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BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, May 29, 2025) – Sites in Greenleigh, Avalon Bay and Cross Keys are emerging as the ‘hot spots’ for residential development in the Baltimore region, according to the latest Residential Building Permit Activity Hot Spot Report from Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC). In 2024, 6,448 residential units were permitted in the Baltimore Region, a 12 percent decrease from 2023. BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly says that the decline in building permits is an issue of concern for regional leaders. "The best way to combat rising housing prices is to provide more options for families at all income levels,” Kelly said. “At the same time, residents are concerned about the existing traffic and crowding in their communities. “From a regional perspective, the challenge is to incentivize development in places with capacity for growth. Right now, much of this capacity is in the urban core, which could be a real opportunity for Baltimore City." BMC will work with the region’s local governments over the coming year to explore the interactions between new and existing homes, the region’s transportation network, economic opportunity, and public sentiment. The data in BMC’s Residential Building Permit Activity Hot Spot Report accompanies the 2024 Metropolitan Building Activity Report and provides essential insight for our community. The Metropolitan Building Activity Report details trends in total single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use permitting and includes data on all residential and non-residential construction. Together, these reports provide insight into trends in residential development. In 2024, Baltimore County received the most residential unit permits, with 1,511 units permitted. Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City followed with 1,305 and 1,273 units permitted, respectively. The region’s top ten ‘Housing Hot Spots’ significant for residential developments in 2024 were: 1. Greenleigh (Chase/Bowleys Quarters, Baltimore County) with 456 multi-family, single-family attached, and single-family detached units 2. Avalon Bay (Canton, Baltimore City) with 418 multi-family units 3. Cross Keys (Mount Washington, Baltimore City) with 331 multi-family units 4. Aberdeen Fields/Fieldside (Aberdeen/Havre De Grace, Harford County) with 204 multi-family units 5. Watershed (Maryland City, Anne Arundel County) with 183 single-family attached units 6. Brightview Hunt Valley Town Centre (Cockeysville/Timonium, Baltimore County) with 178 multi-family units 7. Aberdeen Overlook (Aberdeen/Havre De Grace, Harford County) with 158 single-family attached and detached units 8. Perkins Homes (Phase 4) (East Baltimore, Baltimore City) with 156 multi-family units 9. Four Seasons Kent Island (Kent Island, Queen Anne’s County) with 150 single-family detached and multi-family units -and- Blue Oaks (Odenton, Anne Arundel County) with 150 multi-family units Of the total permits issued in 2024, 41.2 percent of total residential permits were for multi-family and mixed-use developments, while 33.9 percent were for attached single-family homes, and 24.9 percent were for detached single-family homes. In contrast, in 2023, 50.1 percent of total residential permits were for multi-family or mixed-use developments, becoming the majority of permits issued for the first time, while 27.3 percent were for attached single-family homes and 22.6 percent were for detached single-family homes. BMC compiles and maintains the region’s building permit information in a standardized database, providing a continual record of plans for new and renovated residential and non-residential projects from all permits with an estimated construction value of $10,000 or more. This helps local and state agencies prepare for anticipated trends as communities grow over time. ### Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development. BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. BMC offers interpretation services, including language translation services and signage for the hearing impaired, at public meetings upon request with seven days advance notice. BMC will not exclude persons based on age, religion, or disability. For assistance, contact the Public Involvement Coordinator, comments@baltometro.org, or call 410-732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Usarios de Relay MD marquen 7-1-1. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500. |
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BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, May 16, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) has released the draft for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2026-2029. A comment period on the draft closes June 15. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a short-range document that includes proposals for bicycle, pedestrian, transit, bridge, highway and freight projects with specific funding over the course of four years. This year’s iteration of the TIP includes 172 projects for the Baltimore region, with an estimated budget of $6.2 billion. Key projects for the program include the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Odenton MARC Transit Oriented Development in Anne Arundel County, two segments of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network in Baltimore City, the Aberdeen Transit Oriented Development Station Square project in Harford County, and the Maryland Transit Administration’s Red Line project across the Baltimore region. The 2026-2029 TIP includes more than $3.6 billion for highway preservation and expansion, $1.59 billion for transit and commuter rail preservation and expansion, $361 million for the Port and $394 million for emissions reductions, safety improvements and other spending. Support from US DOT accounts for about $3.2 billion of this funding, with state and local agencies providing $1.08 billion and toll revenues covering $1.89 billion. “Addressing the transportation needs of the Baltimore region, ensuring safer transit across our region, and developing a wider array of transportation opportunities are some of our priorities in this year’s TIP,” said Todd Lang, Director of Transportation Planning at Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the agency that staffs and supports the BRTB. “These projects will help move our region’s transportation network forward.” The draft TIP is accompanied by an Air Quality Conformity Determination, which assesses that the projects in the TIP will not delay the Baltimore region’s progress toward meeting national air quality standards. You can learn more about the draft 2026-2029 TIP and associated Air Quality Conformity Determination via yourregionyourvoice.org/BRTB-TIP. The BRTB is asking members of the public to complete a brief survey on the draft TIP, and welcomes open-ended comments on the projects or planning process.
Ways to comment include:
The BRTB will vote on the TIP and Air Quality Determination documents on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. ### Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development. BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. BMC offers interpretation services, including language translation services and signage for the hearing impaired, at public meetings upon request with seven days advance notice. BMC will not exclude persons based on age, religion, or disability. For assistance, contact the Public Involvement Coordinator, comments@baltometro.org, or call 410-732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Usarios de Relay MD marquen 7-1-1. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500. |
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BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, April 25, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) voted to adopt Resolutions #25-25 through #25-28 during its monthly committee meeting on Friday, April 25. The resolutions ask the board to consider a list of projects and goals for Fiscal year 2026, including the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and its associated budget. The UPWP is a document that identifies the transportation tasks and studies to be performed by Baltimore Metropolitan Council staff or one of the local jurisdiction members. The FY 2026-2027 UPWP requested $10.8 million for a range of studies, plans and projects. The other resolutions address initiatives for short-term projects, including:
### Baltimore Metropolitan Council works with the region’s elected executives and state local partners to identify mutual interests and develop collaborative strategies, plans and programs that help improve economic vitality and quality of life for all. BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500. |
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BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, April 25, 2025) – Economic concerns are growing in the Baltimore region, with more residents worried about energy prices and the prospects of their household incomes, according to a new Pulse survey released today by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. ### |
Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. BMC offers interpretation services, including language translation services and signage for the hearing impaired, at public meetings upon request with seven days advance notice. BMC will not exclude persons based on age, religion, or disability. For assistance, contact the Public Involvement Coordinator, comments@baltometro.org, or call 410-732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Usarios de Relay MD marquen 7-1-1. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, April 1, 2025) – Registration is now open for Central Maryland's 28th annual Bike to Work Week, taking place from May 12 to 18, 2025. Riders of all levels can register at BikeToWorkMD.com for free to claim free t-shirts and other prizes.
Bike to Work Central Maryland is a program operated by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council that promotes the health benefits of biking, raises bike safety awareness, advocates for biking as a viable transportation option, and builds community relations among cyclists around the Baltimore region. Every cyclist, whether for work or recreation, is encouraged to participate.
Supported by sponsors and local partners, this year’s program contains events including group rides, bike social happy hours and commuter ‘Pit Stops’ leading up to National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16. Pit Stops will feature refreshments, gear and swag, safety and maintenance checks for beginners, experts and everyone in between.
Free t-shirts will be available to registered participants at bike shops and other pick-up locations throughout the region (supply limited). To register, learn more and find local events and pick-up spots, visit BikeToWorkMD.com.
Follow @Bike2WorkMD on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates. Share your own biking clips and tell your family, friends and co-workers. Show your support by claiming and wearing your free t-shirts as you ride out together!
Bike to Work Central Maryland is supported by the generous sponsorship of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, Downtown Columbia Partnership, Clean Air Partners, Anne Arundel County Commuter Crew, Go Howard, GoSmart Maryland, Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland, Harford County Public Library, the Maryland Department of Transportation, BikeHoCo, Lime, Columbia Association and Spin.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) provides a regional forum for our members and state and local partners to identify mutual interests and collaborate on strategies, plans and programs that help improve economic vitality and quality of life for all.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, March 11, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) opened a public comment period on its preliminary plans for an approximately 1.7-mile trail in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore City.
The trail will connect the existing Middle Branch Trail to the planned Patapsco Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. This will connect the neighborhood to the Patapsco Light Rail Station, offering new recreational biking and walking paths in the area that are comfortable and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
The trail will become a part of the Patapsco Regional Greenway (PRG), a planned 40-mile, shared-use trail running through the Patapsco Valley from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Sykesville in Carroll County. Nearly 17 miles have been constructed to date, with 21 additional miles under design.
Members of the public are invited to provide feedback on the early concept plans during this comment period. Future comment periods later this year will present proposed routes and the preferred alignment before design and construction commence.
The project team will be hosting a community open house on Monday, March 24 at the Cherry Hill Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library (606 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225) between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Materials from the meeting will be available online at publicinput.com/CherryHillPRG.
Initial comments on the trail segment are welcome from Tuesday, March 11 through Monday, April 14, 2025. Ways to comment include:
- Online via a short survey at publicinput.com/CherryHillPRG
- Sending an email to CherryHillPRG@publicinput.com
- Texting keyword ‘CherryHill’ to 855-925-2801
- Leaving a voicemail toll-free via 855-925-2801x11148
- Finding us on Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn (comments on social media posts are reviewed, but are not included in the official public record)
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, March 5, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) has launched Getting There: Your Transportation Story, a survey to assess the individual travel experiences of residents in the Baltimore region.
The survey aims to gather information on how participants interact with our region’s transportation system, whether it is by biking, walking, driving, or riding public transit. The data provided by participant input will help the BRTB develop future transportation plans for safer, more reliable, and more accessible transportation for Baltimore region residents.
Members of the public can complete the survey and enter for a chance to win one of ten $100 gift cards by Friday, April 4 at publicinput.com/GettingThere. Following the survey, the BRTB will conduct four paid focus groups to further explore survey topics.
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, February 10, 2025) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) Board of Directors named Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman as the 2025 Chair at a meeting on Friday, January 17. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott will serve as Vice Chair, a role Pittman held in 2024.
“I’m honored to serve as the new chair of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council at a time when regional collaboration is more important than ever”, said County Executive Pittman. “I look forward to partnering with my colleagues to ensure that BMC continues to be a driving force for smart, equitable growth.”
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball moved to nominate County Executive Pittman to serve as chair, seconded by Carroll County Commissioner Ed Rothstein. The vote was unanimous. County Executive Pittman thanked BMC Staff for their hard work and welcomed Baltimore County Executive Katherine Klausmeier to the BMC Board of Directors.
County Executive Pittman was elected Anne Arundel County Executive in 2018, and re-elected in 2022. Raised on a farm in Anne Arundel County, he took over the farm’s hay production and became a nationally recognized horse trainer. He has more than three decades of experience managing nonprofits and small businesses and has always been a dedicated community organizer, centering compassion in his work with people and animals.
As County Executive, Pittman has pledged to make Anne Arundel County “The Best Place - For All,” by “Putting Communities First.” His strategy is to engage communities from every sector and to practice transparency and data-driven policymaking.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott is the 52nd Mayor of Baltimore City. He has been serving as mayor since December 8, 2020. Before becoming mayor, Scott was the President of the Baltimore City Council from May 2019 to December 2020. He was first elected to the City Council in 2011 at the age of 27, making him one of the youngest people ever elected to the Baltimore City Council.
Scott is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and a graduate of Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School and St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Newly appointed Baltimore County Executive Katherine Klausmeier has joined the BMC Board. She was sworn in as Baltimore County’s 15th—and first female—County Executive on January 7, 2025. Before her appointment as Baltimore County Executive, Klausmeier has served as a member of the Maryland State Senate since 2003, representing District 8. In addition to her more than 20 years of experience in the State Senate, she also represented District 8 as a member of the House of Delegates from 1995-2003.
As the elections concluded, BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly thanked Commissioner Moran for a great year as Chair and extended a warm welcome to County Executive Klausmeier.
"I am looking forward to working closely with County Executive Pittman in 2025. BMC has always been lucky to have great local leadership, and this year will be no exception,” said Mike Kelly.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes elected executives from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Queen Anne’s Counties, as well as representatives of the state legislature and private sector. It will next meet again on Friday, April 25, 2025.
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, February 5, 2025) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is drafting a transportation planning budget for the upcoming two years (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027), proposing $10.8 million for a range of studies, plans and projects.
Staffed and supported by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), the BRTB is the region’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization. Most of the anticipated funding for the upcoming budget, the Unified Planning Work Program, comes from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, with additional contributions from the Maryland Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions.
“This new work program and budget prioritizes the critical needs of our region’s transportation network,” said Todd Lang, BMC’s Director of Transportation. “This includes efforts to address the unacceptable fatalities and injuries we see on our transportation system and methods to better facilitate safe and efficient movement for all transportation users.”
The BRTB collaborated with planners in local jurisdictions and community members to develop the proposed budget based on ongoing work, regional priorities and feedback from previous public outreach. Funding items in the proposed budget include:
- Continuing the Transportation and Land Use Connection Grant Program, which quickly unlocks resources to help local jurisdictions improve multi-modal facilities, access to transit, transit oriented development, or climate change adaptation strategies;
- Planning for the Henryton Road Bridge, advancing another piece of the Patapsco Regional Greenway;
- Drafting the region’s next short-range transportation program (with a five-year horizon) and laying the groundwork for the next long-range plan (with a twenty-year horizon);
- Funding for local jurisdictions to update local bicycle plans based on the Bikeable Baltimore Region project;
- Assisting local jurisdictions in preparing applications for the newly updated MDOT prioritization process.
These are a few of the items included in the draft budget. If the BRTB and federal regulators approve the transportation work program and budget, BMC’s planning staff will start this work on July 1, 2025. Proposed new tasks are described in detail in the draft document.
Members of the public can comment on the draft transportation work program and budget by Sunday, March 9. After collaborating with BRTB members to review all comments and respond to questions, the BRTB will consider approval of the transportation planning budget on Friday, April 25.
“We often ask for feedback from community members on specific plans and projects,” Lang said. “This is a chance for the public to weigh in on our overall budget and the work we’d like to achieve in the next year.”
Ways to comment include:
- Online via a short survey at publicinput.com/brtbbudget (English version) and publicinput.com/presupuesto26 (Spanish version)
- Sending an email to FY26BRTBbudget@publicinput.com
- Texting keyword ‘FY26BRTBbudget’ to 855-925-2801
- Leaving a voicemail toll-free via 855-925-2801x11078
- Finding us on Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn (comments on social media posts are reviewed, but are not included in the official public record)
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
Comunicado de prensa en blanco
BALTIMORE, MD (Día de la semana, Mes DD, AAAA) – Párrafo principal aquí.
Párrafo del cuerpo aquí.
Más párrafos de cuerpo. A veces, copiar los gráficos uno por uno ayuda a mantener la coherencia del formato. Observe las fuentes, el espaciado entre líneas y gráficos, etc.
Siempre incluimos la misma nota debajo de cada lanzamiento. Puede ser necesario ajustar la redacción en función del Plan Estratégico.
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El Consejo Metropolitano de Baltimore (BMC) trabaja en colaboración con los principales funcionarios electos de la región para crear iniciativas para mejorar nuestra calidad de vida y vitalidad económica. BMC, como el consejo de gobiernos de la región de Baltimore, alberga la Junta Regional de Transporte de Baltimore (BRTB), la organización federal de planificación metropolitana (MPO), y apoya al gobierno local mediante la coordinación de esfuerzos en una variedad de áreas de política que incluyen preparación para emergencias, vivienda, compras cooperativas. , planificación ambiental y desarrollo de la fuerza laboral.
La junta directiva de BMC incluye a los ejecutivos de los condados de Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford y Howard, el alcalde de la ciudad de Baltimore, miembro de las juntas de comisionados del condado de Carroll y del condado de Queen Anne, miembro del Senado del estado de Maryland, miembro de la Cámara de Delegados de Maryland, y un gobernador designado del sector privado.
