The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is planning more transit-oriented development at the West Hyattsville, College Park and Greenbelt stations.

As part of a 10-year strategic plan released earlier this month, WMATA said it would be targeting the three stations among 40 overall where it hopes to work with developers to turn currently vacant land into new apartments, office space and shops.

After initially pursuing projects in D.C., the agency is shifting its focus to Maryland for the next phase.

“We’re really focused on where we have remaining land available,” Liz Price, vice president of real estate and parking, told the Washington Business Journal. “There is more opportunity for development in Prince George’s and Montgomery County.”

WMATA likes these developments because they boost ridership, give it new revenue from real estate sales, expand the local tax base and address regional housing needs. They arguably also make transit stations safer late at night than some of the desolate parking lots they replace.

Already, WMATA has developed the Riverfront at West Hyattsville townhomes, which are currently for sale, and announced plans for affordable housing near the College Park Metro station.

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