Transit Oriented Development Gets Green Light in New Carrollton
September 19, 2011 |
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has announced a new mixed-use development near the largely underutilized (from a land-use-planning standpoint) New Carrollton Metro station for the new headquarters for the State Department of Housing and Community Development. See the Washington Post Story today for details.
This is good news for Prince George’s County. It is also a good example of sound, transit-oriented development to bring more jobs to parts of the region that need more employment opportunities, already have a large supply of workforce housing nearby, and that are near current or planned transit centers. The proposed new development will include a mix of retail, housing and commercial office space, all of which will help to minimize the need to drive everywhere.
Adding density where it is needed most — near our Metro stations — is one of the long-term strategies that the entire region is pursuing to varying degrees. While this is no panacea for the region’s traffic problems, and in the real world will only make a small dent in the future growth of travel demand, it is a small step in the right direction and worthy of support.
Congratulations to Prince George’s County and the Governor for getting this one right.
