Annapolis, MD – County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation today announced that Anne Arundel County has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to support the Odenton MARC Station development as part of the new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund. The Odenton MARC Station is a vital component of the Penn Line Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy Plan, known as a central hub within the community and one of the MARC's busiest commuter rail lines.
This significant funding will be designated for the pre-construction of a new parking garage at the Odenton MARC Station. This investment will support mixed-use development at the Odenton train station by freeing up existing parking for development opportunities that will help reduce traffic congestion, advance economic development, and create a community where residents can live, work, and play.
"This type of transit-oriented development is essential to building more sustainable and connected communities," said County Executive Steuart Pittman. "The investment in the Odenton MARC Station will increase public transit use and improve our economy and environment. This grant will yield lasting, generational benefits for our communities."
The MDOT TOD Fund, established by the Equitable Inclusive TOD Enhancement Act, was sponsored by Senator Malcolm Augustine and Delegate Jazz Lewis and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore in 2023. The TOD Enhancement Act will enable the advancement of projects near transit stations that produce economic activity, increase connectivity, and expand housing opportunities across Maryland.
"Our work within the transportation sector is all about transforming and revitalizing our communities," said Office of Transportation Director Samuel Snead. "This achievement highlights the critical value of real partnerships between state agencies and county departments, particularly the exceptional collaboration with the Office of Planning and Zoning. I am looking forward to our continued success together."
The county will continue working closely with MDOT as the Department selects a development partner for the Odenton site. The redevelopment opportunity seeks to create a mixed-use development with a focus on housing, multimodal access, safety, an increase in transit ridership, and enhanced connectivity between the site, the MARC Station, and the existing neighborhood.
A new round of TOD funding will be announced later this year, allowing eligible local jurisdictions to apply for up to $1 million for planning, design, or public infrastructure improvements. When partnered with a local jurisdiction, nonprofit or private development partners can seek up to $1 million in gap funding for state-designated projects. For more information, please click here.
