A Flying Start for Greater College Park

Plans to revive the area around the historic College Park Airport are about to take off.

The Terrapin Development Company (TDC), the university’s economic development arm, has partnered with the city, Prince George’s County and private companies with plans for Aviation Landing, envisioned as a 1.3 million-square-foot complex of retail, research and office spaces and 900-plus units of housing.

Located across from the College Park Metro Station and the coming light-rail Purple Line, the neighborhood will emphasize walkability, accessibility to recreational sites, and physical and research connections to the world’s oldest continuously operating airport.

Its storied past—including as former base of the Wright brothers—has intrigued UMD President Darryll J. Pines, an aerospace engineer, since his recruitment visit 30 years ago.

“I have often wanted this area to fully reflect the potential that brought me to College Park, and Aviation Landing helps fulfill that original vision,” he said at a November announcement event.

The project will mark another step in strengthening the university’s Discovery District, part of its $2 billion Greater College Park revitalization initiative. The county and another partner, 4 Castles, which owns two fire safety companies in the area, will donate land for Aviation Landing, while a third—Mosaic Development Partners—is already working with TDC on redeveloping UMD’s nearby Old Leonardtown community.

When completed, the county expects Aviation Landing to create 2,700 full-time, permanent jobs and generate $370 million in annual economic output. Groundbreaking is expected by 2025.