Gentrification and Business Closures in Maryland's Purple Line Corridor.

This article examines gentrification and its economic impacts along Maryland's Purple Line, a new light rail transit project in the Washington, DC suburbs. Using census data from 2000 and 2015–2019, the study identifies significant gentrification in neighborhoods along the Purple Line Corridor prior to the line's 2026 opening, characterized by rising home values, incomes, rents, and educational attainment. Analysis of firm-level employment data reveals that while employment, wages, and the number of small businesses have generally increased in gentrifying areas, businesses located near the rail line and within gentrifying neighborhoods face a higher likelihood of closure, potentially due to construction disruptions and rising commercial costs. The findings highlight the complex relationship between transit investment, neighborhood change, and small business dynamics, underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions to support local businesses amid ongoing development.