For immediate release: April 6, 2020

Metro announces changes to public hearings for the Grosvenor garage expansion and New Carrollton Development projects due to restrictions during COVID-19 emergency

Metro today announced alternate plans to allow testimony during two upcoming public hearings in order to comply with stay-at-home orders that prohibit public gatherings in Maryland, Virginia and the District and to protect employees and the public during the COVID-19 health emergency. In lieu of in-person testimony, speakers may provide their input by phone regarding the proposed changes to the Grosvenor-Strathmore garage expansion and New Carrollton Development projects.

Presentations will be made available prior to the public hearings at wmata.com/plansandprojects approximately one week before the schedule hearing date. During the specified time for each hearing, speakers will be allowed up to five minutes to provide recorded testimony by voicemail. All testimony will be transcribed verbatim and included in the hearing record.

GROSVENOR-STRATHMORE GARAGE EXPANSION

Construction is currently underway on Phase 1 of a joint development at Grosvenor-Strathmore Station that would replace approximately 52 percent of the surface parking. The project initially approved by the Board of Directors would replace the remaining spaces during Phase 2 of the garage expansion. Due to the costs of the Phase 2 addition and disruption to the Kiss & Ride and Arts Walk, Metro is considering several options that include moving forward with a planned addition, cancelling future construction or delaying the decision until an evaluation is completed.

Due to the postponement of the public hearing until April 20, Metro has extended the comment period through 5 p.m. on May 1, 2020.

Provide written comment online, including the ability to upload documents

Participate in a public hearing*:

NEW DATE: Monday, April 20, 2020

TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

CALL: 202-962-1901 or TTY: 202-962-2033

*Due to the prohibition of public gatherings related to COVID-19, the public hearing will be conducted by telephone only. All testimony must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020 for consideration.

For additional information go to wmata.com/plansandprojects.

NEW CARROLLTON – JOINT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

At New Carrollton Station, Metro is seeking to update the master plan as part of a joint development with Urban Atlantic that would add two new building sites to create an urbanized town center and more walkable community.

To accommodate the expansion, Metro would close the surface parking lots on the east side of the station and replace the County parking garage with a new, larger Metro garage

The public is encouraged to provide input by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2020:

Provide written comment online, including the ability to upload documents

Participate in a public hearing*:

DATE: Monday, April 27, 2020

TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

CALL: 202-962-1901 or TTY: 202-962-2033

*Due to the prohibition of public gatherings related to COVID-19, the public hearing will be conducted by telephone only. All testimony must be received by Thursday, May 7, 2020, at 5 p.m. to be included in the public record.

For additional information go to wmata.com/plansandprojects.

All comments and public feedback must be received by the dates noted above and will be provided to Metro’s Board of Directors for consideration prior to making a decision later this year.

For those without access to a computer or internet, written testimony may also be submitted by mail to:

Office of the Secretary
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001