A New Transit-Oriented Downtown for New Carrollton, Maryland

The New Carrollton transit station will add Purple Line light rail to its multi-modal mix; planners at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) hope to leverage the new transit for new land use and development around the station.

1 minute read

February 17, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Katherine Shaver reports: "Metro hopes to help make its New Carrollton station the centerpiece of a new walkable 'downtown' by replacing the bus zone and Kiss and Ride parking lot with two buildings that could accommodate apartments or offices, according to a proposal to be presented to the Metro board Thursday [February 6]."

"The buildings would be at the station’s south entrance, off Garden City Drive, and would be part of a years-long effort by Prince George’s County officials to transform the station surrounded by vast parking lots into a vibrant urban center of offices, apartments, shops and restaurants," adds Shaver.

The New Carrollton station currently serves Amtrak trains on Northeast Corridor line, MARC commuter rail between Baltimore and the District, and Greyhound buses—the Metro Purple Line will reach its eastern terminus at the station when complete (currently scheduled for 2022).

Sunday, February 9, 2020 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Wood-framed multi-family building under construction with red crane behind it.

California Creates Housing-Focused Agency

Previously, the state’s housing and homelessness programs fell under a grabbag department that also regulates the alcohol industry, car mechanics, and horse racing.

1 hour ago - CALmatters

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

3 hours ago - WTTV

Red and black pavilion with visitor information in public park in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Baker Creek Pavilion: Blending Nature and Architecture in Knoxville

Knoxville’s urban wilderness planning initiative unveils the "Baker Creek Pavilion" to increase the city's access to green spaces.

5 hours ago - Dezeen