Rethink College Park

Of the seven active construction projects (listed on our area projects by number page) in College Park right now, five of them are student housing. The other two are University-led office buildings in M-Square. Indeed, there is an unprecedented amount of dirt moving on Route 1 right now; proving that while the national economy may still be floundering, CP student housing fundamentals are still strong. If you include South Campus Commons #7 (which was just completed near Van Munching Hall) we’re witnessing the completion of about 3,600 public, private, and public-private (partnership) student beds over the course of about 3-4 years. That’s an incredible number when you consider that the first six Commons buildings and the first phase of University View only amounted to 2,925 beds.

This surge in construction has led some to speculate that perhaps we’ll witness a student housing bubble since all of these units are dedicated student housing and totally separate from the larger area rental market. These developers who are breaking ground don’t seem to think so. We think it’s too early to tell, but a bubble wouldn’t be such a bad thing for student rents. Otis Warren’s planned University View phase III (8350-8400 Baltimore Ave. in image above) which will house about 1000 beds is apparently stalled because of market conditions (they leased out their 8400 Baltimore Ave office building for another year). UMD is also holding tight on Commons #8. If either of these projects get moving again in 2011 or soon thereafter, it will be a clear indication that developers and financiers still see profit potential in student high rises.

Here is a construction rundown: Continue reading →

The Varsity Grill is closing its doors after just under two years. The owners blamed its demise on both the local economy and its inability to attract a loyal following among students. The past two years has been a abysmal time to get a business off the ground and we are sad to see the Varsity Grill go. It would seem that with all of the construction nearby that the Grill would soon have a large base of patrons.

UPDATE: According to the Diamondback the real reason for the sudden closure of the popular restaurant is because the landlord is selling to property to a high-rise developer.

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Washington Post Plant

The University announced today that they plan to purchase the abandoned Washington Post site for $12 Million with the intention to use the site to house facilities currently on the East Campus site.  This is a clear victory for those who were opposed to using the Wooded Hillock site  for relocation as was previously recommended.

The Washington Post site is 18.5 acres with 315,000 square feet of space available. A good portion of the indoor space is 2 1/2 stories tall and could be converted to seperate floors if needed.

Is this a good plan? Brilliant move? Waste of money? What are your thoughts? The Campus press release is after the break.

Also see  Post to Abandon College Park Printing Plant

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*Indicates updated project information
New information italicized

PLANS FILED (8)

CHINESE BIBLE CHURCH OF COLLEGE PARK*
The Chinese Bible Church has filed their Detailed Site Plan to build an addition to their existing church and to expand their parking lot.  The DSP has not been accepted.

THE DOMAIN AT COLLEGE PARK*
Located at the corner of Campus Drive and Mowatt Lane, this project is proposed to be a 5-story luxury multi-family building with 250 residential units and 5,000 – 10,000 square feet of retail.  The Hanover Company will be the developer.    The developer will market the project to graduate students, young professionals, visiting professors, and empty nesters.  The project is expected to be delivered in the fall of 2012 based on a tentative construction schedule.  In July 2009, the District Council approved a zoning change from R55 to M-X-T. Continue reading →

As always, we’re strategizing ways to attract and retain new writers for this site. Check out this new document we put together! It will be permanently located on our “contribute” page. Click HERE to view a larger version.

RTCP New Writer’s Guide

RTCP reader “Froggie” posted a comment that the Paint branch crossing would be ideal for a HAWK signal.

This does seem like the perfect fit for the Paint Branch crossing. When I visit Santa this weekend this is what I am going to ask for.

HAWK stands for High-intensity Activated crossWalk.

• When a pedestrian wishes to cross the street, they push a button and the signal begins with a flashing yellow light that warns drivers approaching the crosswalk to slow down.
• The flashing yellow light is followed by a solid yellow light, telling drivers to prepare to stop.
• The signal then changes to a solid red for the drivers to stop at the stop bar, and the pedestrian gets a walk signal.
• The solid red signal converts to a flashing red after a few seconds, allowing drivers to proceed when safe to do so.
• The HAWK is normally in an “off” position until it is activated by someone wanting to cross a busy street.

related post… End of Paint Branch Pkwy Saga?

The College Park Gazette recently reported that the National Museum of Language in College Park has not been receiving enough funding.  According to the source:

The National Museum of Language in College Park opened in 2008 as the first facility of its kind in the United States—a museum dedicated specifically to teaching the history of the world’s languages.

But now, museum members are worried that a lack of funding could spell the end for an idea that was nearly 40 years in the making.

The museum is located on the second level of an office building at 7100 Baltimore Avenue–near Fraternity Row.  It is open Tuesdays, Saturdays and the first and third Sundays of each month.  Admission is free, but the museum is seeking donations and memberships in addition to the occasional government grants it receives.  The private funding is used to pay for operational costs.  According to the museum’s treasurer, James McFadden:

The museum needs about 800 members to be self-sustaining, and the next few months will likely determine whether it has potential to grow.

For more information about the museum, you can visit its website here.

We’ve done a number of posts outlining the safety situation where the College Park Trolley Trail crosses Paint Branch Parkway. Since the City and County spearheaded initial “improvements” to the crossing, there have been three serious accidents. The City Council stepped in this October demanding that further improvements be made and Councilmember Stephanie Stullich in particular has been fighting for changes. At an October Council meeting:

Continue reading →