LEO A DALY selected for The Villages at Bowie State MARC Transit-Oriented Development
93-acre mixed-use community will connect Bowie State University, transit, nature, and wellness in a new model for equitable growth
LEO A DALY is part of a team selected to advance The Villages at Bowie State MARC, a transformative mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will create a vibrant new community next to the Bowie State University MARC Station in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Development partners include Gragg Cardona Souadi, Wellness Real Estate Innovations, Impact Capital Partners, and the Lisa A. Bolden Company.
Spanning approximately 93 acres and nestled into a forest, the development will reimagine underutilized land around one of the region’s most important transit assets, creating a pedestrian-focused destination that blends housing, retail, wellness, recreation, education and community spaces within a preserved natural setting.
The project is envisioned as a series of interconnected villages woven into the existing forested landscape, balancing development with environmental stewardship. Designed to encourage healthy living and social connection, the community will offer a wellness-focused approach to transit-oriented development, integrating parks, trails, outdoor gathering spaces, and walkable neighborhoods with direct access to regional rail service.
The project team was announced at a July 21 press conference.
“The site offers a remarkable opportunity to build within a natural ecosystem,” said Design Director Irena Savakova. “By preserving and celebrating the existing woodland character, we are creating an environment where people can experience the benefits of nature as part of their daily routine, transforming wellness from an amenity into a way of life in this once-in-a-lifetime development.”
A signature feature of the master plan is the Dynamic Spine, a linear park-like commons that serves as the organizing element of the development. Spanning the rail corridor and linking the university campus to new mixed-use districts, the Dynamic Spine will provide a network of indoor and outdoor experiences, flexible programming spaces, and nature-focused amenities designed to bring students, residents, visitors, and community members together. Rather than treating the forest as land to be cleared and rebuilt, the development embraces the existing ecosystem as a primary organizing element of the plan.
The project will include a diverse mix of residential options, retail destinations, community-serving amenities, and public spaces organized into four distinct districts: the Innovation District, University Square District, Neighborhood District, and Parks District. Together, these districts will leverage the strengths of Bowie State University and the MARC station to establish a vibrant destination centered on learning, entrepreneurship, culture, and community life.
The development's first phase is planned to deliver a balanced blend of residential units across multiple housing types, including student housing, multifamily residences, and senior living options, while activating the site with complementary office, retail and community-focused uses.
Equally important to the vision is a commitment to community engagement. The planning process will involve ongoing collaboration with Bowie State University, Prince George’s County, state agencies, transit partners, and local residents to ensure the development reflects community aspirations while fostering long-term economic and social benefits.
As the project advances, LEO A DALY will help shape a destination that demonstrates how transit-oriented development can support wellness, sustainability, and inclusive growth while preserving and celebrating the natural character of the site.
The Villages at Bowie State MARC will be implemented in multiple phases over the next two decades, creating a lasting framework for growth, innovation, community connectivity and wealth creation in Prince George’s County.
