The Urban Land Institute ULI) recently published a post on the convening of the Fort Totten Net Zero TOD Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) held on June 3–5, 2025. The TAP was convened to support Metro’s development of the large parking lot at Fort Totten station, taking into consideration new energy requirements for new construction. Metro has previously tried to develop the large parking lot at least three times. ULI will issue a TAP report in the coming weeks.

ULI shared an initial set of recommendations:

1. Reduce the required parking.

2. Create a sense of place.

3. Collaborate with local utility PEPCO to ensure a smooth development process.

4. Integrate the new development into the existing neighborhood fabric.

I found some of the initial short and long term recommendations interesting.

Additional short-term recommendations from the panel included deepened partnerships with local community groups to begin activating the Fort Totten space and investing in placemaking around the station. Panelists also recommended identifying “quick wins” to accelerate development opportunities, such as lighting improvements, pop-up retail, and artist activations.

Long-term recommendations included making both the site and station-adjacent areas more pedestrian friendly by prioritizing the pedestrian experience, as well as by formalizing a collaboration network with the city and the utility to ensure a development-friendly experience. Panelists also emphasized the need to consider framing the joint development in terms of housing, transportation, and climate change to maximize potential funding sources (e.g., REC monetization, DC Green Bank financing, TIFIA/WIFIA infrastructure loans) and to address the most pressing needs in the region.

I have lots of thoughts on Metro’s joint development program. The upcoming ULI report will not be the first report on joint development at Fort Totten station. I am looking forward to what this one will say.