The City of Frederick has received an official Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) designation from the State of Maryland for the area surrounding the Frederick MARC Station. This designation opens up new opportunities for enhancing access to housing, jobs, and public transit while positioning the area to be more competitive for future state funding.
Transit-Oriented Development promotes the creation of walkable neighborhoods that feature a blend of housing, businesses, offices, and public spaces in close proximity to high-quality transit options. By focusing development around transit hubs, residents, workers, and visitors can benefit from easier access to their daily destinations through walking, biking, or using public transportation.
Mayor Michael O’Connor expressed enthusiasm about the designation, stating, “The MARC station is one of Frederick’s greatest transportation assets. This designation gives us additional tools to build on that strength by attracting investment, expanding housing opportunities, and creating more connected neighborhoods that serve residents, commuters, businesses, and visitors alike.”
The TOD designation aligns with several priorities outlined in the City’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, including the expansion of housing opportunities, encouragement of multimodal transportation, promotion of sustainable development, and support for economic vitality. Moreover, it enhances the competitiveness of local projects for various state funding programs, financing tools, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
For residents seeking more information about Maryland’s Transit-Oriented Development Program, resources are available on the Maryland Department of Transportation’s website. Additionally, inquiries can be directed to Brandon Mark, Division Manager of Community Planning and Urban Design, via email at bmark@cityoffrederickmd.gov or by phone at 301-600-1248.