anchor Description
The State operating budget provided million in the Governor's supplemental budget for projects in the White Flint North Bethesda area to support infrastructure for the redevelopment of that area as a Life Science/mixed use development hub. The State also authorized million for for the same redevelopment purposes. The focus on life science is in alignment with the JLL market feasibility report commissioned by WMATA for the WMATA property at the North Bethesda/White Flint Metro Station, which determined that "based on market research, physical capacity of the site, and current zoning and financial feasibility, a life science development is the highest and best use" for this property. The project will fund infrastructure that is designed to spur private sector redevelopment. These improvements will include investments to make the WMATA North Bethesda/White Flint Metro Station site pad ready, improvements to street grids and pedestrian and bicycle facilities and other placemaking investments.
anchorEstimated Schedule
Road infrastructure and site improvements to ready the site for development will commence in
anchor Justification
The undeveloped WMATA site is at the core of the North Bethesda/White Flint redevelopment area and is a key to spurring further development of the entire White Flint area. The JLL Market Feasibility report analysis noted that land values reflected the cost of development and construction of pad-ready sites. Similarly, the JLL White Flint Station Joint Development Initiative study looked at the specifics of development for the WMATA site and concluded that "life science supports residual land value to WMATA only if "pad-ready" sites are offered (e.g. - infrastructure funded outside the project). Based on these studies, the top priority for WMATA and the County for the use of the supplemental budget funds is site work on the WMATA property at the North Bethesda/White Flint Metro station to make that currently unimproved site more "development ready" for an expected solicitation of a master developer.
anchorFiscal Note
million approved in the State budget; million approved in the State budget.
anchorDisclosures
A pedestrian impact analysis will be performed during design or is in progress.
The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.
anchorCoordination
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), Department of Transportation, local community advisory groups such as the White Flint Downtown Advisory Committee, White Flint Planning Advisory Group, and the North Bethesda Transportation Management District. Studies include: WMATA White Flint Market Feasibility Report completed December March WMATA-commission JLL, White Flint Station Joint Development Initiative study (November White Flint segment Master Plan; Pike District Placemaking Report (Maier and Warner, March and Advancing the Pike District study (Dec