{"id":19792,"date":"2025-06-02T12:47:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T12:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mpower.maryland.edu\/?p=19792"},"modified":"2025-06-02T12:47:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T12:47:15","slug":"next-step-forward-for-institute-for-health-computing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mpower.maryland.edu\/next-step-forward-for-institute-for-health-computing\/","title":{"rendered":"Next Step Forward for Institute for Health Computing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Published by UMB News<\/a> | May 30, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Governor Wes Moore joined Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke, and University of Maryland <\/strong>leadership May 27 to announce the selection of Hines as the master developer for the North Bethesda Metro Station site\u2014a 13.9-acre North Bethesda joint development adjacent to the rail station. This development is the future home of the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC)<\/a><\/strong> and a transformative hub for life sciences and artificial intelligence innovation. This announcement marks a major milestone in a long-term vision to create a world-class, transit-oriented development that connects Maryland\u2019s economic strengths in biotech, computing and federal research with dynamic new housing, jobs and public spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“More than five years ago, I approached University of Maryland about bringing graduate level research using AI to drive drug discovery and medical research to Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Executive Elrich. “At the same time, I approached WMATA about developing the North Bethesda metro site as a life sciences center to be anchored by the Institute for Health Computing. It was important to be located at a metro station on the 355 corridor, close to NIH and other critical life science assets. We are creating an environment rich in collision spaces where scientists can meet, gather, share their ideas and advance their work. We are designing something that will attract the kinds of businesses that will drive high-value growth in our County and strengthen our profile nationally in the life sciences field. I want to thank WMATA and the University of Maryland for seriously examining my ideas and making a decision to move forward. I also want to thank the Governor and the many elected officials who have also supported this effort. We are glad to see Hines, with a reputation for successful life science development, as the development company selected to carry this out.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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UMB Pres. Bruce Jarrell speaks about the future of the Institute for Health Computing<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cTogether, we are transforming North Bethesda into a hub for innovation, opportunity and growth,\u201d said Gov. Moore. \u201cOur administration is confident that this redevelopment project will ensure that the Red Line won\u2019t just help commuters get from North Bethesda to where they want to go, but it will help bring people from all over the capital region to this community. Today, we celebrate the beautiful future for this community, one where Maryland families can get from where they live to where opportunity lies; where the State of Maryland is a national leader in science, technology, engineering, and math; and a future where our state is the model for creating new jobs, building more housing, and leaving no one behind.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t be more excited about what this development is going to mean for Montgomery County, Maryland and Metro,\u201d said Metro’s Clarke. \u201cNorth Bethesda will be a model for life-sciences-anchored transit-oriented development around the world, creating new transit users and connecting people to economic opportunities. This development project wouldn\u2019t be possible without the outstanding support of our local and federal partners, to whom we are extremely grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the project is the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC), which is already employing over 100 staff and researchers working on real-time, life-saving innovations in a nearby temporary space. The Institute exemplifies how AI and health sciences can intersect to transform care, accelerate discovery and fuel economic growth. Envisioned as the \u201cnext-generation Kendall Square\u201d, the new district will integrate cutting-edge research, commercial space and new housing options in a walkable, vibrant neighborhood built around the Metro Red Line. The site sits between two global life sciences anchors\u2014NIH and the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center\u2014and is strategically positioned to retain and attract federal talent and private investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe certainly want to be part of inventing in this location new drugs, new ideas for health care, understanding previously unexplained diseases, anything that’s novel that will help our state of Maryland,\u201d said University of Maryland, Baltimore<\/a><\/strong> President Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS<\/strong>. \u201cYour support has already put us on the map. Now, this new site will amplify the Institute for Health Computing community, amplify computer science in College Park, amplify the health sciences in Baltimore, and amplify Maryland\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 35-member Montgomery County Delegation to the General Assembly has worked in partnership with the Executive Branch to secure necessary funding for the Institute of Health Computing\u2019s operations, site preparation, and the second Metro entrance to help bring the North Bethesda area and this joint development project forward to the next step,\u201d said Del. Marc Korman, chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are excited about the plan announced today as it builds on the strong foundation we have been creating in North Bethesda to develop a first in the nation hub for biotech with public transit, housing, the arts, and more all within a few minutes of each other,\u201d said Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart. \u201cPeople will come from all over to do scientific research and stay to call Montgomery County home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The selection of Hines comes after a competitive process led by WMATA, in partnership with Montgomery County and the University System of Maryland. The development will span up to 60 acres, expanding well beyond the original 14-acre Metro parcel, and is expected to reshape the Pike District. Last summer, Metro and Montgomery County officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding that affirmed infrastructure funding and economic development incentives for North Bethesda, including over $36.6 million for on-site infrastructure, a new north entrance to the Metro station and a commitment from the University of Maryland to establish the Institute of Health Computing as an anchor for the development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are excited to participate in the conception of this vibrant mixed-use, transit-oriented campus that will create a platform for the next generation of innovation in the life science space, in addition to developing the new Metro station entrance,\u201d said Andrew McGeorge, senior managing director at Hines. \u201cWe look forward to bringing our extensive placemaking experience to the North Bethesda community and working with Metro, Montgomery County and the State of Maryland on this project.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six development teams responded to Metro\u2019s Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Hines was competitively selected based on their proven capacity to execute complex projects, including significant experience with and commitment to life sciences integrated with mixed-use development. The future development is envisioned to include delivery of a new Metro entrance on the north side of the station, a signature building along Rockville Pike, the future home of the University of Maryland\u2019s Institute for Health Computing and incubator space, as well as a mix of life science, residential and retail uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The effort is backed by significant federal, state, and county investments, made possible through coordinated efforts across agencies and elected offices. Among the key partners and supporters: <\/p>\n\n\n\n