[RP TownTalk] Vacant Bldgs/Town Center etc.

[Lou King]

Sometime ago someone suggested that I go down to the "Gateway" to 
Riverdale and see what is going on.  Well I did. It has been a while 
sense I have headed towards DC on Rt 1.

I see that Hyattsville is moving along on getting their revitalization 
underway. I think the old Listeen (sp) showroom will be a neat old 
building along Rt 1.  It sure stands out now! A cross the street is what 
looks like the construction stagging area and then we get to Riverdale.  
Don't know which side of the city line the old Binning Dodge dealer was 
on but it is obvious where the construction will stop and where 
Riverdale starts.

For those that want a "Jay's gas station":  That would make 3 gas 
stations on Rt1 between Cleveland Ave and Queensbury Rd. There would be 
"Jay's" on the east side of Rt 1, one on the west next to the 7-11(is it 
open?) and again on the east side, the EXXON at Queensbury. I'm not sure 
I vote for that.  Not to be a snob, but gas stations do seem to be in an 
identifiable economic area in most towns.  There are exceptions but the 
ones I have seen seems to be larger with landscaping and well maintained.

Those that think "low rent" is the way to go for  town center should 
look at Riverdale Rt 1 between Cleveland and Oliver or Riverdale Rd.  
Now here is a section of town that doesn't want for foot/drive by 
traffic.  As trashy as the 7-11 and that gas station look, the 7-11 
parking lot is full. Its on the wrong side of Rt 1 for afternoon 
traffic.  Don't know how the Sub shop has stayed open, no more people 
there this afternoon than I ever remember seeing.  As for the section 
between Oglethorpe and Cleveland well there you are.  I don't think that 
is "our" general vision for Town Center which could look the same Minus 
the traffic.

Speaking of traffic have I not been listening when people on Cleveland 
Ave complain about cut through traffic?  I was sitting at that traffic 
light waiting to get back on Rt 1.  I though I was going to get hit 
(sure got glared at) by people turning off of Rt 1, around me and 
heading up Cleveland Ave.

Moving up (north) to Rt 1 and 410.  I think it is safe to say that 
Roland and I see what has happened here differently.  In part my view 
(memory) may be clouded by what I wanted in my backyard.  As an example 
I seem to remember Gearld K. with his ruler out measuring parking spaces 
around the bank building.  Lots of discussion about shared use of 
parking behind the Rt 1 "strip" and how much of the park was going to be 
given away to get the required number of spots.  Yes, I may have sounded 
a bit like Bruce at that point. Not really but leaning closer to 
'anything' is better than nothing. 

At that time, others quoted the saw about 'the good being the enemy of 
the best.'  Maybe that applies now also to the Gateway lot on Rt 1, and 
in Town Center.

It also seems to me that the part of town that is about to change is Rt 
1 north of Cleveland Ave.  If, no when Hyattsville fills Rt1 with 
$300K-$500K townhouses they are not coming north to Riverdale for whats 
there now! Lets not fight the trend. Now if someone can figure out how 
to get then to come up Cleveland to Town Center... Considering what 
their payments will be maybe those folks from Hyattsville will be able 
to use a Pawn Shop or a check cashing scam (just joking really).

lou