The Maryland transportation department awarded $1.25 million worth of grants to support transit-oriented development projects in Baltimore City as well as Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties.
These projects will involve the construction of dense, mixed-use developments near transit stations with the aim of expanding housing opportunities, increasing transit ridership, stimulating economies, and improving connection among communities.
The grants are part of the first round of funding through the Transit-Oriented Development Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund, which the Maryland Department of Transportation launched in February 2025.
Among the grant awards is $250,000 to create a plan for development along Wabash Avenue between the West Cold Spring Metro Station and the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Station in northwest Baltimore.
The Reisterstown station is the site of a mixed-used joint development project being led by the Maryland Department of Transportation and Wabash Development Partners.
The grant will help further support access to current and future transit-oriented developments near these stations.
Other first-round grant awards include $750,00 for pre-construction of a new parking garage at the Odenton MARC Station in Anne Arundel County; and $250,000 for preliminary design and community engagement for Project Connect, including a new entrance, public plazas and other infrastructure investments at the North Bethesda Metro Station in Montgomery County.
“These grants will help jumpstart the progress of building unique, dense communities around transit stations that will further connect Marylanders to opportunities,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement. “Thank you to Governor Moore, Senator Malcolm Augustine, Delegate Jazz Lewis and all our partners in the General Assembly for the creation of the TOD Fund. Our collective vision and investment to increase development near transit stations will create dividends of economic prosperity in Maryland for decades to come.”
Maryland Sen. Malcolm Augustine and Del. Jazz Lewis, both Prince George’s County Democrats who sponsored the legislation to create the fund, touted the benefits that transit-oriented development projects will have across the state.
“Investing in transit-oriented development will improve our economy and improve the daily commute of thousands of Marylanders,” Lewis said in a statement.
“Transit-oriented development will help create strong communities in Prince George’s County and across the state that are centered around providing equitable access to transportation and opportunities,” Augustine said in a statement.
The Maryland Department of Transportation evaluated grant applications and selected the awardees in coordination with the State Highway Administration, Maryland Transit Administration and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
State officials will announce a new round of funding later this year.
Eligible local jurisdictions can apply for up to $1 million for planning, design or public infrastructure improvements.
Nonprofit or private development partners can partner with a local jurisdiction to apply for up to $1 million in gap funding for projects within a State-designated transit-oriented development.
