WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin joined Metro’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and other state and local leaders to celebrate the opening of the Metro Building at New Carrollton.
The ribbon cutting ceremony marks the continued transformation of New Carrollton as a transit-accessible hub for office space, housing, and retail. Metro’s newest office building brings together Metro’s call centers for customer service, MetroAccess, and parking under one roof, and serves as the headquarters for Metro Transit Police. The 324,00 square foot building is LEED Gold certified and is currently occupied by approximately 1,200 employees.
The opening of the Metro Building at New Carrollton follows the opening of Metro’s Headquarters Building at L’Enfant Plaza last year, and will be followed by the opening of the Metro Building at Eisenhower Avenue later this year. The three office buildings represent Metro’s commitment to the jurisdictions served by the transit system, and are consolidating Metro’s workforce into fewer buildings to promote efficiency and responsible financial stewardship.
Several other projects at New Carrollton are underway, including a project to improve and expand the transit hub funded by a federal RAISE Grant awarded last year. The project will support the construction of a new train hall, prepare the site for the arrival of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Purple Line, and create new trails and walkways to improve pedestrian and bike access to the station.
Construction at New Carrollton is also underway on The Margaux, a mixed-use joint development partnership between Metro and Urban Atlantic that will soon offer 291 housing which will be affordable thanks to low-rate financing provided by Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund. The Margaux will join the already-completed Kaiser-Permanente office building and The Stella, a 382-unit apartment building.
Between The Margaux and the Metro Building at New Carrollton stands Dawn and Dusk Resurgent, an artwork created by local artist Heidi Lipmann and composed of elements salvaged from a large glass and stone mosaic the artist created in 1998 for the New Carrollton station former parking garage. This project was commissioned by Metro’s Art in Transit Program in partnership with the Prince George’s County Arts and Humanities Council. Additional funding was provided through a Conservation Implementation Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
“Metro has such an important presence in Maryland and throughout the National Capital Region. It’s why Team Maryland has worked so hard with our regional partners to deliver necessary federal resources,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “As we look toward the future, we welcome Metro’s presence in New Carrollton, a vital multi-modal hub for our passengers and their communities, and we recognize the efforts underway at Metro to meet our evolving transit needs and to establish a culture of safety throughout its organization. We look forward to this important work continuing here in Maryland.”
“Metro is excited to welcome our employees to this state-of-the-art building that serves as an anchor for all of the amazing economic development happening at New Carrollton,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “This building represents Metro stepping further into a sustainable future, and we thank all of the leaders here today for their partnership in bringing new life to this uniquely transit-accessible corner of Prince George’s County.”
“I am so excited to be with WMATA for today’s important step forward to creating a more connected state,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This new facility and the jobs it provides are going to be a crucial part of our state’s infrastructure and the New Carrollton community. We are dedicated to making transportation in Maryland more affordable and accessible, and this facility is a perfect example of how we are going to accomplish that.”
“As the New Carrollton station grows and expands – including with the construction of the new train hall and upgraded multi-modal access – it’s clear big things are in store for the surrounding community. Today’s office opening is another example of the continued investments we’re bringing to Prince George’s and of how quality public transit is a foundation for economic growth,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.
“We are proud to be the new home of Metro in Maryland, a sign of our growing partnership on transit-oriented development at Metro stations across the County,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “With the new Metro headquarters, new affordable housing, a new train hall on the way, and more, New Carrollton is quickly becoming a vibrant downtown area and the premier transit hub on the eastern seaboard. We look forward to continued partnership with Metro as we grow our local economy in a smart way and bring new amenities for Prince Georgians.”
Prince George’s County Councilmember Eric Olson said, “We welcome Metro’s new Maryland Headquarters, and its 1,200 employees, to New Carrollton! With this move, Metro joins a growing transit-oriented community of jobs and residences at this dynamic location.”
“Metro’s beautiful new facility, and its employees, will serve as an anchor for the thriving transit-oriented development around the New Carrollton Metro Station,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “It’s a prime example of how Maryland’s multi-modal transportation system can support growth, connect our communities and create opportunity for all Marylanders.”
“Today marks another major milestone in Metro’s Office Consolidation strategy approved by the Board in 2018, saving the transit agency over $100 million over the coming two decades,” said Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “These new, transit-accessible and environmentally friendly buildings are already benefitting our workforce, making Metro an even more attractive place to work. The new buildings also provide better transparency and access for the public with state-of-the -art technology that facilitates hybrid Board and other public meetings.”
