Mount Rainier Arts Commission meeting 2/10/20

The Mount Rainier Arts Commission (MRAC) is meeting tonight at 7pm at City Hall to discuss the three finalists for the MRAC's first public art project - a mural on the 3300 block of Route 1. The meeting will also cover internal administration issues, the MRAC's future meeting schedule, and future partnerships with entities in the community. 

All are welcome to attend! 

Please contact the MRAC's chair, Alex Kozen, at ackozen@gmail.com with any questions.

Community Meeting on Peace Park Project

 Mount Rainier and Little Friends for Peace invite you to a neighborhood meeting to give input on a Peace Park project for Spring Park on January 6, 2020. 

Date: January 6, 2020

Time: 7-8:30pm

Venue: St. John’s Church located at the intersection of 34^th Street between Shepherd and Rainier Ave. (301) 927-1156

This location is one block from the park to maximize attendance of those who live closest to the park.

Located at the corner of 33^rd St. and Shepherd, Spring Park has been a little used space since it was gifted to the city in the early 1900s. This is also the site of the city’s historic spring from which many residents used to get water until the mid 1900s.   

The City Council approved entering into a partnership with Little Friends for Peace to activate this space for the community. 

We are proud to announce that our partnership has received a sum of $50,000 from the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority towards creating a Peace Park at this location.  The University of Maryland’s Landscape Architecture Program will be designing the project and will be present at the meeting to hear community input. This is the same group that has received community input and re-designed Memorial Park and its environs on Rhode Island Avenue.

Next community meeting is TBA in February 2020.

Contact: Shivali Shah Shivali(at)ShivaliShah(dot)com and MJ Park(MJPeace(at)Gmail(dot)com)

Trolley Trail Day

A host of community development groups, local governments and non-profits invites the community to join them for a day of fun walks, bike rides and visits to local businesses along the trolley trail connecting College Park, Riverdale an the City of Hyattsville.

Cross posted from:

https://hycdc.org/save-the-date-participate-and-support-trolley-trail-day/

Public Meeting Mount Rainer Mixed-Use Town Center (MUTC) Design Review Committee

Public Meeting Mount Rainer Mixed-Use Town Center (MUTC) Design Review Committee  

City Hall

1 Municipal Place

Mount Rainier, MD 20712 

Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Agenda

Highlights:

No new applications for town center signage or facades.

Pre-application discussion with Memorial Park redesign team.

Coordination with Code Enforcement on signage / facades.

About MUTC

495-270 Expansion Public Meeting near Mount Rainier

I'm writing to call your attention to an upcoming series of meetings on the badly misguided proposal to invest billions of dollars in widening I-270 and I-495. This is a huge diversion of resources from communities needing reinvestment that creates additional equity problems by incentivizing and subsidizing driving, which many people cannot afford, instead of prioritizing projects that serve people instead of automobiles. Oh, and building. new. highway. lanes. does. not. reduce. traffic.  

I encourage you to speak out against this boondoggle. In their haste to build new highways, MDOT has already dropped the transit alternatives and is moving forward with only options that add lanes:

MDOT SHA recommends Alternatives 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13B, and 13C be carried forward for further analysis and environmental evaluation. All alternatives, other than the No Build, include managed lanes, either High Occupancy Toll Lanes also known as HOT lanes or Express Toll Lanes also known as ETLs, combine congestion pricing and lane management to control the number of vehicles entering the lane to keep traffic flowing. Link: Screened Alternatives

Thursday, April 11, 2019

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Prince George’s Sports
and Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Rd
Landover, MD 20785

The Kaywood Theater Feasibility Study will be Presented by OTJ Architects (formerly Martinez + Johnson) & Kaywood Theater Project Team.

The Kaywood Theater Feasibility Study will be Presented by OTJ Architects (formerly Martinez + Johnson) & Kaywood Theater Project Team.

***Revised Date*** 

*****Monday, March 11, 2019****

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

At Joe’s Movement Emporium 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mount Rainier, MD 20712

Light Refreshments Provided

Join us and learn about the design and function possibilities for the Kaywood Theater.

PLANNING BOARD BUDGET FORUM - October 1

Passing this on to Mount Rainer folks...

PLANNING BOARD BUDGET FORUM

The Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has scheduled two public forums this fall to solicit comments on the Commission’s budget for planning, parks, and recreation in Prince George’s County for the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2019.

Monday, October 1, 7pm-9pm. Department of Parks and Recreation Administration Building – Auditorium 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale. Tuesday, October 2, 7pm-9pm. Harmony Hall Regional Center – John Addison Concert Hall. 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington.

Individuals and representatives of community organizations who wish to speak at the public forum may register in advance online at www.pgplanningboard.org or by calling 301-952-4584, TTY 301-952-4366. Written comments will also be accepted until the close of business on Tuesday, October 16. Comments may be addressed to: Elizabeht M. Hewlett, Chairman, Prince George’s County Planning Board, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Comments may also be faxed to Chairman Hewlett at 301-952-5074 or via email to Public Affairs@ppd.mncppc.org

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. For special assistance (ie: large print materials, assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc) call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-4584

PGC Zoning Ordinance Rewrite

Just a reminder that Prince George's County is rewriting the Zoning Ordinance for the first time in 50 years. This is a good thing! The new plan will make it a lot easier to get the kind of redevelopment we want and need in older communities like Mount Rainier.

The County Council reconvenes on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 and will begin considering the bills that together make-up the legislation needed to enact the zoning rewrite. The Council must wrap up its business 30 days from the November 6, 2018 election, leaving only about five weeks to get the Zoning Ordinance amended and passed. Resident voices will be needed to get the rewrite over the finish line, so I encourage you to tune in!

Keep up with the progress of the new plan at the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Portal.

Singer Flats Sneak Preview November 16

FYI, a look at the long awaited revitalization of the 3300 block of Rhode Island Ave in Mount Rainier

SINGER FLATS SNEAK PREVIEW

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH 7:00 PM

3300 RHODE ISLAND AVE MOUNT RAINIER, MD, 20712

The Menkiti Group welcomes our nearby neighbors for a sneak preview of the residential units at Singer Flats. We will meet for a brief tour of the first floor commercial space at 3300 Rhode Island Ave followed by a visit to our model residential apartment unit on the 2nd floor.

SingerBuilding.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: MARK@MENKITIGROUP.COM OR 202.285.8842

How to (re)build downtown?

Smart Growth America just released an interesting new guidebook, (Re)Building Downtown: A Guidebook for Revitalization, "a resource for local elected officials who want to re-invigorate and strengthen neighborhood centers of economy, culture, and history through a smart growth approach to development."

I have a long-standing interest in figuring out how to revitalize small, primarily neighborhood-serving commercial areas. As a general rule, retail development lags residential development - but why do some communities turn around their commercial districts faster than others? What, if anything, can local officials and community members do to help?

Not standing for re-election

Citizens of Ward 2, and all of the city,

Today I am announcing that I do not intend to run for re-election in the May 2015 city council election. As you know, city council is a part-time position and the majority of us have other careers. I just accepted a new position as regional director at a national non-profit, so the timing is right to put my focus into that. 

Serving the citizens of Mount Rainier has been my privilege, and for that reason it is hard to step back. But I will continue to be an advocate for this city and its citizens. At this time of transition, we need to focus on the things that make Mount Rainier great - our diversity, our working class roots, our sense of community, and our shared vision of the future. We can and should look for new development that improves our tax base and brings in much needed retail and services, but we must not do so at the expense of this community's soul. I hope you will join me in being vocal about preserving our community's personality as well as it's character, because I know that together we can build an inclusive, more financially stable Mount Rainier. After four years I can tell you that the council doesn't hear from the community nearly enough.

I want to thank all of the people that do give their time, energy, and love to Mount Rainier, and in particular those who volunteer on city committees. You are not recognized enough for the work you do on behalf of this city. Thank you to the members of the Mixed Use Town Center Committee and the Green Team that I have been fortunate enough to work with over the last 4 years.

I am very proud of everything we have accomplished in the last 4 years:

Public safety improvements including pedestrian and bicycle improvements

•   Increased police enforcement at Route 1 bus stop aka "The Circle" 

•   Permanent barricade blocking high speed cut through traffic at Perry and 31st Streets 

•   Improved pedestrian facility on Eastern Ave at Bunker Hill Road through outreach to Council of DC

•   Bike infrastructure master plan

•   Installation of new bike racks throughout the downtown area

•   Work with ATHA to improve bike infrastructure throughout the Route 1 corridor and promote bike tourism for our businesses

Sustainability initiatives to save the city money and go green

•   Sustainable Maryland Certified municipality - highest scoring of first four certified communities

•   Green purchasing policy

•   Green infrastructure master plan to plant trees and gardens that reduce runoff and flooding from city roads, etc

•   Buchanan St green street grant

•   Arundel Road green street as part of county levee project

•   Pervious pavement at city hall parking lot and adjoining alley, to reduce runoff and flooding

•   Capital Improvement Plan to begin addressing infrastructure needs including roads, bicycles, and green infrastructure for flooding

Revitalization of our Town Center

•   Promoting a vision of livable, walkable, sustainable Mount Rainier that is safe and productive for all our citizens

•   MUTC Committee has used our new town plan to improve the signage and facades of our businesses

•   Promotion of Arts Lives Here and mural projects throughout the city

•   Better Block Project - demonstrating the potential of our commercial district

•   Increased outreach to Mount Rainier Business Association and new businesses

•   Engaged Rhode Island Ave NE Main Street to build cross border partnership

•   3300 Rhode Island Redevelopment - "The Singer Building" - RFP awarded

•   Perry Street Townhouses - breaking ground in 2015

•   3200 Rhode Island Redevelopment

•   Hiring an Economic Development Director

I'm confident that the new council and staff will keep up the momentum.

Thank you for the confidence you demonstrated in me four years ago, and thank you for all the kind words and support you have offered during my term.

See you around town,

Brent

Net-Zero Home Demonstration Project 3719 34th Street Mt. Rainier, Maryland 20712

Net-Zero Home Demonstration Project 3719 34th Street Mt. Rainier, Maryland 20712

The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County (RDA) is leading the transition to sustainable neighborhoods by kicking off the Net-Zero Home Demonstration Project on one of its currently vacant properties -- 3719 34th Street in Mt. Rainier. This new home will serve as a model of future residential development in Prince George’s County. The RFP for the Net-Zero Demonstration Project can be found on the RDA website.

WHY MT. RAINIER? 

The NZE home will be located in Mt. Rainier, within the Gateway Arts District, a community that has embraced sustainable living. Mt. Rainier has proven itself to be a leader in sustainability efforts in the County – willing to innovate and step out of the “business-as-usual” ways of operating. The community has expressed willingness to be the location for this first model of NZE housing in the County, and the RDA anticipates that Mt. Rainier will provide the public support and interaction that this innovation requires.

Much more info, including the RFP packet, available at:
http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/RedevelopmentAuthority/News/Pages/Net-Zero-Home-No.-RFP-2014-01.aspx

Updated Street Sense Proposal for 3200 Block Rhode Island Ave Redevelopment

On Thursday, November 8, 2012, the Mount Rainier City Council voted to award the contract for redevelopment of the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue to Street Sense and the Neighborhood Development Company. This is a $55 million project featuring 210 Apartments, 18,255 square feet retail, and 250 total parking spaces. Project timeline: land closing 2Q 2013, project delivery 4Q 2014, project stabilization 4Q 2015. See below for the updated visuals for the proposal, but first some additional info from Thursday's meeting that is not reflected in the graphics.

Guy Silverman of Street Sense stated that:

• Based on feedback from residents and council, they plan on at least LEED Gold for this project and are considering Platinum
• With about 18,000 square feet of retail, we can expect small stores and there probably will not be an anchor tenant
• During the design phase they will be sensitive to the needs of Perry Street residents who back up to the 3200 block redevelopment. These concerns were so strong that they are actually incorporated into the Mixed Use Town Center Plan update that was issued in 2010. (The design below reflects a great deal of massing at the rear of the property, creating the potential for looming over and/or shading homes.)
• They will consider expanding the parking garage to add capacity that serves the entire town center area (which some consider underparked because the existing commercial stock dates from streetcar days.)

Funeral Home Mural - Great Press for Better Block Project

Great article about plans to paint a mural on the old funeral home at the corner of Eastern Ave and Rhode Island. This will be a key part of this year's Better Block Project, organized by Joe's Movement Emporium and Gateway CDC to demonstrate the potential of our Rhode Island Avenue corridor.

Photos courtesy of Joe's Movement Emporium, via washingtonpost.com

Route 1 Ride AKA The Bus 17

There's an exciting new initiative to increase connectivity in the Route 1 corridor and get people from parts north down to us in the Gateway Arts District.  Called Route 1 Ride, this is a Prince George's County transit initiative to increase service on The Bus 17 route and hopefully have people trade car trips for bus trips.  Running from Mount Rainier to IKEA for just $1, and free to University of Maryland students, this is a forward thinking initiative to make our county more sustainable, our local economy more healthy, and provide affordable alternative transportation.

Map and stop finder

There is also a plan to "wrap" the buses in an eye catching design to reflect the route's origin in the Gateway Arts District and highlight the unique charm of living in a Route 1 community.  Call for artists to design the wrap is here.

Public Meeting Monday 1/9 - Mount Rainier Sustainability Plan

This Monday, January 9, 2012, at 7pm, the Mount Rainier city council will hold a public meeting to discuss the town's proposed Sustainability Plan.  This plan was created to help highlight the many things Mount Rainier is already doing to create a more sustainable community, and also to create a vision to further our goals for environmental and economic sustainability.  We have integrated the city's own goals with the statewide Sustainable Maryland Certified program for municipalities.

Click the button to add the meeting to your calendar


Further details from the city's website at http://www.mountrainiermd.org/reports_and_documents.html (scroll to the very bottom of the page):

Business Member Needed for Town Center Committee

This committee is important to implementation of our new Mixed Use Town Center Plan.  I am a member of the committee - we meet once a month (when there is an application) to consider signage and renovation plans for businesses in the town center.  In this way we can encourage a common "look and feel" to our business frontages, helping to tie together the whole commercial district.

City Seeks Business Member for Town Center Design Review Committee

The City is currently soliciting for one business member for the Town Center Design Review Committee.  The Committee is composed of 2 business members, 2 resident members and 2 municipal members and reviews all new development projects and exterior renovations in the Mixed-Use Town Center Zone.  This Zone extends along Rhode Island Avenue from the City limits into the 3400 block and along 34th Street from the 3700 block into the 4000 blocks and includes part of Bunker Hill.  Each Committee member will be given a copy of the Mount Rainier Town Center Development Plan. This plan contains the design guidelines which the Committee uses to review applications.

Business and/or property owner members must own either a business or property within the Mixed-Use Town Center Zone or the City.  The City would again be looking for members who have a sense of fairness in reviewing applications and who are interested in the on-going revitalization of the downtown business area.  Committee members should be willing to help encourage appropriate building alterations and signage among business and property owners and to help educate rather than regulate. Applications to be on the Committee are due to City Hall by November 11, 2011.  The final selection of committee members will be made by the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission from the pool of applicants submitted by the City.

Mount Rainier Homes tour - Sunday October 23

Mount Rainier Hosts 2011 Homes Tour

MOUNT RAINIER, Maryland (October 13, 2011) – The Mount Rainier 2011 Homes Tour will take place from 1 to 5 pm on Sunday, October 23rd. Old is made new again in the small historic district that will showcase seven historic homes and beautiful gardens. This self-guided tour will begin at Joe's Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Road.  There will be a $5 fee to cover the cost of expenses.

Homes featured on the tour include:
·        a house built by Italian masons with a hallmark 1920's mural
·        a Windsor model Sears Catalog home with original cedar siding, yellow pine floors and wood windows and
·        "Tall Cedars" - a renovated four square brought back from the brink and accompanied by a stunning garden.

Also on display will be the home of well known artist and Mount Rainier resident Alan Binstock.  "Opening my home for the tour is not only a way for me to give back to the community after receiving state and city historic tax credits that made the renovation possible, but hopefully will inspire potential home buyers to see that even a house that is in serious decay can become both a comfortable home for the owner and architectural asset for Mount Rainier," said former Mayor Bryan Knedler.

Though designed as a walking tour, shuttle bus service will be available at each stop for those unable to walk the route. Upon registering, guests will receive the tour brochure which will serve as a ticket to gain access to participating homes.
In 2010, the Mount Rainier Centennial Committee revived the local tradition and due to the overwhelming response decided to make the tour annual. "A lot of people from the community are renovating their homes.  Last year they really enjoyed getting out, meeting neighbors and getting tips on how to make their renovation process smoother," said Councilman Jimmy Tarlau, committee chair.

#         #          #

Mount Rainier is located 4 miles from downtown Washington D.C. and is a historic community that serves as the gateway from Prince George's County to Washington, D.C.  Designated as part of the Maryland Gateway Arts District, the city is fast becoming something a model village for artists, environmentalists, pacifists and multiculturalists who are drawn to the city's unique history, demography, style and charm.

Work Session & Special Meeting - Tuesday October 18

AGENDA
MAYOR AND COUNCIL WORK SESSION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011, 7:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, UPPER LEVEL
ONE MUNICIPAL PLACE




Bike coop request for a storage shed
Vacant Properties
Clean Currents Wind Power
Brentwood Snow Removal
CDBG Discussion
Strategic Plans
Approve Quit Claim Deed Rainier Manor Apartments
Legislative Proposal

Special Meeting Agenda Items

Resolution 18-2011 Appointing Dawn Barnes to Youth and Recreation Committee
Vote to approve letter to Board of License Commissioners for URBAN EATS CAFE
Vote to approve Clean Currents as an alternative energy provider

3200 block Rhode Island Ave: Street Sense Proposal

At a special meeting of the Mount Rainier City Council on Monday, October 17, 2011, Street Sense presented a concept development plan for the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue (the former Bass Liquors and funeral home properties currently owned by the city).

I personally believe that redeveloping this block, which is the front door of Mount Rainier, is absolutely vital to the economic health of our city.  Simply removing the blight would do wonders for first impressions of our great city, but increased tax base and retail spaces that serve our residents are also important project outcomes.

Proposed floor plan, ground floor of 3200 block Rhode Island Ave

Please keep in mind that the city council has not made any decisions at this point, and, in fact, another developer is due to present a proposal.   Note that Street Sense has indicated its willingness to negotiate many of the details contained in this proposal - a good sign for the true partnership that the city is looking for.  So please take a look at the basic concept and share your thoughts with me.

This is an issue I'll be tracking closely, and I know many of you are as interested as I am.  If you want to receive specific updates on the development process please email me and let me know, but I will do my best to keep this blog up to date as well.

Click through for the full plan