Rethink College Park

Here’s the latest roundup from the Business Beat newsletter, published every two months by the City of College Park.

General Announcements:

Downtown College Park Farmers Market

The 2013 season opened on April 14th with a new market master and an expanded roster of vendors. The market now features producer-only fruits and vegetables, including organic options. New vendors include a bakery, a meat purveyor, and an orchard. For more information on the market please visit its page on Shop College Park. Free parking available on Sundays!

Commercial Tenant Improvement Program

The City is offering up to $25,000 in grant funds for leasehold improvements of commercial retail spaces for new or expanding businesses. The reimbursement grant will cover up to 50% of the total improvement costs for qualifying businesses. The program targets locally-owned and independent operators. Use the following links to get information and an application for this program.

Business Sign Assistance Fund

College Park operates a signage grant program which assists businesses with the costs needed to install storefront signs. The program offers up to $2,500 in matching funds for design, production, and installation. While FY 2013 funds are nearly gone, a new set of funding will be available beginning July 1st.  Program guidelines and an application are available.

April 2013 Business Activity

Now Open:

- The Maryland Smokehouse

Opened this month at the former location of Austin Grill Express on the ground floor of The Varsity apartments.  Offers upscale casual dining that reaches south to offer delicious Memphis-style barbeque. Menu items include ribs, beef brisket, southern sides, unique cocktails and desserts. All served with warm hospitality in a vibrant, bluesy atomosphere.

The opening was covered in this Diamondback article.

- Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill

Opened in March, at the former location of Boston Market in the College Park Shopping Center.  Chain restaurant, started in the Denver area in 2007. Offers patrons the opportunity to build their own entrees. Pitas are made from scratch and baked on site throughout the day. Salads and sauces are made from fresh, whole vegetables and prepared each morning

Covered in this Diamondback article.

- One Stop Shop

Convenience store on College Ave, just east of Rt. 1.

Business Closings:

- YoLove Frozen Yogurt

Located on the ground floor of the Varsity apartments.  The closing was covered in this Diamondback article.

- Sears Optical

Located at the Village at College Park Shopping Center by Route 1 & I-495, next to IKEA.

Coming Attractions:

Downtown:

- 7-11

Expected to open in Fall 2013, by Route 1 & Guilford Rd.

- Jumbo Slice Pizza

Expected opening in summer 2013 on Route 1 & Lehigh, next to the Barking Dog. A DC late night classic, Jumbo Slice Pizza offers oversized pizza and a few other menu items at their Adams Morgan location. Photos and information can be found at their Foursquare page.

- Slices Pizza Co.

Expected to open in Spring 2013, going into Terrapin Station.

Offers gourmet pizza by the slice. College Park is their 2nd location; original is in Greensboro, NC. Built around a simple combination: create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, maintain the highest operating standards, and serve great pizza. Their dough is hand-rolled daily and they offer over a dozen types of pizza at any one time.

- Terrapin Turf

Going into the former Santa Fe Café space on Knox Road, expected to open Summer 2013. The latest update is in this Diamondback article.

- Verizon Wireless

Phone service retailer already has one location by IKEA in North College Park, scheduled to open another in Fall 2013, at the corner of Route 1 & Guilford Ave.

Lower Midtown:

- Denny’s

Expected to open late in 2013, located on Rt. 1 in former Varsity Grille building. Covered by Patch.

- Newaabsaab Kabobs

Mediterranean restaurant, expected to open in summer 2013. Sharing the same location as Rita’s Italian Ice (8900 Baltimore Ave)

- State Employee Credit Union (SECU)

MD Credit Union branch location scheduled to open in summer 2013, on the ground floor of the View II apartments.

West Campus:

At least four businesses on the ground floor of the Domain at College Park are scheduled to open in the summer of 2013, around the time the new apartment complex (near Campus Drive & Mowatt Lane) opens. More information about the Domain property can be found here.

- Casey’s Coffee

Casey’s Coffee is opening a new location providing customers with coffee, specialty drinks, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, lunch, and other menu items. The College Park location will join their other coffee shops located in downtown DC, Baltimore, Ellicott City, and Columbia.

- Gateway Newstand (Convenience store)

- Subway

- Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt

Berwyn:

- Independent Coffee Shop (to be named later):

Expected to open late in 2013.  Located on Berwyn Rd, next door to Fishnet. To be operated by Fishnet owner; covered by Patch.

Upper Midtown:

- IYoggie:

New frozen yogurt shop, located near the Shopper’s Food in the College Park Marketplace Shopping Center on Cherry Hill Road by Rt. 1.  Expected to open in summer 2013.

- Jamaican Gee’s:

Quick service restaurant, expected to open in summer 2013.  Located by Proteus Bikes, on Rt. 1 between Delaware & Erie.

Uptown:

Two well known businesses have signed leases in the Village at College Park Shopping Center, located at Route 1 & I-495 (next to IKEA) and are expected to open in Summer 2013.

- Dunkin Donuts

- Mr. Smoothie

Here’s the latest roundup from the Business Beat newsletter, published every two months by the City of College Park

General Announcements:

Real Estate Roundtable – March 19, 2013

The City is hosting their 2013 Real Estate Roundtable on Tuesday, March 19th from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Hampton Inn College Park, which is located at 9670 Baltimore Avenue. The event, which is free of charge, provides an opportunity for local stakeholders to receive updates on major developments and to discuss future plans that will shape College Park for years to come.  This year’s featured discussion will center around three recently completed market studies concerning College Park: College Park Metro Station TOD Market Analysis, Route One Communities Retail Market Study, and the University of Maryland Faculty/Staff Housing Market Analysis. A panel discussion will be held with representatives from each firm: Christine Graziano of AECOM, Eric Smart of Bolan Smart Associates Inc., and Linda Anderson of Anderson Strickler LLC.

To RSVP, please contact Michael Stiefvater at 240-487-3543 or mstiefvater at collegeparkmd.gov by March 8th.

City Launches Commercial Tenant Improvement Program

The City is offering up to $25,000 in grant funds for leasehold improvements of commercial retail spaces for new or expanding businesses. The reimbursement grant will cover up to 50% of the total improvement costs for qualifying businesses. The program will target locally-owned and independent businesses that fill a void in the College Park’s retail environment such as an apparel store, coffee shop, full service restaurant, and health club. Use the following links to get information and an application for this program.

Relaunch of Shop College Park Website

Launched in July 2008, the Shop College Park website provides an online presence for all of the City’s retail businesses. To improve the site’s functionality, the City authorized a redesign that launched in January 2013. Improvements include a new visual design, a mobile version, an improved search function, and a blog.

 College Park Neighborhood Business Discount Cards

Formed in an effort to bring local independent businesses together, CPNBA aims to promote College Park businesses and maintain a strong, local economy. To encourage patronage of these local independent businesses, CPNBA has recently released a free discount card.  The cards allow patrons to access deals at a variety of businesses, which are viewable online.  Currently there are 19 participating businesses and the cards are available at participating businesses or City Hall.

February 2013 Business Activity

Now Open:

- Ovo Simply Veggie (Rt. 1 & Hartwick Rd, Terrapin Station)
Ovo Simply Veggie is a quick service restaurant focusing on innovative vegetarian dishes with an Asian influence. Ovo Simply Veggie hopes to showcase the varying possibilities for healthy food beyond salad including unique desserts.  Featured in this Diamondback article.

- Eddie’s Cafe  (Rhode Island & Edgewood, Hollywood Shopping Center)
Eddie’s Cafe is now open in the Hollywood Shopping Center and offers a wide variety of Chinese and American dishes. The dishes, ranging from Szechuan beef to cheeseburgers, are all priced under $10 at this locally-owned restaurant.

Business Closings:

- A2Z Wireless (Rt. 1 & Knox Rd)

- Capital One Bank (Rt. 1 & Cherry Hill, close to Shoppers Warehouse)

Continue reading →

If anyone thought the Cafritz Project was a done deal, events over the course of less than one week have been enough to shake that belief.  Headlines taken from the Riverdale Patch show how quickly the narrative can change:

Jan 11: Cafritz Not a Done Deal, Riverdale Park Council Says

Jan 15: Planning Staff Recommends Disapproval of Cafritz Preliminary Plan

Jan 15: Cafritz Team Withdraws Preliminary Plan

All the controversy and hearings over Cafritz last year were to approve a rezoning plan that would allow the 37 acre property to be changed from single family detached residential to mixed use town center.  After the Prince George’s District Council approved the Cafritz rezoning plan last July, there were two other major steps requiring county approval before construction could begin on a Whole Foods, luxury hotel and nearly 1000 housing units: (1) Preliminary Plan of Subdivision, and (2) Detailed Site Plan.

The Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (PPS) was originally scheduled for review by the County Planning Board on Jan. 17th.  However, the Riverdale Park Town Council found issues with the proposed path of the hiker-biker trail and the crossing over CSX rail lines.  County Planning Board staff also found the proposal failed to meet several conditions required for passage and recommended disapproval of the PPS.  Shortly afterwards, the Cafritz development team decided to temporarily withdraw its proposal.

Of all the concerns raised with the Cafritz PPS, issues with the proposed CSX crossing are the most problematic.  Opponents have long argued that a project of this scale would only exacerbate traffic woes on Route 1.  Smart growth measures such as a hiker/biker trail extension and shuttles to College Park & Prince George’s Plaza Metro stations helped alleviate some concerns, but the CSX crossing was a key component to address Route 1 issues head on and win over many Cafritz skeptics, since it provided another path for future traffic.  The funding and timing of a CSX crossing was one of the final issues resolved last year before the rezoning plan was approved by University Park and Riverdale Park.  The CSX crossing is also featured prominently in the long list of conditions that were agreed upon before final approval of the Cafritz rezoning.

Last month, the mood was more optimistic, as the Cafritz development team shared an early version of the PPS with the Riverdale Town Council. The PPS specified that the CSX crossing would be an elevated bridge placed at a location involving the use of property belonging to the American Center for Physics (ACP).  At the time, the Cafritz team mentioned that ACP approval could be a potential stumbling block, but remained confident.  However, it turned out ACP wasn’t on board with this vision and eventually opted to launch its own investigation of the potential impacts of the CSX crossing.  No decision from ACP is forthcoming until its independent analysis is complete, which is predicted to take at least several months.  Further, ACP sent out a strongly worded letter about the CSX crossing to officials in Riverdale Park, University Park and College Park that included the following passage:

“The ACP Board is angry that a letter was provided at the Monday, January 14th, meeting of the University Park Town Council, which erroneously appeared to present ACP’s support for having a roadway across our property. That letter was never reviewed or authorized by the ACP Board.”

Shortly afterwards, the Cafritz development team decided to withdraw the PPS from consideration.  

This turn of events leaves Cafritz developers scrambling to satisfy the conditions of the rezoning approval while also meeting its own development goals, which called for construction to start by January 2014 and the opening of a Whole Foods Market a year later.  Though the Cafritz team has until the end of January to submit the PPS to the county, it may take months before they reapply.  If Cafritz developers can eventually reach an agreement with ACP or find a viable alternative location for the CSX crossing, their path towards groundbreaking becomes much clearer.  If not, the lack of a CSX crossing threatens to send the massive project back to square one.

Here’s the latest roundup from the Business Beat newsletter, published every two months by the City of College Park

General Announcements:

City Receives $75,000 for Launch of Commercial Tenant Improvement Program

In November, the City of College Park was awarded $75,000 by the State of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development for the formation of a Commercial Tenant Improvement Program. The program will provide new small businesses with a matching grant for the costs associated with leasehold improvements (HVAC, mechanical, electrical, windows, etc.). A maximum of $25,000 per grant is available to qualifying businesses, which will undergo a review of their business plan and financial capabilities. Any interested businesses, property owners, or brokers should contact the College Park Economic Development office for more information.  More details about the improvement program were provided in this article by the North College Park Informant.

Relaunch of Shop College Park Website

Launched in July 2008, the Shop College Park website provides an online presence for all of the City’s retail businesses. To improve the site’s functionality, the City authorized a redesign that is expected to launch in January 2013. Improvements include a new visual design, a mobile version, an improved search function, and a blog.

December 2012 Business Activity

Now Open:

- Ivy Noodles (Rt. 1 & Hartwick Rd, Terrapin Station)
Locally-owned restaurant now open in the Terrapin Station shopping center in Downtown College Park. The authentic noodle house serves a variety of dishes, including seven different types of noodles, with all dishes priced under $9.

Business Closings:

- Boston Market (Rt. 1 & Knox Rd, College Park Shopping Center)

- Robeks (Rt. 1, north of 495 interchange, close to IKEA)

Coming Attractions:

Downtown:

- Ovo Asian
Expected to open late 2012 in Terrapin Station.

- Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill
Expected to open early 2013, former location of Boston Market in the College Park Shopping Center.  Chain restaurant, started in the Denver area in 2007. From their inception, the company’s goal has been to focus on fresh, healthy, quality foods using original, unique recipes.

- Unnamed Italian Restaurant (to be named later)
Going into Terrapin Station, expected to open spring 2013.

- Terrapin Turf
Going into the former Santa Fe Café space on Knox Road, now expected to open Spring 2013.  The oft-delayed opening was discussed in this Diamondback editorial.

Lower Midtown:

- Memphis Barbecue:
Going into the former location of Austin Grill Express.  With its original location in Crystal City, Memphis Barbeque plans to open a second location on the ground floor of The Varsity apartments in spring 2013.  Meats will be smoked over a live hickory wood-burning fire and menu items include ribs, brisket, chicken, and seafood.

- Newaabsaab Kabobs:
Mediterranean restaurant, now expected to open spring 2013. Sharing the same location as Rita’s Italian Ice (8900 Baltimore Ave)

- Denny’s
Expected to open summer 2013, located on Rt. 1 in former Varsity Grille building.  Covered by Patch.

Berwyn:

- Independent Coffee Shop (to be named later):
Expected to open summer 2013.  Located on Berwyn Rd, next door to Fishnet. To be operated by Fishnet owner.  Covered by Patch.

Hollywood:

- Johnny’s:
Chinese restaurant is now expected to open early 2013, in the Hollywood Shopping Center (by MOM’s & REI).

- Pollo a La Brasa:
Peruvian restaurant is now expected to open spring 2013, going into Hollywood Square (9925 Rhode Island Ave).

The City of College Park has released its bi-monthly newsletter covering local development news.  Highlights from the latest edition include:

Domain at College Park

Mowatt Lane & Campus Drive

Status: Under Construction

Mixed-use residential development will have 256 multi-family units and 9,061 square feet of retail space. The first units are expected to be ready for move-in by summer 2013 with all units completed by summer 2014.  Four tenants are close to signing leases to occupy 5,181 SF of the ground floor retail space: Subway, Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, Gateway Newstands, and Casey’s Coffee.

More details about the proposed retail businesses at the Domain can be found in this document.

Best Western

8419 Baltimore Avenue

Status: Under Construction

The Best Western project consists of a 50-room hotel with extended-stay suite facilities on the former site of the College Park Motel. Construction began late in 2011 and the estimated completion date is early 2013.

The Best Western hotel project was covered in this recent Diamondback article.

Maryland Book Exchange

7501 Baltimore Avenue

Status: Approved Detailed Site Plan

The property is 2.71 acres and is currently home to the Maryland Book Exchange. A new student housing development will add 287 units, with a maximum of 855 beds (originally proposed as 341 units and 1,010 beds). The ground floor will have 14,300 square feet of retail, including the relocated Maryland Book Exchange as the anchor.

The redevelopment of the Maryland Book Exchange received final approval from the Prince George’s County District Council earlier this month. The approval is a result of recent compromises with the City of College Park to reduce the height along Yale Avenue, among other items. The project now consists of a six-story building on Route 1 that steps down along College Avenue.

The next step will be the submission of construction drawings to obtain a building permit. Construction could begin in the first half of 2013.

This development will join The Enclave, Mazza Grandmarc, and The Varsity as the fourth privately built student housing project to open since 2010. Along with the University View I & II buildings, those three completed projects have brought 3,458 beds to the Route 1 Corridor since 2005. As of September 2012, the occupancy rate for these units was reported at 94% by the management teams.

Details about the final approval of the Maryland Book Exchange project can be found in this Gazette article from earlier this month.

Cafritz Property at Riverdale Park

Along the East Side of US Route 1 at College Park’s southern boundary

Status : Preliminary Subdivision Review

Envisioned as a multi-phase project on 37.55 acres of land in Riverdale Park, the development team requested rezoning the property from R-55 to Mixed-Use Town Center in 2011. A vote on the rezoning request was not taken until February 2012, where the County Planning Board approved by a 5-0 vote. After numerous public hearings in April and May, the County District Council voted 7-2 in favor of the rezoning application on July 9, 2012.

The developer’s next move was to submit a Preliminary Plan of Subdivision on July 27, which is scheduled to be heard by the County Planning Board on January 10, 2013.

The first phase proposes a Whole Foods Grocery store, over 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and 22,000 square feet of office space. The second phase proposes 995 residential units and a 120-room hotel.

A recap of the District Council’s approval of the Cafritz Project back in July can be found in this Gazette article.

University of Maryland – East Campus

SE Corner of Baltimore Avenue and Paint Branch Parkway

Status : Planned Project

The University of Maryland plans to redevelop 38 acres of land at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Paint Branch Parkway. Phase 1 of the project will occupy approximately 8 acres and is slated to include a 266-key conference hotel with 18,000 square feet of retail and a 700-space garage, two graduate student housing towers, and an additional 70,000 square feet of retail. There are also plans for a light rail station as part of the proposed Purple Line development. The University of Maryland is looking to begin construction in 2013.

This recent Diamondback article has the latest update about East Campus.

City’s marketing plan consultant idFive came to last week’s Council work session and presented four brand concept proposals and asked which, if any, of the those the City should pursue. idFive may solicit more opinions from other focus groups in the city to make a final decision.

For the past several months, idfive asked more than a hundred people in the course of its research. It was a diverse survey outreach effort that was as varied in form as it was in the types of people who responded to them. A sampling of respondents included current city residents, residents of nearby jurisdictions, City and County Councilmembers, neighborhood association representatives, State Senators and Delegates, local educators, small business owners, commercial developers, University of Maryland (UMD) faculty and staff, and many more.

Please see below the four brand concepts idFive presented to the Council.

A smart place to live

Small City, Big possibilities

Smart, Naturally

College Park, Maryland

Here’s the latest roundup from the Business Beat newsletter, published every two months by the City of College Park.

Upcoming Events:

College Park Day

The 3rd Annual College Park Day will be held next Saturday, October 27th at the College Park Community Center (5051 Pierce Avenue) from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Join your friends and neighbors at this free event featuring delicious food and entertainment.

General Announcements:

College Park Farmers Markets

Fall has arrived, but you still have a few more weeks to enjoy our local farmers markets. The Downtown Farmers Market at City Hall is enjoying a successful second year in operation and is open every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through November 18th. The market features Miller Farms as the primary vendor, as they offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Bill’s Backyard Barbeque serves delicious eats, including pulled pork, brisket and salmon. Additional vendors include Heavenly Created Desserts, and Bear’s Honeypot.

The College Park Farmers Market at Wells Ice Rink/Linson Swimming Pool is open every Saturday from 7:00 AM to noon through November. The market’s offerings include local produce, baked goods, flowers, and pottery.

For those needing fresh produce during the week, The Farmers Market at Maryland is open on Wednesdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM outside Cole Fieldhouse through November 14th. Offerings include local produce, baked goods, meat products, and eggs among other items.

 College Park Neighborhood Business Alliance News

Formed in an effort to bring local independent businesses together, CPNBA aims to promote College Park businesses and maintain a strong, local economy. CPNBA formally incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Maryland and joined the American Independent Business Alliance, which helps communities successfully operate local alliances and “buy local” campaigns. The group now includes the following members: Pongo Interactive, Cromwell & Company LLC, Wood’s Flowers and Gifts, Rising Sun Auto, Jerk Pit, Fishnet, College Park Car Wash, Everyday Quilts, Honey Glow, and The Bamboo Eater.

Like Shop College Park on Facebook

The College Park Economic Development staff regularly provides updates on business openings and closings, shop deals, news, and events on the Shop College Park Facebook page. To follow these updates please visit this link and “like” Shop College Park.

Continue reading →

Book Exchange Compromise

A compromise regarding the design of the proposed 431 unit Maryland Book Exchange project may be in the works. There will be a public presentation by the R&J Company at next Tuesdays City Council meeting to present a possible alternative for the structure.  As outlined in this previous post one of the main issues has to do with the step-back requirements  towards the residential zones surrounding the property. This very preliminary rendering of the possible redesign shows a step down from 6 levels near Route 1 down to 4 levels closer to Yale Avenue. This is certainly more in line with the Route 1 sector plan.

The Prince George’s County Planning board has already given the go ahead for the project despite the strong objections of the City Council. Therefore the developer could forge ahead with the existing plan however the City had planned an appeal which could drag on the process.

More details to come in the upcoming Council Session on October 9th.