“From Vision to Reality” – WMATA Selects Hines as Master Developer for North Bethesda Metro Station Mixed-Use Development

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Governor Wes Moore Joins Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke to Begin Innovative Mixed-Use Development to be Anchored by the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing

Governor Wes Moore joined Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke, and University of Maryland leadership today to announce the selection of Hines as the master developer for the North Bethesda Metro Station site—a 13.9-acre North Bethesda joint development adjacent to the rail station. This development is the future home of the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) and a transformative hub for life sciences and artificial intelligence innovation. This announcement marks a major milestone in a long-term vision to create a world-class, transit-oriented development that connects Maryland’s economic strengths in biotech, computing and federal research with dynamic new housing, jobs and public spaces.

“More than five years ago, I approached University of Maryland about bringing graduate level research using AI to drive drug discovery and medical research to Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Executive Elrich. “At the same time, I approached WMATA about developing the North Bethesda metro site as a life sciences center to be anchored by the Institute for Health Computing. It was important to be located at a metro station on the 355 corridor, close to NIH and other critical life science assets. We are creating an environment rich in collision spaces where scientists can meet, gather, share their ideas and advance their work. We are designing something that will attract the kinds of businesses that will drive high-value growth in our County and strengthen our profile nationally in the life sciences field. I want to thank WMATA and the University of Maryland for seriously examining my ideas and making a decision to move forward. I also want to thank the Governor and the many elected officials who have also supported this effort. We are glad to see Hines, with a reputation for successful life science development, as the development company selected to carry this out.”

“Together, we are transforming North Bethesda into a hub for innovation, opportunity and growth,” said Gov. Moore. “Our administration is confident that this redevelopment project will ensure that the Red Line won’t just help commuters get from North Bethesda to where they want to go, but it will help bring people from all over the capital region to this community. Today, we celebrate the beautiful future for this community, one where Maryland families can get from where they live to where opportunity lies; where the State of Maryland is a national leader in science, technology, engineering, and math; and a future where our state is the model for creating new jobs, building more housing, and leaving no one behind.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about what this development is going to mean for Montgomery County, Maryland and Metro,” said Metro’s Clarke. “North Bethesda will be a model for life-sciences-anchored transit-oriented development around the world, creating new transit users and connecting people to economic opportunities. This development project wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding support of our local and federal partners, to whom we are extremely grateful.”

At the heart of the project is the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC), which is already employing over 100 staff and researchers working on real-time, life-saving innovations in a nearby temporary space. The Institute exemplifies how AI and health sciences can intersect to transform care, accelerate discovery and fuel economic growth. Envisioned as the “next-generation Kendall Square”, the new district will integrate cutting-edge research, commercial space and new housing options in a walkable, vibrant neighborhood built around the Metro Red Line. The site sits between two global life sciences anchors—NIH and the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center—and is strategically positioned to retain and attract federal talent and private investment.

“The 35-member Montgomery County Delegation to the General Assembly has worked in partnership with the Executive Branch to secure necessary funding for the Institute of Health Computing’s operations, site preparation, and the second Metro entrance to help bring the North Bethesda area and this joint development project forward to the next step,” said Del. Marc Korman, chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee.

“We are excited about the plan announced today as it builds on the strong foundation we have been creating in North Bethesda to develop a first in the nation hub for biotech with public transit, housing, the arts, and more all within a few minutes of each other,” said Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart. “People will come from all over to do scientific research and stay to call Montgomery County home.”

The selection of Hines comes after a competitive process led by WMATA, in partnership with Montgomery County and the University System of Maryland. The development will span up to 60 acres, expanding well beyond the original 14-acre Metro parcel, and is expected to reshape the Pike District. Last summer, Metro and Montgomery County officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding that affirmed infrastructure funding and economic development incentives for North Bethesda, including over $36.6 million for on-site infrastructure, a new north entrance to the Metro station and a commitment from the University of Maryland to establish the Institute of Health Computing as an anchor for the development.

“We are excited to participate in the conception of this vibrant mixed-use, transit-oriented campus that will create a platform for the next generation of innovation in the life science space, in addition to developing the new Metro station entrance,” said Andrew McGeorge, senior managing director at Hines. “We look forward to bringing our extensive placemaking experience to the North Bethesda community and working with Metro, Montgomery County and the State of Maryland on this project.”

Six development teams responded to Metro’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Hines was competitively selected based on their proven capacity to execute complex projects, including significant experience with and commitment to life sciences integrated with mixed-use development. The future development is envisioned to include delivery of a new Metro entrance on the north side of the station, a signature building along Rockville Pike, the future home of the University of Maryland’s Institute for Health Computing and incubator space, as well as a mix of life science, residential and retail uses.

The effort is backed by significant federal, state, and county investments, made possible through coordinated efforts across agencies and elected offices. Among the key partners and supporters:

• WMATA
• Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Transportation
• Del. Marc Korman, Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee and the Montgomery County State Delegation
• Council President Kate Stewart and the Montgomery County Council
• University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS)
• Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Jamie Raskin, who helped secure federal funds
• Montgomery County’s Departments of Transportation and General Services

This project builds upon the White Flint Sector Plan and complements other recent County investments, including the launch of Montgomery County’s first AI-focused business incubator. Officials emphasized the importance of public engagement as development moves forward. Hines will now begin the formal process of public consultation and master planning.

“This partnership—and this site—has all the ingredients to become a national model for how to grow smart, sustainably and inclusively,” said County Executive Elrich. “And we’re doing it in the right way: anchored by research, connected to transit and shaped with the public.”

Read more about this project at: https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-selects-developer-for-North-Bethesda.cfm

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Release ID: 25-231
Media Contact: Scott Peterson 240-255-8462
Categories: Business , Executive Office , Transportation

For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=47134