BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking a development team to transform a 13-acre parking lot at the Odenton MARC Station into a vibrant mixed-use community. The project, the first phase in a broader effort to revitalize the MARC Penn Line, could yield over 900 housing units and generate more than $270 million in gross tax revenue for the state over 30 years.

The project envisions a community with more than 900 housing units, 38,000 square feet of retail space, and enhanced transit connectivity. MDOT is looking for developers with a track record of successful public-private partnerships, particularly in transit-oriented developments and affordable housing projects.

“This public solicitation is the first step toward improving transit connectivity, creating new jobs and expanding affordable housing options along the MARC Penn Line,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “At MDOT, we look forward to engaging with experienced development teams that can become long-term partners in developing the Odenton MARC Station into a vibrant community where people can live, work and have fun.”

The Odenton MARC Station is about two miles from Fort Meade, Maryland’s largest employer. The project will include more than two miles of new sidewalks, trails, and bike paths to enhance connectivity and improve access to public transportation. The project will also enhance local bus and shuttle routes. Proposals for the project are due Jan. 24, 2025.

MDOT will establish a pre-qualified list of teams from which formal development proposals will be solicited in spring 2025. MDOT aims to select a development team next summer and negotiate a Master Developer Agreement for the project. The Odenton MARC Station project is the first phase in a larger effort to redevelop state-owned land surrounding MARC Penn Line stations, a vision outlined in the Penn Line Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy Plan (PDF). This comprehensive plan includes recommendations for developing 170 acres of undeveloped state-owned land around Penn Line stations, including a nearly 8-acre parcel on the north side of the Odenton MARC Station which MDOT is also exploring for future redevelopment.

The Maryland Department of Transportation announced the issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on Dec. 3, 2024. The RFQ can be found here. This is the first immediate chance to create a strategic plan for the MARC Penn Line, aiming to develop denser, transit-oriented, mixed-use communities along the rail corridor between Washington and Baltimore. The project could result in over 900 housing units and more than $270 million in gross tax revenue for the State over 30 years.

MDOT is collaborating with Anne Arundel County to develop this project, aligning with the county’s Plan2040 and the Odenton Town Center Master Plan. “This is an important step for Odenton and Anne Arundel County, and we’re looking forward to working with the Maryland Department of Transportation and a development team to deliver better amenities, improved services, and real benefits for the Odenton community,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Transit-oriented development like this is key to creating sustainable, connected communities that meet the needs of residents now and into the future.”

“In order to address Maryland’s housing crisis and expand economic opportunity for our residents and their communities, we must create more housing — particularly housing near transit,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo: Rendering showing new development opportunities at the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration Penn Line Odenton MARC Station in Anne Arundel County.