MDOT Seeking Developers for Odenton MARC Station’s Surrounding Community

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

Photo and caption courtesy of Maryland Department of Transportation

HANOVER, Md. - The Maryland Department of Transportation has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a team to develop the area surrounding Odenton MARC station.

According to the release, a team will “advance a strategic plan for the MARC Penn Line, which seeks to create denser, transit-oriented, mixed-use communities along the rail corridor between Washington and Baltimore.” Located on the west side of Odenton MARC Station is a 13-acre surface parking lot that provides an opportunity for housing and retail development. MDOT is seeking for teams with a “track record in partnering with public sector agencies in delivering transit-oriented developments and affordable housing.”

The area around the Odenton MARC Station will see mixed-use development that includes 900 new housing units, 38,000 square feet of retail, 1,360 new jobs, $270 million in state and local tax revenue and close to 117,000 annual MARC trips. Additionally, the surrounding area will see new sidewalks, bike paths, and trails.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said, “This public solicitation is the first step toward improving transit connectivity, creating new jobs and expanding affordable housing options along the MARC Penn Line. . . 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 station is part of the Penn Line Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy Plan, a larger plan to grow the the MARC’s busiest commuter rail line.

Proposals are due January 24, 2025. Through Spring 2025, MDOT will go through a pre-qualified list of teams to submit development proposals and select a development team next summer. The MDOT will negotiate a “Master Developer Agreement allowing the development of the site.” This covers the first phase of the project plan.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day said, “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. . . This solicitation will play a critical role in the future of Odenton and its residents, adding new housing, jobs and services to the community. We’re proud to partner with MDOT on advancing transit-oriented development opportunities like this one across the state.”