Presentation to MAHRA
Strategies for Connecting Transportation and
Affordable Housing: The Prince George’s County
Perspective
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Eric C. Brown, Director, Prince George’ s County Department of Housing and Community Development
What is Transit Oriented Development
• Transit-oriented development, or TOD, is a type of community
development that includes a mixture of housing, office, retail and/or
other commercial development and amenities integrated into a
walkable neighborhood and located within a half-mile of quality
public transportation. ( Center for Transit Oriented Development)
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TOD creates better access to jobs, housing and opportunity for people of all
ages and incomes. ( Reconnecting America)
Benefits of TOD
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Reduced household driving and thus lowered
regional congestion, air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions
Walkable communities that accommodate
more healthy and active lifestyles
Increased transit ridership and fare revenue
Potential for added value created through
increased and/or sustained property values
where transit investments have occurred
Improved access to jobs and economic
opportunity for low-income people and
working families
Expanded mobility choices that reduce
dependence on the automobile, reduce
transportation costs and free up household
income for other purposes
Reduced household spending on
transportation, resulting in more affordable
housing
Reduced incentive to sprawl, increased
incentive for compact development
Obstacles to TOD
• Land prices around stations are high, or increase because
of speculation when a new transit line is planned.
• Affordable housing developers don’t have the capital to
acquire land before the prices go up and hold it until it’s ready
to be developed.
• Funding for affordable housing is limited.
• Mixed-income and mixed-use projects require complex
financing structures.
• Sites often require land assembly and rezoning, leading to lengthy
acquisition and permitting processes that increase costs.
• Community opposition to density and affordable housing can be challenging.
Community outreach and education up front can be very helpful,
but also time-consuming and costly.
• Affordable development at these sites requires collaboration among the
public, private and nonprofit sectors, which can be difficult to coordinate
given the different needs, constraints and schedules of each partner.
Obstacles to TOD
Existing single-use zoning and suburban style parking minimums can reduce
the development potential and make construction of affordable units
financially infeasible
Affordable housing developer have a difficult time getting projects financed
Strategies and tools to support Affordable Housing Near
TOD
• Develop a comprehensive strategy for the production
and preservation of affordable housing near transit
centers
• Engage and obtain the broadest community support
• Expedite the review of TOD projects
• Reduce parking requirements for TOD
• Inclusionary Zoning
• Flexible Zoning
• Right of First Refusal
Prince George’s County TOD
Perspective
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The county is home to 15 of the
region's 86 Metrorail stations.
Within one-half mile of the county's
Metrorail stations are over 2,500 acres
of undeveloped land, providing ample
opportunities for innovative, mixed-use
development with a strong emphasis
on transit-oriented design.
Prince George’s County has launched
specific strategies to “jump start”
Transit Oriented Development
Components to Jump starting TOD in Prince George’s County
1. Focus
All 15 County Metro Stations will
benefit from this initiative, but five
Metro Stations are established as the
highest priority for financial and other
incentives.
2. Infrastructure
The County commits to support
infrastructure needs the priority
stations, including source of funds
and timetable.
3. Fast-track
TOD projects will move through the
regulatory approval process with
unprecedented speed.
4. Financial Incentives
Tax credits, grants, low-cost loans,
bond financing and fee reductions will
be used to reduce private
development costs.
5. Vision & Marketing
Each Metro Station will build a unique
“brand” suited to its particular market
strengths.
6. Leadership & Collaboration
The County will take a leading role in
working with local, state, regional and
federal partners to implement TOD.
Focus on Five High Priority TOD
Largo Town Center Metrorail Station
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Located west of Lottsford Road, south of
Arena Drive, and north of Central Avenue
(MD 214).
The nearest communities are Lake Arbor
and Largo.
Access is via Landover Road (MD 202),
Harry S Truman Drive, Arena Drive,
Lottsford Road, and Brightseat Road.
Prince George's Plaza Metrorail Station
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Located at the intersection of East West
Highway (MD 410) and Belcrest Road.
The nearest communities are the City of
Hyattsville, the City of College Park, and the
Town of University Park.
The station area is within a transit district
overlay zone (TDOZ).
Access is via East West Highway (MD 410),
Queens Chapel Road (MD 500), Adelphi
Road, and Belcrest Road.
New Carrollton Metrorail Station
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At the eastern end of the Orange Line at the
Capital Beltway, a major mixed-use transit
center is taking shape as plans for additional
office (including Maryland DHCD
headquarters), local-serving retail, and
multifamily residential uses within easy
walking distance.
This station is a major multimodal hub with
Metro, AMTRAK, MARC, a Greyhound Bus
Terminal, and local County bus service
available.
Internal Revenue Service headquarters
employ 5,000 workers and the 200-acre
Metro East Office Park is located southeast
of the station
Suitland Metrorail Station
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Adjacent to the Suitland Federal Center with
over 7,000 employees, the plan calls for new
development and redevelopment that will
provide housing and services for Federal
Center employees, quality commercial
space, a variety of housing types, a mixedincome neighborhood, and homeownership
opportunities for the community.
Located north of Suitland Parkway at the
intersection with Silver Hill Road.
Adjacent to the Metro station is the Suitland
Federal Center, which employs 9,150
people.
Access is via Silver Hill Road, Suitland
Parkway, and Branch Avenue (MD 5).
Branch Avenue Metrorail Station
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Branch Avenue is the last station on the
southern Green Line, located just north of
the Capital Beltway.
Located just inside the Capital Beltway
(Interstate 95/495), east of Branch Avenue,
and north of Auth Road.
The nearest communities are Auth Village
and the Town of Morningside.
Strategies for TOD
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Focus on five Metro stations
Expedited review of TOD projects in priority areas
Flexible Zoning
Tax Increment Financing
Right of First Refusal
Strategies for connecting Transportation
and Affordable Housing
QUESTIONS?