From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Monday, September 30, 2013

OPEN SPACE IN DANGER -- Thank you Delegate Niemann

A Bad Idea

Proposed Shopping Center and Road at University of Maryland Golf Course Makes No Sense

The University of Maryland and a well-connected developer are teaming up on a plan that could have serious consequences for our neighborhoods.

Although officially arriving as an “unsolicited proposal” from the developer, top officials of the University of Maryland have been promoting the idea of a big-box, multi-use development to be built on the grounds of the university’s golf course at the intersection of University Blvd (Route 193) and Adelphi Road.

A key part of the proposal is to extend Interstate 95 from the Beltway to the new development on the golf course. It is suspected that this is the real reason the university is interested in the proposal. It would provide the direct access to Byrd Stadium, Comcast Arena and other university facilities they have long wanted. It would also channel thousands of commuters every day onto Adelphi Road, University Road, Metzerott Road and Queens Chapel Road – while doing little to relief congestion elsewhere.

The proposal fails on every front:

· It would replace critical open space with one more sprawling shopping center. The state and the university have invested millions into upgrading the golf course and making it an environmental leader. This would be thrown away.

· The proposed road would channel commuter traffic onto local roads. This is contrary to our official policy of fostering smart growth and encouraging transit-oriented development. The City of College Park, working with the university, county and state, is making headway on reducing Route 1 traffic congestion. This would also undermine those efforts.

· There is no shortage of comparable shopping options in the area. College Park, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, Laurel and other nearby areas already have many of the businesses this development would presumably attract. If there is a need for more, there are plenty of other sites where growth can occur without the negative impacts. In fact, the City of College Park reports that there are 17 projects already planned for the area.

· The proposal was developed in secret and is being promoted in the backrooms. Because it would be on land owned by the university, it would not be subject to the same county review and comment that other developments have to undergo. This is a bad precedent that will circumvent processes designed to ensure that new development causes no harm.

The proposal has big backers. In addition to its well-connected developers, the university's president has been working behind the scenes to build support.

The Maryland Golf Course Coalition has also been formed by alumni, friends of the golf course and others in opposition. They have a very useful website that has information on what is going on and what you can do to help. Check it out at: www.saveumdgolfcourse.com

What Can You Do?

Contact the key decision-makers and tell them what a bad idea this is.

· Dr. Wallace Loh, President, University of Maryland, 3300 Metzerott Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783 – wdloh@umd.edu

· Dr. William Kirwan, Chancellor, University of Maryland System, 3300 Metzerott Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783 –bkirwan@umd.edu

· Gov. Martin O’Malley, State Capitol, Annapolis, MD 21401 -http://www.gov.state.md.us/mail/

· State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, 80 Calvert St, Annapolis, MD 21401 – treasurer@treasurer.state.md.us

· State Comptroller Peter Franchot, 80 Calvert St, Annapolis, MD 21401 - pfranchot@comp.state.md.us

· County Executive Rushern Baker, County Administration Building, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 – rlbaker@co.pg.md.us

If you want more information, drop me a line atdoyleniemann@verizon.net or call me at 240-606-1298.

Delegate Doyle Niemann
Our mailing address is:

Friends of Doyle Niemann

P.O. Box 51

Mt. Rainier, MD 20712

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.