How much incentive is too much? A prominent Baltimore foundation is suing the city over a 2009 tax deal.

There is a 24-story office building in Harbor East where tenants pay top dollar for panoramic views of the Baltimore harbor. Seven years ago, the tower was valued at $300 million, but thanks to a deal between the developer and the city, the building has a city property tax bill equivalent to a Home Depot in East Baltimore’s Bayview. The 2009 deal was framed as a necessary incentive to build the former Legg Mason tower at 100 International Drive, but it also meant the city waived tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue.