Community Development

New Neighbors Home Ownership Assistance Program

Provides $7,500 grants to households/individuals to purchase properties within the corporate limits of College Park.  Applicants must agree to live in the property as their primary residence for a minimum of 5 years. The program’s intent is two-fold:

1)     To encourage home ownership through the conversion of previously rented single- family homes to owner-occupied status; and

2)     To assist certified police officers and city employees to become homeowners

Pattern Book for College Park Neighborhoods

The project is intended to provide guidance to property owners who are planning exterior home improvements.  The pattern book would include a separate section for each city neighborhood, offering recommendations for replacement of doors, windows and roofs as well as installation of porches, fences, etc.  Currently, the project is in the concept stage.

College Park Trolley Trail

The project’s intent is to provide a bicycle/pedestrian trail running the entire length of the City in the old trolley right-of-way.  Three segments of the trail are complete.  The northern segment from Paducah Road to Greenbelt Road is on-road and intended primarily for bicyclists.  The segments from Greenbelt Road to Paint Branch Parkway and from Calvert Road to Albion Road are off-road and accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.  The segment between Paint Branch Parkway and Calvert Road is currently in the planning stage.

Skateboard Park

Funding has been received from Prince George’s County in the amount of $250,000 to develop a skateboard facility at the M-NCPPC Sunnyside Neighborhood Park.  Planning staff is working with the County’s Department of Recreation to solicit input from neighborhood residents before proceeding to design and construction.  The project is in its initial planning stage.

Renovation of Duvall Field

Planning staff worked closely with city residents, the Recreation Board, Boys and Girls Club, and the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a concept plan for the renovation of Duvall Field.  The City continues to work with field users and the community and has hired a consultant to take the concept plan to next phase with the preparation of final design and engineering plans.  The phased improvements to the City-owned park facility will address deferred maintenance, field rejuvenation, seating, lighting, parking and other amenities.  Funding has been secured from Program Open Space and a Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Community Parks and Playgrounds Program grant.

Walking Tour Brochures

A brochure has been prepared highlighting the architecture of the City’s Calvert Hills and Old Town neighborhoods, in an effort to encourage tourism. The brochure identifies noteworthy properties that exemplify distinct architectural styles and periods, along with properties that have been individually listed on the National Register and the County’s Historic Sites and Districts Plan.  The brochure has been designed and is currently being printed.

Route 1 Improvements

Planning staff, city residents and businesses have worked closely with the Maryland State Highway Administration to develop a plan for the reconstruction of Baltimore Avenue from College Avenue north to the Capital Beltway.  The plan is complete and funding is needed for design and construction.  As redevelopment occurs along the corridor, the City plans to require developers to implement the proposed streetscape, until the full project receives funding.  In the downtown area, new pedestrian streetlights have been installed from Guilford Road to Knox Road with funding from Prince George’s County (CDBG) and the State of Maryland (Community Legacy).

Downtown Parking Garage and Redevelopment Project

The proposed project includes the sale of the City Hall property for a mixed-use development, relocation of City Hall to the Calvert Road School site and construction of a downtown public parking garage.   The City has entered into a preliminary development agreement with Capstone Development Corporation.  Market studies are underway for the mixed-use development.  A preliminary design has been prepared for the parking garage, to be located on the southwest corner of Knox Road and Yale Avenue.

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