New Mixed-Use Development, Parking Garage Expected Near Anne Arundel County Train Station

ODENTON, MD — The Odenton Town Center may soon get another mixed-use development and a new parking garage for train commuters.

The town center already has one set of apartments and shops. The proposed $35 million project would come in addition to the existing mixed-use community near the train station. Officials expect to finish construction in 2025.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D) touted the plans on Oct. 26 at a campaign event for Wes Moore, the Democratic nominee for governor.

"This place is going to be popping in the next few years," Pittman said during the event at the Odenton train station.

Future Of Odenton Town Center

The Odenton station is a hub for the Penn Line of the Maryland Area Rail Commuter, also known as the MARC train. The stop sits about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, so riders can travel to either city in around 30 minutes.

The station's parking lots are packed every weekday, but commuters head straight home after work.

Anne Arundel County leaders want to change that. That's where the new development comes in.

The state government owns the land around the Odenton train station, which has parking lots on both sides of the tracks.

A county official said the Maryland Board of Public Works on Oct. 26 voted to declare the land a surplus to their needs. This lets the state lease the property to the Anne Arundel County government.

The county plans to build the garage and the development on the west side of the tracks.

Crews will construct the garage on the part of the parking lot closest to the train station. The garage will have at least 1,000 parking spaces, which is more than the roughly 850 existing spaces.

Developers will build the mixed-use neighborhood on top of the parking lot closest to Annapolis Road. That community will feature shops and residences.

The Anne Arundel County government will pay for the construction.

The county will finance the effort with "dedicated revenue from a tax increment financing district," Anne Arundel's Chief Administrative Officer Matt Power wrote to Patch. Power added that the County Council approved that funding source "well before this administration."

"Underinvesting In The MARC"

Moore cheered the MARC station improvements during his Odenton campaign stop. Part of his transportation plan includes revamping the MARC to make it faster and more connected to towns with job opportunities.

"We are underinvesting in the MARC," Moore said.

Years ago, developers built the first phase of the Odenton Town Center one block west of the MARC station. This community, dubbed The Village at Odenton Station, added some businesses to encourage commuters to stick around after their shifts.

Apartments now sit atop the commercial spaces on the ground level. There's a steakhouse, a coffee shop, a few salons, a daycare and a couple of medical offices. Some of the storefronts are still vacant.

The county has previously eyed improvements to this growing area.

A few years ago, developers built an upscale townhouse community that neighbors the train station's east parking lot.

This year's county budget included money to build a nearby park between the Odenton Regional Library and the east side of the train station. That green space will feature walking trails and an ampitheater.

Andrew Pruski, the Democratic County Council Member for District 4, applauded the planned park. He said residents near the train station want more recreation resources.

"We want to bring in more to this area because the Odenton community is really asking for additional infrastructure," said Pruski, who is now running for state delegate in District 33A. "That includes the parks and rec."

High-Speed Rail In Odenton

For decades, Odenton has been known for its commuter trains. A new proposal hopes to add high-speed rail into the mix.

During Moore's campaign event at the station, a commuter interrupted and asked the nominee about his stance on high-speed rail. Patch could not interview that passenger, who boarded the MARC after her conversation with Moore.

"We need faster trains in the U.S.," the unknown rider told Moore.

The traveler was most interested in the proposal to build a superconducting magnetic levitation train between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. That largely underground train, known as the MAGLEV, is currently stuck in government reviews and land acquisition debates. It is still years away from seeking final approval, and there are plenty of hurdles to clear before then.

If ever approved and constructed, the MAGLEV train would run from Baltimore to Washington in 15 minutes. It would travel at 311 mph and have an intermediate stop at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The developers at Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail hope to eventually extend the route to New York City, connecting DC and Manhattan with an hour-long train ride.

Moore did not express his outright support or opposition to the MAGLEV train, which would carry a hefty price tag and require the acquisition of private property. He instead emphasized advancing existing infrastructure.

"We've got to be able to leverage the assets we have now," Moore told the passenger who questioned him.

Pittman and Pruski agreed that Anne Arundel County should focus on improving commuter trains.

Julie Hummer, the Democrat who is running to succeed Pruski on the County Council, pointed to the the MAGLEV's potential to uproot some local communities.

"MAGLEV is still in study phases, but the areas that it would displace ... that's an issue," Hummer said. "Let's work with what we have and make that as best as possible before we go get displacing others."

Related:

• Moore Promises MARC Train Investments, Balks At High-Speed Rail
• Maglev Foe Launches 11th Hour Bid To Impose New Costs On Rail Firm