With the strong support of Councilmember Adam Van Grack, the State of Maryland has designated the Rockville Metro Station area as a Transit-Oriented Development site, marking an important step forward for Rockville’s economic future, housing opportunities, and long-term planning around one of the city’s most important transportation hubs.

Councilmember Van Grack championed Rockville’s pursuit of the designation because he believes the Rockville Metro area has enormous potential to become a stronger center for jobs, housing, restaurants, shops, public spaces, and economic activity.

“This is a major opportunity for Rockville,” Councilmember Van Grack said. “The Rockville Metro area should be one of the strongest economic development engines in our city. With smart planning, we can bring more housing, more jobs, more restaurants, more shops, and more public amenities to a location that is already connected to transit and surrounded by enormous potential.”

The designation recognizes the Rockville Metro area as a strategic location for compact, walkable, mixed-use development centered around transit access. The area includes Metrorail’s Red Line, MARC’s Brunswick Line, Amtrak service, local bus routes, Rockville Town Center, nearby neighborhoods, employers, restaurants, civic amenities, and key redevelopment opportunities.

For Councilmember Van Grack, the designation reflects the kind of forward-looking economic development Rockville needs, while also providing tax benefits for local businesses. He has consistently emphasized that the city must grow its commercial tax base, support local businesses, attract investment, expand housing options, and strengthen key areas of the city without placing additional pressure on homeowners.

“If we want to keep Rockville affordable and avoid unnecessary tax increases, we need to grow our economy,” Van Grack said. “That means supporting local businesses, attracting employers, encouraging thoughtful redevelopment, and making sure we take full advantage of areas like Rockville Metro, where growth makes sense.”

Councilmember Van Grack’s support for the TOD designation is part of his broader focus on responsible economic development. Since joining the Council, he has supported continued city investment in economic development, efforts to strengthen the city’s life sciences and business sectors, improvements that make Rockville more attractive to employers and entrepreneurs, and policies that encourage housing and commercial growth near transit.

In June 2025, during the Maryland Municipal League Conference, Councilmember Van Grack met with Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development Jake Day to discuss the importance of state support for Rockville’s transit-oriented growth and redevelopment opportunities. Van Grack has continued to stress that Rockville should be proactive in competing for state resources, infrastructure support, housing investment, and economic development opportunities.

“This is exactly the kind of partnership Rockville needs,” Van Grack said. “We should be working with the state, regional partners, local businesses, residents, and property owners to unlock the full potential of Rockville Metro. This designation gives us another tool to do that.”

The TOD designation makes the Rockville Metro Station area eligible for certain state support, including access to transit-oriented development funding and competitive advantages tied to housing and state procurement programs. It also supports coordinated planning and infrastructure investment around walkable, transit-connected development.

Councilmember Van Grack emphasized that the designation does not approve any specific project or change existing zoning. Future development proposals will still go through Rockville’s normal planning, public input, and approval processes.

“This designation is not a blank check,” Van Grack said. “It is a tool. It gives Rockville a stronger platform to plan well, attract investment, pursue state support, and make sure future development benefits our residents. The goal is responsible growth that strengthens our city.”

For Van Grack, the designation is about making Rockville stronger for the long term. He believes the Rockville Metro area can help the city expand opportunity, support affordability, strengthen Town Center, create jobs, generate economic activity, and improve the city’s financial foundation.

“Rockville’s future depends on making smart decisions today,” Van Grack said. “The Rockville Metro area can help us expand opportunity, support affordability, create jobs, support local businesses, and strengthen city services without simply asking homeowners to pay more. I was proud to champion this designation, and I look forward to continuing the work to move Rockville forward.”