Project Background

The Montgomery County Climate Action Plan has goals to reduce the County’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035. A critical strategy to meet these goals is to convert the County’s fleet to zero-emissions vehicles. The Montgomery County Departments of General Services (DGS) and Transportation (DOT) are developing a phased plan to address the County’s transit infrastructure, fleet, depot and operational needs over the next ten years to transition to Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs).

The County completed a Program of Requirements for a new bus operations and maintenance facility to support a dedicated fleet of 255 ZEBs operating out of a new net zero bus facility. In addition to a new net zero bus facility, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) must replace its existing Shady Grove Depot located on Crabbs Branch Way that serves approximately 420 buses. Like the County, MCPS is also transitioning the school bus fleet to ZEBs. It is desirable to co-locate the depots, achieve economies of scale, and allow sharing of spaces to reduce overall cost. Additionally, the County is committed to sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The bus depots will include a smart microgrid, on-site renewable energy sources and high-capacity storage to power buses and buildings with renewable energy towards achieving net zero and 2035 emissions targets.

The County identified Jeremiah Park, 45 acres on the east side of Crabbs Branch Way in Derwood, where the current MCPS Shady Grove Depot is located. A new co-located depot can be accommodated at this County-owned site and as part of a mixed-use development consistent with the Shady Grove Sector Plan. In 2012, the Preliminary Plan for Jeremiah Park was approved by the Montgomery Planning Board to include 345 townhomes and 344 multi-family units, and an eight-acre elementary school and park site. The Preliminary Plan contemplates relocation of the MCPS Shady Grove Depot off site. After multiple relocation efforts and evolving bus depot and transit needs for both MCPS and DOT, it was determined that co-located depots at Jeremiah Park is the most viable option to meet the needs of both agencies while maintaining the integrity of the Shady Grove Sector Plan.

The County engaged a consultant team, with Design Collective leading the planning effort alongside PRR and VHB, to provide comprehensive community outreach and engagement activities that took place April through September 2024 related to the depot and mixed-use development on Jeremiah Park. The consultant team provided land planning and high-level concept designs for the entire 45-acre parcel, based on feedback from the community engagement process. The next step is the County’s solicitation of a partner to build the new bus depot; a Request for Qualifications has been issued.