ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 12, 2007) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of two measures that will allow planned Smart Growth development around two of the state’s key transit stations to move to the next phase. BPW approval was given to an interim development agreement for the $1.2 billion redevelopment of State Center in the heart of Baltimore City. The Board also approved a measure that will eventually allow a $200 million transit oriented development to be constructed on state owned property adjacent to the Savage MARC station in Howard County.
“By creating development and density around established transit stations, we can improve the adjacent communities, increase transit use, and create a better environment by reducing the number of cars on the road,” said Governor O’Malley. “The State Center and Savage projects are the first of many transit oriented development projects that we have planned as we manage Smart Growth across the state.”
Transit Oriented Development, or TOD, involves using property around transit stations to create quality mixed-use developments consisting of office, retail and residential space. By creating population density around the transit stations, transit ridership increases and the congestion and environmental impacts caused by cars is reduced.
The planned $1.2 billion State Center project will involve the revitalization of 25-acres in Baltimore City. It will be the largest single-site development effort in Baltimore since the Inner Harbor. The vision for the State Center project was created with substantial input from community members living in the nine neighborhoods adjacent to the site. Their valuable contributions were made possible through an unprecedented outreach effort conducted by the State, Baltimore City and the development team.
The Interim Development Agreement approved today is between the state Department of General Services and State Center LLC, a private sector development team led by Baltimore based Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse. The terms of the IDA will govern the development over the next year of a Master Development Agreement (MDA). That Master Development Agreement will outline what will be constructed and the responsibilities of the parties. It also will be subject to Board of Public Works approval.
The Board of Public Works today also approved a measure to eventually clear state owned property around the Savage MARC station for use in a $200 million mixed use development. In addition to retail, office and residential space, the planned Savage MARC project will include a parking garage for MARC riders and a hotel.
Media Contacts: Governor's Press Office
Rick Abbruzzese
Office: 410-974-2316
Cell: 443-336-1556
Christine Hansen
Office: 410-974-2316
Cell: 443-336-5270
Department of General Services
Dave Humphrey
410-767-4652 |
