I would also add that development spurs development. In a perfect world, the College park we all want to see would be built as fast as National Harbor was. What you see is the foundation being laid for the future look of College Park. I agree that Route 1 doesn’t look so nice at the moment with its incongruous patches of new development and blight. But the economic downturn and some misguided political moves slowed everything way down. Four years ago, you couldn’t keep up with the amount of development activity in the area, which is partly why this site was created.

There has to be a momentum for development to affect a large area such as Hyatttsville/College Park. I can confidently say that the momentum is there. The Arts District, new student housing, and even East Campus hasn’t come to a complete halt. Yes, some parts of Route 1 will remain the same for quite some time, but we’re celebrating what’s happening in the short term – momentum.

Unfortunately, the College Park we all want to see will not be complete for another 20 or so years. East Campus has been delayed by at least 2-3 years. Who knows what’s going on with the Cafritz property? Let’s not even mention North College park and the 3-4 projects that were canceled.

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Here is the phasing:
Fall 2010
University View II (11,600 SF of Retail)

Fall 2011
The Varsity (20,000 SF)
Starview Plaza (9,580 SF)

Fall 2012
Mazza GrandMarc (10,000 SF)

That amounts to probably 10-14 new retail spaces across the four projects. Walk in front of the U View and you’ll see that the new sidewalk is much wider than the 4-foot gravel strewn sidewalk that was there before. It’s also worth pointing out that in 2 years, there will be a total of 3 stream crossing that connect student housing and neighborhoods to the Paint Branch Trail that were not present 5 years ago. These retail spaces and stream crossing would have never been realized without this development.

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Clay this latest round of development hasn’t done much to improve Route 1 in my humble opinion. I’m still seeing boarded up establishments, some that have been there for 10 years or more.

I’m not afraid of change, I just want to see it done right. I don’t think all the student housing that is being built is necessary. I’d love to see something more in line with the Art District in Hyattsville, at least for part of College Park’s Route 1. I agree with those who’d like to see a Barnes and Noble (or any book store) or Trader Joes on the Book Exchange lot.

Not everyone is going to see development the way “Rethink”, Clay and David see it. That doesn’t mean we’re afraid of change because we don’t agree with you.

I appreciate your blog. I don’t appreciate you trying to scare aware visitors who don’t agree with you.

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http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/377665915_997a9b2cf7.jpg

To support a truly urban development that can house enough people close to amenities and to encourage transit/walking/biking a high rise apartment is simply the best way to go. I can certainly understand that high rises are not the most pleasing things to look at however I’m hopeful that if the entire plan for a rebuilt Route 1 with mixed use development at its core comes to fruition we will not end up with another Rockville Pike. It is doubtful that the folks who live in Rockville high rises live within 3 miles of where they work/attend school.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4521202589_0926ec7dab.jpg

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