Project Objectives

The approved 2010 Subregion 4 Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment recommends an implementation program that focuses on transit-oriented development, neighborhood conservation, and infrastructure and urban design improvements concentrated around eight Metro stations and two corridors—MD 214 and MD 4—in the central part of Prince George's County. The Subregion 4 TOD Implementation Project is targeting the Central Avenue (MD 214) corridor within the county. Connectivity to employment and recreational centers—and proximity to four Metro stations—present strong opportunities for attracting transit-oriented development, increasing and diversifying the county's economic base and positioning the county as a desirable place to live.

The implementation program has a dual focus. It will promote transit-oriented development, high-quality urban design, and station accessibility around the Capitol Heights and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metro Stations while strengthening neighboring residential communities. It will also forge a clear marketing and economic development campaign and support business attraction and retention efforts along the broader Metro Blue Line corridor, extending from the District of Columbia to the Largo Town Center Metro Station.

Key program objectives:

• Conduct a series of community educational and outreach programs focused on the transit-oriented development opportunities along the Central Avenue and Metro Blue Line corridor and the appropriate planning and zoning strategies necessary to achieve sustainable community and county growth.
• Form partnerships with economic, business, and community stakeholders to develop and initiate a strategic marketing campaign and business retention and attraction program.
• Identify and prioritize the transit-oriented development opportunities presented by the Addison Road-Seat Pleasant and Capitol Heights Metro Stations and, in partnership with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and county economic development and redevelopment agencies, prepare solicitations for private development and job creation.
• Initiate and complete the pedestrian access improvement study that has been funded through a 2011 Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation/Land Use Connections Program grant.
• Undertake a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle access improvement plan for the Central Avenue corridor focused on creating "complete streets" and safe and functional accessibility to and from the Capitol Heights and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metro Stations and surrounding neighborhoods and commercial districts.
• Prepare a sectional map amendment and corresponding zoning map and text amendments for the Central Avenue corridor based on further analysis of land use, economic, neighborhood, environmental, transportation, and urban design issues and opportunities.