FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Second LEED-Certified Facility Reflects Agency’s Commitment to Sustainable Infrastructure
Baltimore, MD (March 16, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) today announced that the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded LEED Silver certification to the newly constructed Purple Line Operations and Maintenance Facility located in Glenridge, Maryland. This prestigious designation for leadership in energy and environmental design recognizes the facility's adherence to high-performance standards in energy efficiency, water conservation and environmental stewardship.
“Earning LEED Silver certification is a gratifying accomplishment for the Purple Line project,” said MTA Senior Project Director for the Purple Line, Ray Biggs II. “This facility demonstrates how thoughtful design and sustainable building practice can support transit operations while reducing our environmental footprint.”
The Operations and Maintenance Facility serves as the central location for maintenance, inspection and servicing of the Purple Line's fleet, which includes 28 light rail vehicles. The building will also house administrative offices and the Operations Control Center. Achieving LEED Silver status underscores MTA's commitment to building a transit system that is as environmentally responsible as it is vital to the region's mobility.
"We're honored to receive LEED certification," said Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners. "Working in close partnership with the Maryland Transit Administration, Maryland Transit Solutions and Purple Line Transit Operators, we designed, built and are now utilizing a facility that meets or exceeds some of the world's highest building standards for environmental quality."
Key sustainability features of the Purple Line's primary Operations and Maintenance Facility include:
- Energy Efficiency: Solar-reflective roofing and low-mercury lighting contributed to the building's energy reduction and consumption scores.
- Water Conservation: Water-use efficiency through low-flow fixtures and a specialized reclaimed-water system for the Light Rail Vehicle wash bay contributes to overall potable water reduction.
- Waste Reduction: During construction, over 75% of specialized waste was diverted from landfills. The facility incorporates recycled content in its structural steel and concrete. The building also achieved positive scoring for its green cleaning products and practices.
- Sustainable Transit Integration: Located near the New Carrollton transit hub, the Purple Line Operations and Maintenance Facility promotes green commuting for staff with dedicated bike storage, electric vehicle charging stations and direct access to multi-modal transit options.
- This certification marks the second LEED certification for the agency, reflecting its ongoing commitment to building infrastructure that provides operational efficiency, long-term community benefit and environmental stewardship. The Camden Station, located in Baltimore, opened in 2019 and received LEED certification in 2020.
About Maryland Transit Administration
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. The Purple Line is a 16-mile, 21-station light rail line that will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. It will directly connect to WMATA's Metrorail Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Silver Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. To learn more, visit purplelinemd.com, and follow Purple Line on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X/Twitter and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kathryn Lamb
Communications Director
Office: 240-695-9245
Cell: 667-423-9569
Ken Forsythe
Deputy Communications Director
Office: 240-695-9196
Cell: 443-854-6497
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