[RP TownTalk] TownTalk Digest, Vol 10, Issue 39

Fri May 18 13:11:53 UTC 2007

Dannielle,
Thanks. Great ideas.
I'd like to learn more about these. I'll have to keep my eye open for an 
economic committee meeting.
I did similar projects to those you've mentioned, matching grants for facade 
repairs, street infrastructure, in Yonkers, NY that worked wonders for the 
areas targeted.
Brian

>From: Dannielle Glaros <dmglaros at gmail.com>
>To: "Brian Boettger" <brian_boettger at hotmail.com>
>CC: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
>Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] TownTalk Digest, Vol 10, Issue 39
>Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 20:54:47 -0400
>
>I'm not sure where things stand, but the town hired an economic  
>development consultant to assist us with Town Center.  She was  suppose to 
>be pulling together data so that we can attract specific  businesses.  
>Perhaps, we will hear an update from the town soon?
>
>I have no doubt a coffee shop would do well, especially if open in  the 
>morning.  For some reason,  I seem to run into a lot of DeMatha  parents 
>who know our town because they drive-thru town center on the  way to school 
>in the morning.  Seems like a good crowd to capture in  addition to the 
>rest of us who would like coffee anytime during the day.
>
>Riverdale Park has a lot of business potential.  The success of the  
>farmers' market is testament to the possibility.  There is interest  in new 
>development, which is a great sign, but the town could be  doing more to 
>support new businesses and market the town.  I know  town staffing is part 
>of the problem, but if a dedicated group of  volunteers banded together, 
>I'm sure things could happen.  Perhaps,  regular meetings of the town's 
>economic development committee would  be helpful?
>
>--One of the items the town could consider is giving a tax reduction  for a 
>certain number of years to the first 2-3 retail businesses to  open in town 
>center if they stay for x years.  The town may need to  add some more 
>qualifiers to this suggestion, but it has been used  successfully 
>elsewhere.  For new businesses, starting up this can  really make the 
>difference.
>--Another is a residential facade program.  Sprucing up the look of  the 
>town residences is key to attracting new development and some  people just 
>don't have the resources, but would love to fix up their  residences.
>--Making a list of specific businesses and recruiting them.  Great  
>businesses often times don't think of expanding until someone comes  and 
>recruits them.  I really believe our area is hot--whole foods is  
>interested in us, east campus will bring a lot of new high-end  retail, and 
>EYA is moving along.  We just need the supporting  evidence to make the 
>pitch.
>--Improving the look of our key corridors.  Hate to admit it, but a  lot of 
>people judge "a book by the cover."  Kenilworth Ave, 410, Rt 1  are not 
>pretty to look at--working/creating incentives for rehab of  commercial 
>properties, sidewalk improvements, even just cutting the  grass, banners on 
>light posts, and beautiful gardens in median strips  can make a difference. 
>  Some places offer matching grants for  businesses to improve their 
>signage or do facade improvements.
>
>Personally, I would be willing to spend my tax dollars on some of  these 
>items even defer some commercial tax income to jump start  redevelopment 
>and create the right atmosphere for development to  occur.  I think this 
>would be a worthwhile investment.  On a side  note, I also think enhanced 
>code enforcement, a police department,  and a quality public works 
>department are worth investing in.   Without these three, I know our town 
>would look a lot worse and crime  would be a lot worse than it is.
>
>
>
>Dannielle
>4800 Sheridan St
>
>Dannielle Glaros
>dmglaros at gmail.com
>
>
>
>On May 17, 2007, at 1:46 PM, Brian Boettger wrote:
>
>>Isn't Brookland in DC?
>>
>>I'd agree, the area does have similar amenities to RP but  politically I 
>>believe it is much different.
>>I maybe wrong, but I don't think DC has separate tax structures for  it's 
>>individual neighborhoods. It may for it's Wards, which in that  case it is 
>>in Ward 5 of the District which certainly does have many  large scale 
>>retail and business. Also, Catholic U is actually IN  it's taxable area. I 
>>don't see any part of the University of  Maryland in the Riverdale Park 
>>town limits, but please correct me  if I'm worng. So I don't think it is a 
>>fair comparison.
>>
>>Takoma Park may be a better comparison to make though I can't be  sure 
>>without some research. RP is kind of an anomoly as it is so  small and 
>>really doesn't incorporate a large business base to help  with the taxes 
>>as you have suggested. RP reminds me of the kind of  town you might find 
>>in California around Los Angeles with very  wealthy people that create 
>>bedroom communities. They are fine with  paying whatever for their taxes 
>>as it gives them control to keep an  undesired element out...Starbuck's 
>>in, Joe's Autobody out...
>>
>>I agree though, let's look at how to fill the holes. I've thought  the 
>>Town Center would be great for a cafe or coffee house  especially with the 
>>Dumm's development and the trails to connect to  College Park. It'll 
>>certainly be easier to get to than College Perk.
>>Brian
>>
>>>
>>>Have you ever been to Brookland?  I think I am comparing apples to  
>>>apples.
>>>There are no Starbucks, Borders, Subway, etc.  There are small  
>>>individual
>>>businesses.  Col. Brooks Tavern, locally owned. The Coffee Shop,  The Ice 
>>>Cream
>>>Parlor, The Antique Shop, The Hardware Store - all locally owned.   No 
>>>big chains
>>>there.  Oh, one I forgot about - there is a CVS.  So I think the  area 
>>>called
>>>Brookland is very similar to Riverdale Park.  They have Catholic  U.  we 
>>>have
>>>Maryland U.  They have Brookland Metro - we have Hyattsville and  College 
>>>Park.
>>>They have Brooks Mansion - we Have Calvert/Riversdale.  How much  closer 
>>>can I
>>>get to a comparison?
>>>Audrey
>>>
>>>
>>
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