[RP TownTalk] Town Center of Dreams

Tue Sep 11 11:57:13 UTC 2007

Well, it seems like we've got an essential split in terms of approaches 
(although everyone wants a vital commercial center): 1) Get (almost) any 
business in ASAP; or, 2) Wait a little while longer and try to attract more 
desirable or more established businesses. Seems like you can almost divide 
who follows which approach by how long they've been in town (with longtime 
residents prefering #1 and some of the newer residents prefering #2)--again, 
I said almost. Personally, I'm about in the middle of those two approaches. 
I think occupied buildings beat vacant ones, but I really would NOT care for 
a liquor store, a strip club, a check-cashing store, a porn shop, nor one of 
those stores that sells stuff seen on TV (I don't like anyone who might know 
me seeing me frequent these establishments, especially the latter, but hey, 
that's just me).

Bruce, my problem with saying let's protest, is that I didn't quite 
understand what you were going to protest or what you wanted as an outcome. 
You started to get at this below where you pointed to Jemal leasing at lower 
rates. I think in order to be effective, you've got to be concrete about 
what you want Jemal to do and you've got to make the case that it's 
something he hasn't been doing (which is why I asked if we have any clue 
whatsoever in terms of interest expressed in leasing space in the town 
center).

Let's look at College Park and EYA.

College Park: Estimated population ~27,000
Median income: $57.5K
Median house/condo value: $265.5K
http://www.city-data.com/city/College-Park-Maryland.html

Hyattsville: Estimated population ~15,000
Median income: $52K
Median house/condo value: $241.1K
http://www.city-data.com/city/Hyattsville-Maryland.html

Riverdale Park
Estimated population ~6,550
Median income: $50.5K
Median house/condo value: $243.9K
http://www.city-data.com/city/Riverdale-Park-Maryland.html

So the huge difference among the 3 towns is population and geography 
(College Park & Hyattsville being larger areas and having much bigger 
portions of Route 1 within their town limits), which play a big factor to 
businesses.

I realize your pride in Riverdale Park is behind your passionate arguments, 
but we seem to discussing all issues at once--in some we're in disagreement 
(I disagree that we should just protest Jemal--I think we should protest for 
something like lower lease rates or some other concrete outcome and I think 
we should be doing more to draw businesses to us; as you said, the town 
center has been vacant 20+ years--what was the problem before Jemal? it 
sounds like you're using him as a scape goat--I definitely think he's more 
of an obstacle, but he's certainly not the origin of the problem--I've been 
in town for 6 years and the town center currently looks better than I've 
ever seen it, although I no longer know where to go to see dead pigeons in 
storefront windows). Other issues we agree on: a new gas station is better 
than a derelict gas station.

I am in favor a two-pronged approach:
1) Pressure Jemal in the most productive way we can;
2) Market/advertise/promote Riverdale Park

-Marc
4801 Queensbury

From: "Bruce Wernek" <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com>
To: <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Town Center of Dreams
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:02:02 -0400

Jeff, Jay, Mark,

I don't agree.  We've been waiting for 20+ years.  How long is long enough.
Take a look at College Park.  They're 1 mile away.  Talk about density.
Consider EYA vs. Jeys Auto.  This dichotomy is a direct reflection on the
citizens of this Town.  We'd rather have a derelict gas station than a new
one.  I just don't get it.  It's absolutely nuts.  (If any of you don't
agree don't send an email until you take the time and look at our Town's
"Gateway" as Lou so succinctly put it.)

I would be happy if anyone occupied the spaces in the Town Center.  Then you
have tenants to draw the interest of the "Hi Brow" establishments.  Right
now there is nothing and nothing it will remain.  Jemal has to take the
first steps and lease at low prices, but why should he.  No one is giving
him any reason to.

Consider the following.  Take a new residential development project,
typically developers will sell the first units at a lower price to get
people in there so their condos/homes are occupied.  Then they ramp up the
prices as the project builds out.  The same is true for the Town Center or
any other commercial property, you get the first tenants in with low square
footage costs then up the anti as the spaces get leased.  Jemal knows all of
this.  He's been leasing property for years.  We keep holding out putting up
with vacant and derelict properties thinking that a Starbucks or Trader
Joe's is going to move in.  I'm sorry, but this is just not going to happen.
This is not Bethesda, this is Riverdale.  The types of tenants we will get
in the Town Center are all around us, along Kenilworth Ave, Rt 1, Decatur
St, etc.  You have to start somewhere.  The question is, are we ever going
to start.

Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: Yorkedial at aol.com [mailto:Yorkedial at aol.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 6:10 PM
To: JayRite at aol.com; bruce.wernek at mindspring.com;
towntalk at riverdale-park.org
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Town Center of Dreams

Are We Creating A Hot Zone or Just Grave Digging?

Jay Wright is Mr. Right in this case. Lowering the rent will get you just
that: "low rent businesses," and hence, all the joys that come with that.

While Mr. Jemal may be guilty of disappointing some folks, he has been
considerate enough not to fill his the space with low brow establishments --
dollar store, check cashing, nail salons, Asian carry-out fronted by
Plexiglas, etc. Nothing wrong with any of those business but they aren't
what Riverdale Park has been waiting for.

Perhaps Town Talkers could create a realistic wish list of businesses they
would want in the Town Center. Consider established, local businesses within
a 25-mile radius of RP that you like, use and would want in town. List only
one that you really would support (please focus) if it were across the
street from the S & J Restaurant. Once a list of solid contenders is
drafted, perhaps then the business development committee could pursue those
businesses with a consult with Doug Jemal. Let's go and grow from there.

But remember, no business operator is going to invest in a 20-year ghost
town if there is no sign of life. If your pledges of support are empty, so
are your stores.

Jeffrey Yorke
Natoli Place Apartments

In a message dated 9/10/2007 5:31:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
JayRite at aol.com writes:

If you're going to do that, you must focus.
We are all clearly disappointed that buildings have been vacant for 20+
years, (not sure how accurate that is as I've only been here for 10). But be
careful who you choose to do battle with. "Jemalville" is catchy, but
inaccurate as a target of our 20+ year angst.

Douglas Development did not acquire the properties that they own until as
recently as 2002-2003. [only 4-5 years ago, according to the The Maryland -
National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)]. I know we all have
had very high hopes that they would have turned those properties into
Shangrila, by now. But the fact of the matter is that they haven't yet, and
until the economy itself, generally turns to the better, probably won't
right away.

Can they lower the rent? Sure! But, I ask you, what kind of business will
that bring in? I'm sure if you put enough pressure on the developer they may
give in. But be careful what you wish for. We may end up with a Pawn Shop, a
check cashing place, laundry mat, etc...
You thought that vacant buildings were a nuisance, believe me, it can be
much worse. If vacancy means holding out for the things that we really want,
long term. I'm willing to wait a little while longer.

Apply pressure gently, and accurately.
Not advice, just an observation.
Jay Wright

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