BUILDING TACTICAL REVITALIZATION PLAN DOWNTOWN

State Center Transit- Oriented Development
Maryland Department of Transportation
Anita Morrison and Abigail Ferretti worked with the Maryland Department of
Transportation on a major public/private venture to replace the existing obsolete State
office complex in Midtown Baltimore. Sited in a pivotal location between light rail, subway
and Amtrak stations, the 1960s development separates nine neighborhoods from key
transit stations; its single-purpose use leaves the area desolate after dark and on weekends.
Prior to founding PES, Abigail helped to develop the initial redevelopment concept in
collaboration with stakeholders and the community. She helped to draft the developer
Request for Qualifications and then evaluated the development proposals, conducting the
due diligence review and working with the selection committee. The public and private
development partners have designed a mixed-use, mixed-income project that leverages the
State’s investment in new office space so as to enliven an important part of the city,
enhance the pedestrian links between adjoining neighborhoods and transit stations and
encourage transit use. Included are 1.9 million square feet of State and private office space,
250,000 square feet of retail space, 1,400 mixed-income rental and for-sale housing units
and support parking. We represented MDOT and the State of Maryland in analyzing,
revising and negotiating the project pro forma financial plan and in briefing the Governor’s
and legislative staffs.
Transportation Financing Strategies
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Like many jurisdictions, Prince George’s County is facing major funding shortfalls for road
construction and maintenance. Traditional gas tax funding has not kept pace with the
needs. The County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordnance requires that developers improve
intersections and roads impacted by new development; however, that is not sufficient to
deal with the full range of impacts on the overall transportation networks. PES conducted
a literature search and prepared case studies of alternative approaches to transportation
finance. Among the tools evaluated were mileage-based fees, congestion pricing,
assessment districts, impact fees and value capture (e.g., tax-increment financing). Case
studies of financing tools used in Portland, OR; Montgomery and Howard counties, MD;
Broward County, FL; and DeKalb County, GA
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provided insights into the details of different
funding tools and implementation approaches. PES also examined the differential impacts
on County transportation maintenance costs of residential developments at varying
densities.
3.16
Dover,
Downtown
Kohl & Partners
Durham
et al
Market Assessment and Development Strategy
Downtown Durham, Inc.
January 11, 2013
As part of a multi-disciplinary team, PES assessed market demand and development
potentials in Downtown Durham, NC and helped to develop a retail strategy. The strategy
built upon the growing base of quality restaurants with support for local entrepreneurs.