Pr. George's Searches for County's Downtown

By Kirsten Petersen

Prince George’s County Planning Department officials enlisted the help of residents last Saturday as they envisioned where people could live, work and play in 22 years, The Gazette reported.

Plan Prince George’s County 2035, the county’s new master plan, is exploring six Metro stations as potential downtown centers: College Park, Prince George’s Plaza, New Carrollton, Largo, Branch Avenue and Greenbelt.

The Gazette reported that the top contenders—what planning officials call “high performers”—include College Park, Prince George’s Plaza, and New Carrollton. These areas currently have the greatest economic and market potential based on the services in the area, such as transportation, business, and education.

The other three stations are considered “game changers,” meaning that outside planning projects could improve their prospects as downtown areas, the Gazette reported.

For example, Largo may be selected for further consideration if a $600 million health care center is built near the station, the Gazette reported. If the FBI headquarters moves to Greenbelt, it may become a top choice, the newspaper reported.

Approximately 400 people shared their ideas and suggestions with planning representatives at the town meeting, which took place at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Gazette reported.

The areas selected for final consideration will be announced as part of the initial project draft in September. The planning department will have a joint public hearing on the master plan in the fall, followed by a planning board adoption and a district council work session in the winter, according to the project’s website.