Miles SmithThe Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is planning to spur economic development and reduce emissions from vehicular traffic by encouraging construction of apartments and other housing within walking distance of rail transportation.
MDOT’s 73-page strategic plan includes building up to 2,600 units along the MARC Penn rail line on 170 undeveloped acres. The plan, if enacted, would represent a major shift from the current setup, which mostly includes rail stations and nearby parking lots.
The new plan comes on the heels of a recently passed Maryland state law that allows for greater housing density within a half mile of train stations.
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The strategy supports the state’s goals to reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainable travel options. New development would improve access to transit and other modes of transportation, reducing auto-dependency, while it would also adhere to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Complete Streets policy that requires safe infrastructure for all road users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.
“The MARC Penn Line provides a vital connection for those traveling in the Baltimore-Washington region” says Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Cultivating transit-oriented development near Penn Line stations is critical to increasing the use of transit and helping the state to achieve our climate goals.”
Development opportunities are located near stations near Seabrook, Bowie State, Odenton, BWI Airport, Halethorpe and West Baltimore, MDOT says. Longer-term opportunities have also been identified at the four stations north of Baltimore Penn Station: Martin Airport, Edgewood, Aberdeen and Perryville.
Odenton and Bowie State were identified as initial priority stations for development. The Maryland Department of Transportation says it was already working with partners at both locations to facilitate joint development.
The MDOT Office of Real Estate and Economic Development plans to release a public development solicitation opportunity at Odenton MARC Station later this fall and is working in coordination with public partners around Bowie State University to catalyze future development and expansion of the university anchored by the MARC station.
In Anne Arundel County, the plan includes adding a mixed-use development at Odenton, with more than 900 new housing units, 1,360 new jobs, $270 million in state and local tax revenue, and upwards of 117,000 new annual MARC trips at the station.
“This work would build on recent development of multifamily and mixed-use construction near Odenton Station, which is home to single family home neighborhoods, retail and Fort Meade,” MDOT says.
At Bowie State, MDOT’s vision calls for a partnership with Prince George’s County and Bowie State University for an expansion of the University campus and potential growth on the west side of the train tracks.
Additional redevelopment of land primarily owned by the Maryland Department of Transportation can yield more than 400 housing units and $108 million in state and local tax revenue, while adding up to 42,000 annual MARC trips, according to MDOT.
Photo courtesy Acroterion
