[RP TownTalk] Wachovia Project

[Heather Blanchard]

The Wachovia site, while great to get on the tax rolls, is not the 
appropriate development for that corner. Nor  is it remotely related to 
how Riverdale wants to develop according to the MUTC plan. Creating pad 
site development like you see with the McDonalds, and the other banks 
is not the development that is appropriate for the dense space that is 
there. There is a concept called liveable/walkable communities, similar 
to EYA's plans where they create a walkabout community development. 
Creating "one - off" development will create Riverdale into a big strip 
mall and will not be community oriented, which is the basis of having a 
MUTC plan in the first place.

That corner, you could say, is one of the most valuable and most 
importantly, visible pieces of RP land. Thousands of people drive by it 
a day. If you believe for the next 20 years a bank would be best at the 
corner and that best represents this town, then there you have it.

However, it is my opinion, as a historic district, that property should 
be returned back to its original state (or close to it). See below. 
This should be the basis of redevelopment on that corner, not turning 
that place into a car-focused isolated property. Rather is should be in 
line with the character of the properties around it and be focused on 
it building as part of a walkable community.

Hyattsville had many developers wanting the Lustine property, they did 
not select the first concept that was given to them. I am dismayed at 
the lack of commitment to making sure that this property is developed 
in the right direction, not in a direction that is "Good for Now."

Thursday is the last chance for citizens to tell PG County - NO - on 
this development. I would love to see alot of you there to voice your 
concerns that Riverdale Park should be a walkable community, not filled 
with drive-thrus.

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On Jun 13, 2007, at 4:13 PM, regina at kreger.net wrote:

> Sure, Lou -- but once the Wachovia is approved and built it's a long-
> term commitment.  If we thought we could toss them out once other, more
> attractive developments are completed, then sure, whatever. It's a
> quick buck but in my opinion, not worth the long-term compromise.
>
> ----Original Message----
> From: lking at knob.com
> Date: Jun 13, 2007 13:50
> To: "TownTalk"<TownTalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Subj: Re: [RP TownTalk] Wachovia Project
>
> Just a question for all those that appose the Wachovia Bank and those
> that were asking about the tax rate. And those that were pipe
> dreaming
> about fancy grocery stores (like on P St) that have no interest in
> this
> area because of demographics.
>
>  From a logical point of view, I assume you are not in more than one
> of
> these groups (OK so the bank and the grocery would be nice).  Here is
> the Rt 1/East-West Hw corner, 3-4 years into the process and Wachovia
> close to building a structure, if approved, and providing revenue to
> the
> town SOON!  This bank building could replace the long lamented, on
> this
> forum, loss of the revenue from the space at "M" Square (or where
> ever
> it was).
>
> New fancy stores on the area between RP and CP are nice: they are not
> in
> our back yard, we get the revenue, and they are down the road so we
> can
> talk about the for years.
>
> The Wachovia project is here and almost now. How is your tax rate
> next
> year? How are your street being paid for? how is your police
> protection?
> How's paying for the town staff to do nice things like promote the
> town
> an try to attract those coffee ships and farmer's markets,
> bike/hiking
> trails ...
>
> Lou King
>
> Vernon Archer wrote:
>> Dear Friends and Neighbors,
>>
>> I would like to share some information on the Wachovia Bank
> proposal
>> for East-West and Baltimore Avenue.
>>
>
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