Development at Prince George's 13 Metro Stations
Prince George's County has thirteen Metro stations that are key to the economic well-being and future of the county. Currently, there is virtually no development taking place at these stations while much of the county is auto-oriented with only limited access to transit. Most of the development that has occurred is residential, which contributes to an imbalance between the number of jobs and the amount of housing throughout the county. Residents in Prince George's County have longer commutes to their jobs than residents of any other jurisdiction and are sorely underserved by higher-end services and retail outlets.
Though the causes of this imbalance are complex, it is certainly influenced by a history of racial exclusion and preference for the western half of the region. This history prompted the Brookings Institution to call Washington "A Region Divided." Threats that would exacerbate the current imbalance, such as the proposed InterCounty Connector (ICC), are looming.
Instead of pouring money into expensive road projects that would increase the imbalance of resources and jobs in Prince George's County, money should be invested in commercial and residential development around the already existing and underutilized Metro stations. Such transit oriented development would reduce traffic congestion, create walkable communities that take advantage of existing infrastructure, revitalize older neighborhoods, protect our rural and natural resources and improve the economic outlook for the entire county.