GOVERNOR O’MALLEY AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE BAKER ANNOUNCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

New development projected to support 30,000 jobs and generate nearly $100 million in revenue for State and County

ANNAPOLIS (April 19, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker today announced a joint agreement that will allow for the construction of the final phase of the Intercounty Connector (ICC/MD 200) and assist economic development efforts in Prince George’s County.  The tri-party agreement – between the state, the county, and developers of a future project known as Konterra – includes construction of a planned I-95 interchange with Contee Road near MD 198 and extension of Virginia Manor Road for access to a 2,200-acre mixed-use development at Konterra.  When completed, the Konterra development is projected to create 30,000 jobs and bring nearly $100 million in tax revenue to the county and State.

“This innovative agreement benefits the public sector, the private sector, and most importantly, the citizens of Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland by creating jobs and fueling economic progress in this area,” Governor O’Malley said at an event today.  “We are standing here today because all three parties involved were willing to think outside the box and look at the long-term potential for job growth and economic activity in northern Prince George’s County.  Together, we can create thousands of jobs and drive hundreds of millions in economic activity to an important region that is growing even in tough economic times.”

Since 2007, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Prince George’s County have participated in discussions with the owners of Konterra to acquire 240 acres of land needed for the construction of the ICC/MD 200.  This agreement brings an ‘eminent domain’ land acquisition proceeding to an amicable resolution.  Under the agreement, a series of highway improvements will be constructed to facilitate access from I-95 and the ICC, and to enable planned development in the area to proceed.

“This critical public investment will create jobs and economic opportunity for generations of Prince Georgians and Marylanders,” said County Executive Baker. “On behalf of the citizens of Prince George's County, I want to thank Governor O'Malley for his unwavering support to bring economic development to the County.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the owners of Konterra agreed to donate approximately 240 acres of land required to build the ICC, plus approximately 80 acres needed for highway improvements in the area, in lieu of actual payment from the State Highway Administration (SHA) for the property.  SHA will proceed with construction of a modified version of the remaining two ICC contracts (formerly known as contracts D and E), which will extend the ICC from I-95 east to Virginia Manor Road and US 1.  SHA also will construct service roads between exits, known as collector and distributor or “local lanes,” along I-95 north of the ICC interchange.

Additionally, SHA will construct the planned interchange connecting I-95 with Contee Road Extended in the vicinity of the current Van Dusen Road Bridge over I-95 between MD 198 and MD 212. This new interchange is included in the current Prince George’s County Master Plan and has been identified by Prince George’s County as one of their highest transportation priorities. The construction of the Contee Road interchange will be complete by mid-2015.

Prince George’s County will construct a new roadway, to be known as Virginia Manor Road Extended, to connect the ICC/Virginia Manor Road interchange with the new I-95/Contee Road interchange.  The new roadway will continue west to connect this new intersection with existing Old Gunpowder Road.  MDOT will pay $30 million of the cost for this new roadway, with Prince George’s County repaying the state a combination of $10 million in cash and county-owned land that is needed by the state for highway improvements.

Konterra is situated in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, straddling Interstate 95 just one exit north of the Capital Beltway.  Konterra will include a mixed-use town center, upscale retail and hospitality venues, technology campuses, educational institutions, and residential and business communities.  Economic studies estimate annual tax revenues of $65 million to the state and $31 million to Prince Georges’ from Phase I of the development.  When the development is complete, annual tax revenue is estimated to be $95 million. The improvements SHA, the County and the developer have agreed to will accelerate the Konterra development.  In Phase I alone, it is projected that nearly 3,500 direct and indirect construction jobs will be supported by the project.  Economic studies estimate that 30,000 permanent jobs will be created at build-out of the development. 

The first segment of the ICC from I-370 to MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) opened to traffic February 23.  The remaining segments of the ICC from MD 97 to I-95 are under construction and should be complete late 2011/early 2012.

SHA will formally invite local and national contractors to participate in the procurement of MD 200/ICC “Contract D/E Modified” in early May. Construction of this last ICC segment will begin in early 2012 and be complete by late 2014.   The procurement of the next segment of the ICC will include the extension of the ICC from I-95 to an at-grade intersection at Virginia Manor Road. The contract will also include an option to later construct an ICC/Virginia Manor Road interchange and extend the ICC to US 1, contingent on available future funding within the previously approved ICC financial plan.

For more information about the MD 200/ICC project, please call the ICC Community Outreach staff at 1-866-462-0020 or visit the ICC web site at http://www.iccproject.com/ and/or the MDTA web site at http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/.