Overview
The master plan will provide a comprehensive, actionable roadmap to guide Gateway’s long-term transformation as a new “innovation district” – a regional destination for new research and ideas within an area that is dynamic, mixed-use, connected, and creative. The plan will address multiple elements, in addition to innovation: economic development, housing, development phasing, environment and sustainability, urban design and architecture, and land use and public facilities.
To develop the master plan, the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) and its consultant team will engage property owners, business owners, and the broader community in a discussion about Gateway’s future. The planning process is anticipated to begin in early 2024 and conclude by spring 2025.
This webpage will continue to be updated. Please continue to check back for updates as the master plan process progresses.
For more information, contact DPZ Director Lynda Eisenberg, AICP, at gateway@howardcountymd.gov.
What's New
- Weigh in on Gateway's Future on January 21 or January 22!
In September, our team gathered public feedback on three master plan options for the redevelopment of Gateway. Now we're ready to share a preferred master plan! Hear a presentation and share your thoughts on the concepts presented. You'll learn how Gateway could be transformed into a new "innovation district" - a regional destination for new research and ideas within an area that is dynamic, mixed-use, connected, and creative.
Participants have two identical meetings to choose from: an in-person meeting or a virtual meeting. The same content will be presented at both sessions, so you can select the format that works best for you.
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Join us in-person on Tuesday, January 21 at the Recreation and Parks Headquarters located at 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Registration is preferred and can be found here.
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Those wishing to attend virtually can do so on Wednesday, January 22 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Registration for the virtual meeting is required and can be found here.
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Background
The Gateway area encompasses roughly 1,000 acres of business and industrial uses. Shortly after Columbia was founded, General Electric (GE) constructed an appliance manufacturing facility on a large tract of land the company had purchased from James Rouse. Appliance Park East operated for two decades until its closure in 1990. Rouse then re-purchased the land and began redeveloping the area into a suburban office park called Columbia Gateway. Now, several decades later, redevelopment is again envisioned and will be further explored through the master plan effort.
A crucial employment center, this office and industrial park is primed to see new development that can bring it to life 24/7. The County’s latest general plan, HoCo By Design, envisions Gateway transforming into a major hub for employment, entertainment, and innovation, offering new housing and job opportunities, open space, and multi-modal transportation options. Gateway is generally bound by Interstate 95, Maryland Route 175, Snowden River Parkway, and the CSX rail corridor. Its location, size, and current configuration contribute to the site’s significant potential.
Additional Info
Public Events
January 2024: Public Kickoff
January 25 Open House - DPZ and its consultant team presented information about the master plan process and participants had the opportunity to provide feedback on Gateway's future as an innovation district. Click here to watch the presentation from the event or click here to view the presentation slides.
The Gateway Master Plan's Engagement Summary provides a snapshot of the feedback received at the Gateway Open House. Click here to read the Engagement Summary.
September 2024: Master Plan Options Public Meeting
On September 18, DPZ and our consultant team presented several master plan options for the redevelopment of Gateway. The options are illustrative concepts that depict different design and land use possibilities over the next 10-30 years. Missed the meeting? You can still view the meeting presentation, watch the recording and/or check out the site option concept boards. You can also review the feedback we received in our updated Engagement Summary.
January 2025: Master Plan Refinement
On January 21st and 22nd, DPZ and our consultant team will present the preferred master plan for the redevelopment of Gateway. This proposal builds upon the invaluable community feedback gathered during the public meeting in September 2024. The updated plan envisions a bold transformation of Gateway into a vibrant "innovation district" - a hub for new research and ideas within an area that is dynamic, mixed-use, connected, and creative.
DPZ welcomes your feedback on the preferred plan presentation. Please submit your comments through this form - available through midnight on Sunday, February 2nd.
Spring 2025: Plan Adoption Process
Advisory Committee
An Advisory Committee for the Gateway Master Plan was appointed by the County Executive via EO-2024-04. Committee members represent key community stakeholders and subject matter experts, including Gateway property and business owners, representatives of Columbia Association, and other community members with an expertise in economic development, innovation, housing, sustainability, and critical planning areas. The Committee will take a deeper dive into the planning process, acting as a sounding board for ideas and providing feedback on data and analysis.
Click here for the updated list of committee meetings, materials, and recordings.
The Consultant Team
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. HOK designs buildings and spaces that respond to the needs of people and the environment. HOK’s designs are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination, and focused on a solitary goal: to deliver solutions that inspire clients and communities. HOK has been involved in the planning of innovation districts for decades, and will lead this effort with support from the following subconsultants.
Stiletto is a market research and strategic planning firm that consistently generates meaningful, lasting impacts in communities and organizations. Working at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, Stiletto develops intentional, results-driven, outcomes-based, and inclusive strategies that have accelerated impact for more than 200 clients in North America.
Partners for Economic Solutions is a full-service urban economics consulting firm dedicated to fostering sustainable economic vitality and growth in America’s neighborhoods, cities, and regions. Working extensively with cities, economic development and redevelopment agencies, public/private partnerships, universities, housing authorities, and non-profits, PES brings real estate and economics expertise to bear on a wide range of urban development and public policy issues.
Additional Consultants: The County will also be engaging firms that provide transportation, water and sewer, and infrastructure financing modeling and analysis services to complement the team.
Stay Informed Through the Process
Join our email list to receive updates on the Gateway Master Plan effort.
