ODENTON, MD — Commuters parking at the Odenton MARC Train Station will have to make some adjustments over the next several months as the county undertakes a new construction project.
A representative from the Anne Arundel County Executive's Office told Patch that a portion of the station's parking lot will close starting Sept. 14 and will remain blocked off for the next three to four months.
The parking lot closure will impact a total of 107 existing parking spaces.
Officials do not presently anticipate the need for overflow parking. However, if needed, commuters will be "directed to the MARC parking lot on the north side of MD 175, which connects to the MARC platform via a walkway under MD 175."
The looming closures will allow the county to create replacement ADA-compliant parking spaces before construction for a new commuter garage gets underway later this year.
The garage project is part of a larger initiative between the Maryland Department of Transportation, Anne Arundel County and developers to create a new transit-driven community.
Officials announced last year that 10 acres on the west side of the station's parking lot would be converted into 585 residential units, along with space for retail and public amenities. A pedestrian and bicycle path is also expected to improve access to the station.
A starting date for the garage construction was not provided to Patch, although officials did state that access to the southern portion of the existing parking lot will be closed once it begins.
"At that time, additional parking will be marked and available on the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company property, and a free shuttle will be provided for users to and from that lot," a county representative told Patch.
"The entire MARC lot on the north side of MD 175 will also be available throughout construction."
Once finished, the parking garage is expected to accommodate 1,100 vehicles.
Maryland Transportation acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle previously described the development project as "an exciting step forward to utilize state-owned property by transit stations to our advantage and create new, affordable housing units and retail space that will grow our economy."
Authorities say the development, part of MDOT's MARC Penn Line Strategy and the Odenton Town Center Master Plan, could generate $270 million in tax revenue for the state and Anne Arundel County over 30 years.
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