On Wednesday, the state Board of Public Works approved the next step for transit-oriented development projects at the State Center Metro and Savage MARC train stations. Christopher Patusky is director of the Maryland Department of Transportation?s office of real estate.
Why is transit-oriented development important to Maryland?
Mass transit is the most efficient and cheapest form of transit. It allows citizens to move around more effectively. It reduces congestion.
By focusing development around mass transportation, we can reduce sprawl and pollutants. We have this large investment in a mass transportation system that now has expanded capacity, so we?re moving forward with transit-oriented development.
Could this have been done before the recent action and plans to expand the MARC system?
It?s a matter of degree. We are doing [transit-oriented development] with our existing stations. We have projects completed, under construction and in the pipeline. The more you extend the service, the more bang you get for the buck and the more benefits you see.
It?s also a great source of economic development for the communities. With Owings Mills, State Center and Savage [train stations], the private investment in those mixed-use developments is going to total more than $2.5 million.
What comes after that?
We have a series of projects in the pipeline. We?re looking at New Carrolton [and a] series of stations in Prince George?s County.
What?s working?
Northern Virginia. … They planned ahead, they zoned appropriately … and the local jurisdictions supported it. As a result, they have expanded tax bases in those areas, and that?s the direction we?re heading.
