Homewood Campus is a declared Forest Conservation Easement (FCE). The FCE runs along the western edge of the campus and borders the City’s Stony Run Park. JHU’s FCE and the woodlands found in Stony Run Park provide a natural habitat for a variety of species native to Central Maryland. JHU is committed to preserving this unique and treasured feature rarely found on American urban university campuses. To that end, JHU will engage an environmental scientist to advise on protecting Stony Run Creek from groundwater contamination generated by construction activity, continue to consult with Dr. Susan Elbin, Conservation Scientist Emerita and ornithologist for the New York City Bird Alliance, for façade bird strike prevention, and perform an inventory of species that inhabit the FCE and surrounding area. JHU will also consult an ornithologist who specializes in the care of Barred Owls in their natural environment.

More information about JHU and the local environment can be found on JHU’s Sustainability website.

Exterior Lighting

The design team recognizes the importance of containing and reducing light pollution from the DSAI building and will implement strategies to prevent the spread of unwanted light. This includes selecting exterior fixtures that aim light downward, illuminating surfaces for safety without spreading unwanted light beyond pedestrian pathways. Additionally, the design team will thoughtfully study window placement, orientation, and treatment to reduce light transmittance to nearby residences. Sun shading applied to protect the building from solar heat gain and glare will also curtail the range of night-time illumination leaving the building.

Traffic and Parking

Trade contractors will utilize JHU-owned parking structures and shuttles from Eastern High School. Johns Hopkins will continue to partner with the city to improve parking enforcement and support Residential Permit Parking along the east side of Remington Ave and the north side of 31st Street.

Community Meetings