The Maryland Departments of Transportation, Planning, and General Services, together with the City of Baltimore, have targeted State Center and its surroundings for a new transit-oriented development effort. The TOD area includes multiple state government office buildings and parking lots, the State Center Metro stop, the Cultural Center Light Rail stop and the area within walking distance of these attractions.

The three state agencies and the City invite members of the public to help launch the effort by attending presentations and "pin-ups" during a planning & design charrette during the week of January 10-14. Public presentations will be held each evening at State Center on Preston Street. The effort will:

· analyze the character and site conditions of State-owned land and other development opportunities in the station area;
· define a long-term vision for the area; and
· create a comprehensive strategy and framework for attracting appropriate, high-quality development to the State Center area.

To ensure that the discussion reflects fiscal and market realities, the process will incorporate a market analysis that profiles regional and city-level market forces and an evaluation of local market opportunities. In addition to articulating desired outcomes based on sound fiscal analysis, the framework will include development standards and diagrams and illustrations of land uses, circulation and parking.

Ultimately, this planning effort will enable policymakers and the community to define and guide future development and redevelopment in the area. The goal is to create an economically vibrant place that takes full advantage of the existing subway and light rail stations and to increase transit ridership.

For information, contact:

Sam Bradner or Kristen Forsyth
Office of Smart Growth
Maryland Department of Planning
410.767.4500