Could Nearby “Arts District” Benefit CP?
March 22nd, 2007 | by Sarah Stein | Published in Businesses, EYA Arts District Hyattsville, Hyattsville | 6 Comments
About five miles south of College Park on Route 1, construction of an “Arts District” in Hyattsville is well under way. Guided by years of planning by county officials to develop a Gateway Arts District in the area, a large development by the EYA company is now under construction.
This new development includes 350 rowhomes, at least 100 condominiums. The project includes 13 “live-work” units, which are expected to be habited by mostly local artists who will run businesses on the ground floor with their dwelling units above. In addition to the residential community, new restaurants and retail are expected to find a place as well. Currently on the drafting board for the town is a new Art Gallery bordering Route 1, bike trails, swimming facilities, and fitness center. The Arts District is designed to take advantage of vacant land and closed auto dealerships, long the target of local leaders unhappy with their existence on Route 1. The expectation is that the project will improve conditions along Route 1 in Hyattsville. The Washington Post reported on development in the Arts District in December.
Do not some of these same conditions exist along the Route 1 sector next to campus in College Park? An empty furniture store lies across from Plato’s Diner; an old administration building behind Kinko’s is abandoned. Further North, the condition of Route 1 worsens. However, what exists in Hyattsville that will hopefully be contagious to its neighboring towns along Route 1 is the cooperative excitement of residents and businesses. College Park has potential to integrate its downtown with its community of permanent residents and university students. Hopefully the Arts District to our south will spark positive development in College Park.
March 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm (#)
I think this is a very cool project and I too wonder how it will affect College Park. Do people think it will raise property values in the region or will it not affect things very much?
I think the development of Hyattsville, Greenbelt and College Park in conjunction will in general make this area more desireable for students, residents, businesses and entertainment.
Also, the live-work units will include a cafe, an architect, a graphic designer and maybe a lawyer, if I heard correctly. I went in and talked to the sales people in their office in Hyattsville a while back. For any who are interested, the office features an very cool, enormous architectural model, as well as a 10-foot high map of the route 1 corridor from satellite view.
I would definitely recommend anyone to stop by and check it out. I wonder how much it has changed now that the building is really getting going.
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March 23rd, 2007 at 7:32 am (#)
Shawn,
The area is really taking shape. It’s going be a nice neighborhood, although, I cringe at the thought of more vehicular traffic on US-1.
The Hyattsville H4x site is a good resource for Arts District updates and links – http://www.hyattsvilleh4x.com/
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March 23rd, 2007 at 11:16 am (#)
The redevelopment of Laurel Mall, just a few miles north of College Park, also stands to benefit the campus community. In just five or ten years, northern Prince George’s County – from the D.C. line to the Howard County line – will be a dramatically different place.
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March 24th, 2007 at 7:56 pm (#)
I just had a chat with the sales staff last week; they claim sales are still going very well, even taking into account the slowing of the housing market. Supposedly they have a signed a lease with the trendy cafe/eatery Busboys and Poets for space in the as-yet unbuilt east-side development, and they are still in negotiations with Trader Joes.
I live about 2 blocks from this project, so I am hopeful that it will raise property values to have cafes and such so nearby.
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March 29th, 2007 at 11:44 pm (#)
Sorry to nitpick, but you said the project is 5 miles south of College Park, but actually it’s less than 2 miles. I just mapquested it, College Park and Hyattsville city halls are only 2.17 miles apart.
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January 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm (#)
Hello – This is Jennifer from EYA, the developer and builder of Arts District Hyattsville. I was just reading some of your comments and value your input. As mentioned, we have a large scale model which shows the entire project, accompanied by an aerial map. It is only two miles from College Park. We’re open daily from 11am – 6pm, so feel free to stop by to see for yourself how nicely the development is taking shape.
We’ve signed a lease with Busboys and Poets (a local DC restaurant, bar, and cafe), and both Tara Thai and Starbucks have signed letters of intent to occupy space. Arts District Hyattsville will certainly be a great option for off-campus housing – there’s a UMD bus stop right out front of our sales office. It will also offer some of the most unique dining options in the area, including the popular Franklin’s Brewery.
We hope you’re able to visit soon!
(301) 209-0116
http://www.EYA.com
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