By Dr. Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
The woods surrounding the current Bowie MARC Station will soon be transformed into a vibrant village, thanks to a new coordinated state-county partnership announced by Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy.
Miller and Braveboy joined Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux July 21 to announce the partners who will guide the development of 100 acres of state- and county-owned land surrounding the MARC station into “transit-oriented development” with an eye toward advancing housing, connectivity, infrastructure and economic opportunities for the county and state.
Mosaic Development Partners JV and Campus Apartments have been selected as the state’s joint development partner while Prince George’s County has selected BSU MARCH Community Partners, LLC to steer the multi-year project to transform the land bordering the university’s campus.
“Transportation-oriented development is about access – access to jobs, education, healthcare and the opportunities that help people build better lives,” Miller said at the partnership announcement. “When we create vibrant walkable communities connected by reliable transit, we make it easier for Marylanders to reach opportunity and for opportunity to reach every Maryland community.”
“Transportation oriented development is about access – access to jobs, education, healthcare, and the opportunities that help people build better lives.” – Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller
Braveboy said the 93 acres surrounding the MARC station and HBCU campus that will be managed by the Revenue Authority of Prince George’s County is slated for 400 total housing units, including multi-family and single-family homes, as well as retail, commercial business and office and innovation spaces.
“This is another example of how my administration is laser focused on economic development,” Braveboy said. “We are elevating the quality of development throughout the county to bring the much-needed retail, housing, and entertainment our residents deserve. I look forward to continued partnership with MDOT (Maryland Department of Transportation), Bowie State University and the state of Maryland to advance this transit-oriented development.”
Mosaic Development Partners JV and Campus Apartments will lead a master planning process for the area that includes the state’s 4.6-acre site along the north side of the rail corridor. The Maryland Department of Transportation will contribute up to $1.5 million in support of the planning, including evaluation of long-term redevelopment opportunities surrounding the station. Key infrastructure items include an extended MARC platform, a new pedestrian bridge connecting the MARC platform to Bowie State University’s campus and improved bike and pedestrian access throughout the area.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Kathryn “Katie” Thomson reiterated the importance of selecting the Bowie MARC Station for this joint project. “The Bowie State MARC Station is a prime location along the MARC Penn Line for transit-oriented development, and I’m thrilled to have the state’s selected-development partner on board to build out our vision,” said Thomson.
Bowie State University President Breaux celebrated the mix of new housing, business opportunities and transit that will be available at the campus’ doorstep as a result of the Bowie MARC project. “This development advances our vision for Bowie State to continue serving as an anchor institution that expands opportunity, strengthens communities and expands the economic vitality of our community,”Breaux said.
The State of Maryland developed a memorandum of understanding to guide the master planning partnership with Prince George’s County and Bowie State University. The development team includes a diverse coalition of industry leaders, including Wellness Real Estate (WRE) Innovations, Impact Capital Partners, L.A. Bolden, MCN Build, and LEO A DALY, reflecting the County’s commitment to partnering with women-owned, minority-owned, and County-based businesses.
