About
The Gateway Master Plan provides a comprehensive, actionable roadmap for transforming it into an “innovation district” – a vibrant, mixed-use hub for research, ideas, and creativity.
WHAT'S NEW
- On October 6, the Howard County Council passed the Gateway Master Plan, which was then signed into law by County Executive Calvin Ball on October 9. The final adopted plan incorporates all amendments adopted by the County Council.
The Master Plan
Our Plan Summary is a 10-page overview highlighting key principles and focus areas of the Plan.
Prepared by consultant HOK 2025.
A compilation of some of the most frequently asked questions about the Gateway Master Plan. You'll find clear information about innovation districts, the reasons behind the redevelopment, and key aspects of the plan.
Our Comment Summary highlights the ideas, suggestions, and concerns shared by the community, along with DPZs response.
Resources
Prepared by Municap, Inc., for Gateway, July 2025.
Prepared by Municap, Inc., for Gateway, July 2025.
Prepared by consultant, Partners for Economic Solutions (PES), June 2025.
Prepared by consultant, Stiletto, July 2025.
Timeline
January 25 Open House - DPZ and its consultant team presented information about the master plan process and participants had the opportunity to provide feedback on Gateway's future as an innovation district.
On September 18, Illustrative concepts were presented that depict different design and land use possibilities over the next 10-30 years.
On January 21st and 22nd, DPZ and our consultant team presented the preferred master plan for the redevelopment of Gateway. This proposal builds upon the invaluable community feedback gathered during the public meeting in September 2024. The updated plan envisions a bold transformation of Gateway into a vibrant "innovation district" - a hub for new research and ideas within an area that is dynamic, mixed-use, connected, and creative.
Missed the presentation? You can get caught up with our presentation slides or watch our meeting recording.
The February 2025 Gateway Master Plan Engagement Summary highlights feedback on the preferred Master Plan. Review insights and notable quotes from meeting participants and community members in our updated Engagement Summary.
On October 6, the Howard County Council passed the Gateway Master Plan, which was then signed into law by County Executive Calvin Ball on October 9.
Over the coming weeks, the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning will work to incorporate all amendments adopted by Council and finalize the Plan. Stay tuned to this website as the final plan will be posted when available.
Background
The Gateway area covers approximately 1,100 acres of business and industrial land. General Electric (GE) built an appliance manufacturing facility there after purchasing the land from James Rouse and operating until 1990. Rouse then repurchased the land and redeveloped it into the Columbia Gateway office park. Now, new redevelopment is being explored.
A key job center, Gateway is poised for 24/7 activity. The County's latest general plan, HoCo By Design, envisions it as a hub for jobs, housing, entertainment, open space, and transit. Bounded by Interstate 95, Maryland Route 175, Snowden River Parkway, and the CSX rail corridor, Gateway has strong potential due to its size, location, and layout.
Committee & Consultants
An Advisory Committee for the Gateway Master Plan was appointed by the County Executive via EO-2024-04. Committee members represent key community stakeholders and subject matter experts, including Gateway property and business owners, representatives of Columbia Association, and other community members with an expertise in economic development, innovation, housing, sustainability, and critical planning areas. The Committee will take a deeper dive into the planning process, acting as a sounding board for ideas and providing feedback on data and analysis.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. HOK designs buildings and spaces that respond to the needs of people and the environment. HOK’s designs are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination, and focused on a solitary goal: to deliver solutions that inspire clients and communities. HOK has been involved in the planning of innovation districts for decades, and will lead this effort with support from the following subconsultants.
Stiletto is a market research and strategic planning firm that consistently generates meaningful, lasting impacts in communities and organizations. Working at the intersection of academia, industry, and government, Stiletto develops intentional, results-driven, outcomes-based, and inclusive strategies that have accelerated impact for more than 200 clients in North America.
Partners for Economic Solutions is a full-service urban economics consulting firm dedicated to fostering sustainable economic vitality and growth in America’s neighborhoods, cities, and regions. Working extensively with cities, economic development and redevelopment agencies, public/private partnerships, universities, housing authorities, and non-profits, PES brings real estate and economics expertise to bear on a wide range of urban development and public policy issues.
Additional Consultants: The County will also be engaging firms that provide transportation, water and sewer, and infrastructure financing modeling and analysis services to complement the team.
Follow The Process
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