Okay, I'll take the bait . . .

I did attend the session on the 2nd and part of the session on the 7th.
I think it is important to remember that the entire parcel is zoned for
single-family detached housing. I am not yet convinced that it is the
right location for a destination retailer like Whole Foods and other
quality retail or restaurants. Whole Foods is also interested in the
East Campus site at the intersection of Baltimore Ave. and Paint Branch
Parkway, which is zoned for mixed-use and in the heart of College Park.
I think that is a better location for the retail, and I heard via a
contact at the university that Whole Foods prefers the East Campus
location.

I want to make sure our downtown area along Baltimore Ave., the Riverdale
Park town center, and University Town Center doesn't suffer because we
create another "town center" that would have some competetive advantages.
It is difficult to attract quality retail / restaurants at the existing
centers.

It is great that Cafritz is holding the meetings and residents in the
surrounding areas can examine the pros and cons regionally of different
types of development on this site, and I look forward to seeing more
definitive proposals.

Bill


Quoting Dwight Holmes <dwightrholmes@...>:

> so did any HOPIES attend either of the Cafritz Property "community
> workshops" at Riverdale Elementary? (I did see Hyattsville Mayor Gardiner at
> the first session on June 2). would love to hear your reaction!
>
> pls note this quote from from Rethinking College Park:
>
> "The Business and Retail arm of the resource team stated that Whole Foods
> Mid-Atlantic President Ken Meyer has seen the Cafritz Property and said he
> would like to put a store there. The company is waiting on plans for the
> development in order to move forward. Fall is a reasonable time to expect a
> more definitive position from Whole Foods as to whether or not it will place
> a grocery store on the Cafritz Property."
>
> http://rethinkcollegepark.net/blog/2007/409/
>
> more thoughts from me & others at:
>
> Riverdale Park Coffee House (blog only-BYOC)
> http://rpcoffeehouse.blogspot.com/
>