West Campus Station Could Improve Pedestrian Safety, Revitalize Neighborhood, Officials Say

Residents gathered Wednesday evening to share their concerns and ideas for the proposed West Campus Station, and they learned about a nearby apartment complex that could be complete by summer 2013.

The combination of this these two developments, along with the University of Maryland future master plan could lead to revitalization and “interesting opportunities” in the area, said Dannielle Glaros, a representative from District 3 County Councilman Eric Olson’s office.

The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile light rail that will run from New Carrollton to Bethesda, with three stops in College Park.

The West Campus Station would sit on Campus Drive in College Park in front of the UMUC/Inn and Conference Center, and would be anchored by the five-way intersection between University Boulevard, Adelphi Road and Campus Drive.

It is precisely this intersection that concerns some residents.

“To cross from Graduate Gardens to Campus Drive over Adelphi is a nightmare,” said Hyattsville resident and Councilman Tim Hunt (Ward 3).

Hunt regularly walks with his 3-year-old from their home in College Heights Estates to a nursery school located on Campus Drive. He also has concerns about the poor sidewalks on that street.

“Having that area safely walkable from all directions is the biggest issue,” Hunt said.

Residents at the meeting said because of the unsafe pedestrian conditions near the intersection, they use a series of paths through wooded areas to make their way to the UMd. campus so they can bypass the location altogether.

“I think as the Purple Line comes in we can really improve pedestrian paths,” Glaros said.

Residents’ suggestions included widening and improving sidewalks, improving existing bike and pedestrian paths, adding a taxi stand and providing ample bike storage.

Glaros also shared with meeting participants that sometime next month, ground will break on a new market-rate multifamily dwelling near the proposed station, at the corner of Campus Drive and Mowatt Lane.

The new development, Dominion, will have approximately 200 apartments and some ground level retail and is slated to open in July 2013, Glaros said.

Since there is no parking at the stations, Glaros agreed with residents that making that area more pedestrian friendly will be essential to the success of the West Campus Station.

“If we are really going to see the revitalization of this area, we need to look at bike access and pedestrian access,” she said.

The Phase 3 West Campus Station TOD study will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the , 6530 Adelphi Road.