The Montgomery County Council has approved the first-ever Tax Increment Financing (TIF) resolution to create the Viva White Oak Development District, clearing a major hurdle for a $2.8 billion mixed-use project planned for East County.
Viva White Oak will be built on roughly 280 acres of long-underutilized land near the White Oak area, adjacent to the Food and Drug Administration campus. Plans call for nearly 5,000 new residential units along with commercial, retail, and public spaces. The development will include parks, bike lanes, community trails, and other public amenities designed to improve connectivity and quality of life in the area.
County officials estimate the project will generate approximately 17,000 construction jobs and 9,000 permanent jobs. Once fully completed, Viva White Oak is projected to generate about $62 million in annual county revenue.
The developer entered into contract on the property in 2023 and has worked with community organizations, local institutions, and state and county officials to shape the long-term vision for the site. Supporters say the project represents a long-overdue investment in East County, an area that has seen limited large-scale development for decades.
The approved financing mechanism allows future property tax revenues generated within the development district to be used to fund major public infrastructure tied directly to the project. Those improvements are expected to include new roads, sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, and water and sewer upgrades, without drawing from existing county resources or services.
An independent financial analysis commissioned by the county determined the district could generate up to $320 million in net proceeds for public infrastructure over time. The County Council is expected to consider a separate resolution authorizing bond issuance later this summer.
Supporters say Viva White Oak has the potential to transform the area into a major residential and employment hub while delivering long-awaited infrastructure improvements for surrounding communities.
