PG County Real Estate

Zoning is often a sleep-inducing subject for most people – until it affects them. That’s when people begin to lose sleep! Capitol Heights residents recently took aim at revitalization plans for their city in a recent public hearing. They worry that the proposed development could disrupt city life!

In 2008, $45,000 was provided to the town as a community legacy grant from the State of Maryland to complete the Town of Capitol Heights Community Legacy Revitalization Plan and chart out the future economic and residential development for the area.

To create the plan the town hired Green, McDaniel and Associates, LLC, a community planning firm. The firm was to complete renderings and hold several community meetings to gather input from the residents on their ideas for the revitalization plan. The finished plan aims to develop an “economic engine” in the city, according to the firm’s president, David Green.

They came up with several recommendations for the revitalization plan, including:

• Creating a mixed use development around the Capitol Heights Metro station. An example of a mixed use development would be residential accommodations over retail stores.
• Give office space to local universities so that it can be used for workforce development classes for residents.
• Redevelop Old Central Ave., the town’s main street as a commercial strip to keep shopping dollars in the city.
• Make Walker Mill Industrial Park a target for small businesses and “green” jobs.

Councilwoman Marnitta L. King worries that if more of the town is zoned commercially, residents would not be able to rebuild in case of a fire or other disaster. If more high density housing is developed, residential streets might become de-facto with an overflow of parking lots. Besides, residents might not like suddenly being in the midst of towering apartment buildings.

Residents concede that providing additional training to people is fine, but there are no commitments that jobs will stay within the city and may still end up going to more qualified candidates from outside town. Green responded that while he was unable to guarantee jobs for those who were retrained, he wanted to create an environment of opportunity using workforce development.

Residents are also concerned about increasing development around the Capitol Heights Metro station. There also are concerns about what will happen to existing housing areas.

Councilman Kito James indicated that the council was scheduled to vote on the plan on April 12. However, he noted that he had some personal concerns with the current plan and felt it should be revised and voted on again in May.

Regardless of how things shape up, Capitol Heights is convenient to DC and offers affordable homes for growing families.  Express Realty Services can find you a great affordable home in Capitol Heights. As the #1 Keller-Williams franchise, we are prepared to help you buy (or sell) a home quickly. Please contact us at 888-306-9450 or visit our website to chat with a representative about how to get started.

Will Prince Georges County be the first county in Maryland to offer casino type table games such as blackjack, poker and baccarat?

 If State Senate President Mike Miller has his way, Rosecroft Raceway will receive a commercial license to build a casino, costing the state a whooping $51 million for renovations at the track and another $30 million to build the casino.
Miller, who represents Prince Georges County and Calvert counties and whose family built Rosecroft back in the 1940’s, claims that the facility would not be a full-fledged casino, but just a card game that would increase county and state revenues and be in line with how people want to spend their entertainment dollars.  Bill co-sponsor State Senator C. Anthony Muse, also of Prince Georges County, noted that 62% of county residents have voted for gambling ventures such as slot machines.  So far, none of the 15,000 slot machines approved by state residents in 2007 are in Prince Georges County due to opposition from county lawmakers.  Jack B. Johnson, Prince Georges County Executive, is reviewing the current bill.
Muse says that the bill would boost local employment, by not only saving 200 jobs that are already employed at Rosecroft, but also increasing that number by another 400. The Innovation Group, which prepared the proposal for the casino, estimates that between its proposed opening date in 2012 to 2015, the casino would generate up to 1,500 jobs and bring in gross revenues of around $257-291 million. Even before the bill has been passed, many legislators are interested in expanding the concept to other parts of the state, given the great revenue potential for cash-strapped Maryland.
Should the bill pass and should count officials in Prince Georges County agree to implement it? The combination of jobs and money could help support other county efforts to improve and/or maintain the type of services that attract potential homeowners.  Another effort to permit charity poker games has been championed by 37 volunteer fire companies who provide volunteers to assist the county in emergencies.  These companies provide their own trucks and equipment and would benefit from fundraising efforts.  A vote on this issue, scheduled for March 12th, has been postponed as legislators ponder the greater question of whether any type of approved gambling would set a “dangerous precedent.”
Regardless of the voting consequences, choosing to settle in Prince Georges County is a good bet.  The county not only has a good proximity to the District along with employment opportunities for more people, but also offers value priced housing. Express Realty Services can open your eyes to the hidden treasures of Prince Georges County, as well as other areas of MD, VA, and DC.