Despite Residents’ Concerns, Some Students Approve of Cafritz Project

Days before what could be the final Prince George’s County District Council hearing devoted to the rezoning of the Cafritz property, students and residents of College Park reflect on the potential positives and negatives of the project, in The Diamondback.

The Cafritz family seeks to have its approximately 37-acre parcel on the north end of Riverdale Park rezoned from single-family detached residential (R-55) to mixed-use town center (M-UTC), easing the way for the construction of more than 900 units of housing, a 35,000-square foot Whole Foods, a 120-room hotel, and additional office and retail space. The location of the property is just south of the Calvert Hills neighborhood in College Park.

“Traffic is just going to be overwhelming,” College Park resident Kathy Bryant told The Diamondback, echoing the concerns of many that the project will worsen the traffic on U.S. Route 1.

But The Diamondback cites students who say the development could be a positive project for the area, including senior Drew Carroll.

“This will bring more businesses to the area and it will give students more options on where to shop,” he said.

Some have said they’re concerned that the Cafritz project could stifle success of the future in College Park, which will build retail, housing and a hotel at U.S. Route 1 and Paint Branch Parkway. But College Park’s economic development coordinator told The Diamondback that from an economic perspective, both projects would benefit the area.

Read the full Diamondback story here.

The hearing is set to continue Friday at 10 a.m. Follow College Park Patch for live updates.

What do you see as the main positives and negatives of the Cafritz project? Do the positives outweigh the negatives? Tell us in the comments, and let us know whether you're a resident or student.