For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Contact:
Angela Rouson
301.952.7484
CouncilMedia@co.pg.md.us
Council member Deni Taveras hosts
Northern Gateway Networking Breakfast
Community Event Focused on Economic Revitalization in Northern Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County Council Member Deni Taveras (D) – District 2, joined residents and stakeholders for a Northern Gateway Networking Breakfast on Thursday, December 15, at Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center in Hyattsville, Maryland.
During the event, Council Member Taveras shared her vision for revitalization of the Northern Gateway. She discussed Council Resolution 90-2016, legislation establishing the gateway. Representatives from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Neighborhood Design Center and the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority provided presentations. Residents were offered an opportunity to ask questions, and share thoughts and ideas concerning ways to revitalize the gateway.
“The Northern Gateway is potentially a strong emerging market for business development but it is underdeveloped in terms of public infrastructure and community development,” said Council Member Taveras. “The networking breakfast was held to begin the process of identifying some of the economic revitalization efforts in the Northern Gateway that will ultimately benefit our diverse residents, local businesses, and strategic relations with neighboring jurisdictions.”
During the final Council session for Legislative Year 2016, the Council unanimously enacted CR-90-2016. Garnering the support of civic associations, non-profit organizations, and the business sector, the legislation sponsored by Council Member Taveras designates an area of unincorporated land in northern Prince George’s County as the Prince George’s County Northern Gateway.
Thunder Williams, Vice President of the Lewisdale Civic Association, commended CR-90. “It provides a transformative opportunity for economic investment, community cohesiveness, and a celebration of the strengths of the existing neighborhoods in the area.”
“CR-90 allows vulnerable families in Langley Park and surrounding areas, county agencies, community organizations, and the private sector to come together as the Northern Gateway district to enhance the quality of life and expand economic opportunities. For that reason, CASA strongly supports CR-90-2016,” said Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA, an organization with several long-standing initiatives to improve the quality of life of communities in the Northern Gateway.
From the business and economic development perspective, Melanie Isis of the Takoma/Langley CDA also showed support for the resolution. “Much of District 2 suffers from lack of investment and economic development despite the promising market dynamics of high demand, moderate incomes and strategic location. Already prospering nearby are the Gateway Arts District, West Hyattsville Transit District, Prince George’s Plaza Transit District as models of redevelopment. The densely populated areas between these districts are sorely in need of investment to ensure public safety and enhance quality of life challenges for the largely immigrant population.”
The Neighborhood Design Center, which has worked in several communities in the proposed Northern Gateway, provided further testimony in support of the effort. “We have seen first-hand both the need and potential for economic redevelopment and community bridging. The proposed area consists of long-time Prince George’s County residents as well as newcomers to the region. An opportunity presents itself to revitalize existing commercial corridors and to catalyze civic engagement through the bridging act of connecting strong communities with a unique identity.”
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All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council. The County Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy. The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro. For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov.