ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has unveiled a transformative new vision in Howard County with the release of the Gateway Preferred Master Plan. The evening’s public presentation, conducted by the County’s Department of Planning & Zoning (DPZ), introduced a roadmap for the future that builds on the office park’s existing strengths and Columbia’s history for fostering connectivity.
The Master Plan introduces Gateway as a forward-thinking Innovation District – an innovative ecosystem designed to fuel sustainable job creation, foster long-term economic growth, and attract the brightest minds in research, entrepreneurship, and technology. The Gateway of tomorrow prioritizes a phased mixed-use redevelopment strategy, with a focus on increasing density, enhancing connectivity, and creating spaces that inspire collaboration.
“Gateway is uniquely positioned to be the region’s nerve center for cutting-edge research, pioneering ideas, and entrepreneurial ventures for a global market,” said Ball. “Gateway – as a premier Innovation District – aims to attract the best and brightest minds from a variety of industries. We’re going beyond the constraints of a traditional business park – we’re building a workplace for the future.”
Spanning approximately 1,000 acres, Gateway’s central location and existing infrastructure present a unique opportunity for future growth. As an Innovation District, the Gateway of the future reimagines the traditional business park model moving beyond its roots in office buildings and surface parking lots to create a dynamic, mixed-use environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and creative thinking. By integrating a combination of shared facilities, like an “Innovation Hub,” flexible office spaces, residential areas, and strategic employment opportunities commercial, the new district will serve as a hub for diverse industries and a catalyst for bold new ideas.
An Innovation Hub is a dynamic space dedicated to cultivating partnerships and networks among researchers, businesses, entrepreneurs and creators. These vibrant hubs combine cutting-edge research labs, coworking spaces and may even have recreational amenities to nurture an environment for innovation and growth. Typically anchored by an educational institution and situated in a vibrant area, they serve as magnets for new talent and catalysts for innovation. In Gateway, the Innovation Hub has the exciting potential to amplify the work of the Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) and help expand its network and partnerships around the nation and internationally. The Preferred Plan envisions the Innovation Hub strategically located in close proximity to the MIC and along the Woonerf, the Plan’s key public focal point.
As one of the most exciting features of the redevelopment, the integration of the Woonerf, a pedestrian-priority zone designed to bring people together in shared spaces, makes the district not just a place to work, but a place to connect, interact, and innovate. A key public amenity designed to support mixed-use redevelopment and business attraction, the Woonerf will serve as a connecting spine to the Innovation District. Along it lies the potential for a blend of employment, and residential areas creating a dynamic urban environment where the community can live, work, and play in close proximity.
Incorporating a range of building types, from flexible workspaces to larger office developments, the envisioned Innovation District attracts businesses of all sizes in cutting-edge industries and enhances visibility. Diverse industries and entrepreneurial ventures cultivate a supportive ecosystem of the district and help drive long-term, sustainable job creation and economic vitality. Gateway is fortunate to have many tech-driven enterprises within it, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defense/government contracting, software development and scientific research, which will help position the Gateway Innovation District as a leader in the region.
“As Gateway evolves, the plan will continue to focus on fostering a sustainable, innovation-driven community,” shared Lynda Eisenberg, Director of Planning & Zoning. “The introduction of varied building heights and increased density will not only optimize land use but also enhance the district’s connectivity, making it easier for businesses and individuals to collaborate across industries.”
Gateway also presents the opportunity to demonstrate climate-resilient design, in line with Howard County’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. The proposed transportation network prioritizes, walking and cycling, seamlessly connecting to existing paths and trails beyond Gateway, which will provide employees and residents new ways to travel. This includes utilizing the CSX rail line – a 3.1-mile abandoned railroad spur as a unique connection to and from the Innovation District.
Howard County builds upon becoming the first county in the U.S. to earn LEED Platinum, the highest designation for this certification category, for the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Cities and Communities Program in 2022. Being environmental leaders may also manifest through supportive building designs that prioritize climate-responsiveness, including high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, grid-interactive buildings, and solar photovoltaic arrays. Recognizing the rapid evolution of technology, the plan ensures that Gateway remains adaptable and incorporates the latest in sustainability advances.
Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, emphasized the transformative potential of the Gateway plan: “The Gateway Innovation District represents an incredible opportunity for Howard County to drive sustainable economic growth. By transforming this space into a hub for cutting-edge industries and fostering collaboration among businesses, researchers, and entrepreneurs, we are creating a foundation for job creation, increased investment, and long-term prosperity for our community. This plan is more than a vision—it’s a catalyst for economic innovation that will solidify Howard County’s position as a leader in the region.”
At the heart of Gateway is a bold ambition to build an environment where visionary entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies can thrive. By leveraging its unique location, diverse industries, and cutting-edge design, Gateway is poised to become the new center of innovation in the region – the place that people come together, share ideas, and drive the future forward.
Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation.
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