The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced that eight surplus properties are up for sale in Maryland, Virginia, and the District with potential for commercial, residential, and/or mixed-use development. The parcels include several sites near or adjacent to Metro stations, including Columbia Heights, College Park, and Glenmont.
The sale of surplus property is expected to save money by reducing maintenance expenses on property WMATA no longer needs, while generating additional revenue for capital and operating expenses.
“Our riders want affordable, cost-effective public transit and to do that we need to find new sources of revenue and efficiencies,” said Metro GM/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We are turning over every stone, looking at all of our assets to get the most out of every dollar and ensure continued financial stability.”
All eight parcels are in areas surrounded by commercial or residential development and provide infill opportunities that will benefit the neighboring community. The offering includes more than 7,000 square feet of land in the heart of Columbia Heights on Park Road, close to popular restaurants and retailers that is prime for development.
An additional property adjacent to Glenmont Metro is also being offered for ground lease.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
