Kabir Cares

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Month: October 2011 Page 1 of 4

Hollywood: Despite Lack of Progress, Dreams Live On

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On October 31, 2011

In Hollywood, Route 1

Hollywood Commercial District (Present), corner of Nantucket Road and Rhode Island Avenue, facing north. The existing conditions include prominent power lines, narrow sidewalks, garbage bins, and widely spacedbuildings with little presence on the street. The frontage road is lined only by grassy medians

Hollywood Commercial District - Artist's rendering. An attractive, walkable environment for strolling pedestrians. Once side medians are planted—and a transit lane is added to the center of Rhode Island Avenue (Draft, see the amendments )

In 2009, the M-NCPPC, after several community meetings, the Maryland Park and Planning released the final US 1 Corridor sector plan documents.

The two year old, 100+ page heavy Route 1 sector plan documents may be gathering dusts in the M-NCPPC’s office shelves, but that shouldn’t stop us from keeping our dreams alive.

I took the artist’s rendering of what our Hollywood Commercial District would look like from the plan along with a picture of what it looks now (please see above).

The plan’s vision statement lays out a rather impressive goal: “The Central US 1 Corridor is a vibrant hub of activity highlighted by walkable concentrations of pedestrian- and transit-oriented mixed-use development, integration of the natural and built environments, extensive use of sustainable design techniques, thriving residential communities, a complete and balanced transportation network, and a world-class educational institution.”

The sector plan envisions the following changes to the area.

Maximize the potential of the Rhode Island Avenue multiway boulevard
New sidewalks and parallel parking shouldbe added, and street trees should be planted inrows on the median and along the sidewalks.Private investment will follow public investment,yet regulatory reform is necessary to require thekind of development which lives up to its multiwayboulevard address. Redevelopment in appropriateplaces should be in the form of multi-story, multiusebuildings with storefronts and mid-blockparking.

Provide a green for neighbors and visitors
A green at any one of the four corners of the intersection of Edgewood Drive and Rhode IslandAvenue can become a highly visible and much frequented centerpiece of Hollywood. A small structure in the park such as a gazebo can servecommunity functions. Parallel parking along theRhode Island Avenue multiway boulevard should beoffered instead of a large parking lot.

Share the parking and interconnect it
Create shared parking regulations. Businesses that have different peak times (a medical office and amovie theater for example) can utilize the sameparking spaces and reduce the total number of spaces needed. Consolidated driveways will allowbusinesses to share parking spaces. Interconnecting the parking lots and assembling a network of alleyswill allow motorists to circulate between nearbybusinesses without necessarily re-entering the trafficon Rhode Island Avenue.

Please also check the related amendments to this draft plan. I made a post on the amendments before here.

There are some silver linings in this lack of development though. After the County finishes installing the traffic signal and its other improvements at the four corner intersection, the City will be working on a streetscape improvement plan. It says it will be also holding a public session on the proposed community center.

Trail Talk 6: Can You Fix My Street Light?

By

On October 30, 2011

In Pepco

Pepco Pole Number

On my campaign trail, I often find it amusing to see the level of expectations many residents have on various services our city provides.

I like the plain simplicity in their expectations – if everything within the city boundary belongs to the City administration, shouldn’t they take care of them when something goes wrong?

Unfortunately things don’t quite work like that. Some services, especially anything related to utilities, are managed by the respective utility companies. Pepco fixes street lights, WSSC water lines and Washington Gas does gas lines.

Things get a little different when it comes to street repairs. Most of the City streets belong to the City thus they take care of their repairs. However the City does not own some streets, even though they run through it. For example, Rhode Island Avenue is owned by the County. On the other hand, Route 1 is owned by the MD State (the SHA, more precisely).

I was at a house recently, when a neighbor asked me to help in fixing his street light.

“Can you please ask the City to fix it? It’s been broken for so long..” – he asked.

I had to explain to him the way things work when it comes to street lights. The City does not fix street lights, it’s Pepco who does this.

Pepco provides a toll – free 24-Hour Outage Report Line – 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). Better yet, we can report street light outages by filling out this online form.

Regardless of the the way you choose to report, please make sure to provide the pole number that you can find engraved on an aluminium label (here is the format 767452-1464, please see the picture). Things may get delayed if we don’t report this pole number.

Local Job Opportunities

By

On October 29, 2011

In Jobs

Job fair

With the deep recession we’re in, many of our residents and neighbors are out of their jobs. I thought I should post a list of upcoming job fairs in the area.

Green Valley Marketplace CAREER FAIR
They are seeking qualified applicants to fill the following positions: Seafood Clerks, Grocery Night Captain, Grocery and Perishable Clerk’s, Cashiers, Deli Clerks and Security Guards. Date: October 29,2011. Time: 10 am – 2 pm. Location: 7280 Montgomery Rd., Elkridge Md. 21074. They offer competitive wages, bonuses, dental and health insurance, paid vacations, holidays, 401 (K). Website

IT Job Fair
Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 4–8 p.m. UMUC Inn and Conference Center, 3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, MD 20783, www.umuc.edu/itjobfair

Human Resources Job Fair
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., UMUC Inn and Conference Center, 3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, MD 20783, www.umuc.edu/hrjobfair

HEALTH CARE CAREER EXPO
October 31, 2011 (Mon), 10:30 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m., Eastern Shore Hospital Center, English Hall, 5262 Woods Road, Cambridge, MD, RSVP or call 410-962-4436, November 3, 2011 (Thurs) 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

ADVANCED HEALTHCARE JOB FAIR AND FREE CAREER EVENTS
M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD, Open to Health Care Professionals, November 3, 2011 (Thurs) 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

TECHEXPO SECRET
Sheraton Columbia Town Center, 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD, Cyber Security Professionals, U.S. Citizenship required; Submit résumé online, November 3, 2011 (Thurs), 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CHOICE CAREER FAIRS
Holiday Inn, 1900 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA, Open; Pre-register online, Bring several copies of your résumé, November 4, 2011 (Fri), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL CAREER FAIR, Howard Community College – Burrill Galleria (ST Building), 10901 Little, Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD, Open, November 4, 2011 (Fri), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FREDERICK COUNTY WORKFORCE SERVICES, FCC Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Avenue, Frederick, MD, 301-662-1162, November 9, 2011 (Wed), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WOMEN FOR HIRE
The Almas Temple at Hamilton Crowne Hotel, 1315 K Street, NW Washington, DC, Open; Resumes required to enter, November 10, 2011 (Thurs) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS CAREER EXPO
Hilton Washington D.C./Gaithersburg, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD, November 10, 2011 (Thurs) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY CAREER FAIR
Community College of Baltimore County. – Catonsville Campus, Building K, Room 100, 800 South Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD, November 10, 2011 (Thurs), 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CHOICE CAREER FAIRS
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Best Western North, 1100 Cromwell Bridge Road, Towson, MD; Pre-register online

Route 1 Event Seeks to Educate Residents about Redevelopment Opportunities

By

On October 28, 2011

In Route 1

Route 1, College Park

The redevelopment of Route 1 is undoubtedly one of the important issues in many residents’ minds. City’s Economic Development Coordinator Michael Stiefvater has recently sent this information to share with you all.

The city is working on an event concerning redevelopment opportunities along Route 1 and they want to begin publicizing it in order to give everyone some advanced notice.

The agenda is a work in progress, but the basic premise for the event is to educate residents on the current status of these opportunities, while collecting feedback on their vision for these sites.

There will be presentations by the Planning and Economic Development staff along with plenty of time for open discussion and questions. Here are additional details for the event:

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011
Time: 8:30am to 12pm
Place: City Council Chambers

[Fazlul Kabir lives in north College Park and writes a daily blog at http://KabirCares.org]

Curbside Leaf Collection Begins Monday

By

On October 27, 2011

In Public Works

Leaf Season 2011

Starting Monday, October 31st, the Public Works Department will begin curbside vacuum collection of leaves. Look for signs posted in your neighborhood for collection dates; collection schedules are tentative so please check the website or contact Public Works for updates. Weather conditions may affect collection (rain may delay collection; dry conditions may generate dust). We apologize for any inconvenience.

November 2011 Curbside Leaf Collection Calendar

Between November 2011 and January 2012, please observe the following:

DO:

Rake leaves, grass, flowers, and light clippings to the curb (but not in the street) – you do not need to bag these items.

Pile leaves away from cars and storm drains – piles blocked by obstacles will not be collected.
Watch for the posted signs in your neighborhood to know when to rake your leaves to the curb. Visit the website for updates to the collection schedule.

DO NOT

-Include brush, branches, sticks, bamboo, vines, rocks, or debris (litter) in your leaf piles. These items may damage the leaf vacuums and delay collection.

Use plastic bags for leaves and clippings. You also do not need to use paper bags or reusable containers during curbside leaf vacuum collection.
Block storm strains or fire hydrants, as this can lead to storm water and emergency access problems.
Pile leaves in the street. Leaves in the street can create a slipping hazard, parking problems, and clog storm drains.

College Park’s Best and Worst Neighborhoods

By

On October 26, 2011

In Community

MapQuest recently started a local social mapping service, called mqVibe. The website lists every local neighborhoods with scores in several categories, such as popularity, going out, residential, burby, edgy and walkabilty.

Among the neighborhoods, Old town College Park did the best – scoring 8.1; all other neighborhoods in the city scored 5 or less.

Overall the city did fairly poor compared to other local cities, such as Arlington, Georgetown, etc – each scoring 10/10.

Click on the icons below to find details of each neighborhoods of College Park




College Park To Get Sponsored Recycling and Trash Bins

By

On October 25, 2011

In Business, Environment

Outdoor Advertising - New Carrollton Style

In tonight’s council session, the Mayor and Council will approve an agreement with Creative Outdoor Advertising to place trash and recycling bins around the City.

The Create Outdoor Advertising is a Florida based company that provides free trash and recycling bins to municipalities in exchange of revenues from the advertisements placed on the bins.

Earlier, in February this year, the City considered two companies to place cost free trash bins across the town.

The exact places of the free public trash and recycling containers around the City will be determined by the City staff and COA , in exchange for granting COA an exclusive right to sell advertising on the trash and recycling cans.

Some of the stations will also be offered to the City of College Park for its own use in promoting issues of public interest. COA will maintain the trash and recycling stations for free, while the City will pick up the trash and recycling.

The City of New Carrollton awarded COA to place recycling trash bins in June this year. According to the Gazette, municipalities cannot afford to do public space recycling programs because of the costs. Recycling units can run between $1,300 and $2,000 each.

Unlike College Park, which collects its own recycling items, Creative Outdoor in New Carrollton is responsible for collection and would need to contract with another company to pick up the recycling

City’s First Skate Park to Open Early Next Year in Sunnyside

By

On October 24, 2011

In Development, Skate Park, Sunnyside

Rendering of the proposed Sunnyside Skate Park

According to City’s planning department, if permits are issued as expected, construction of City’s first Skate Park should begin next month. Construction is anticipated to take 60 days.

The City’s planning department published the final design late last week to its website.

The skate spot will be built within the confines of Sunnyside Park on Rhode Island Avenue just north of Edgewood Road.

Back in March this year, the City Council approved the design of College Park’s first skate park.

On Mar 22, 2010, the City awarded Seattle-based Grindline Skateparks (http://www.grindline.com/) a contract to design and build a skateboard park in Sunnyside Neighborhood Park in north College Park

The City held two public hearings on the park, one in April and another in June last year.

In October last year, the park’s design went through a few major revisions, after receiving concerns from M-NCPPC and some residents on children’s safety in the proposed park.

According to the new design, the park’s bowl is much shallower (four feet) compared to the previous one, which was more more than seven feet deep. The new design is expected to attract more beginning skaters and would be more safe for the community and easier to maintain. There are also an addition of a stair element to the new design.

M-NCPPC continues to have concems about maintenance and has requested that the City provide assistance. The City Manager and Public Works Director indicated that supplemental maintenance could be provided as part of the City’s routine park maintenance program.

Speaking of the park, Kennis Termini, a long time resident of north College Park, and a member of the park design committee, said: “I look to the Sunnyside Skate Park as being a positive outreach to our youth community that is local, safe and widely supported.”

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In Pictures – College Park Day 2011

By

On October 23, 2011

In Uncategorized

Top 10 Reasons to Attend College Park Day

By

On October 22, 2011

In College Park Day, Projects

College Park Day 2010

Today is the second College Park Day. Along with a bunch of volunteers, I hope to be at the College Park Community Center early in the morning. I will have to hang some 60 beautifully done school posters inside the walls of the center’s gym. I also plan to be at the reception / information booth in the afternoon.

Before this year’s College Park Day becomes history at the end of the day, here are a few things to remember. This is an event created to celebrate the city’s diverse populations, arts, culture, and history. And this is largely a volunteer effort aims to foster a greater sense of community among city residents and highlight the people, businesses, and community groups that call the city home.

The event will start from 1:00 and end at 5:00 p.m. (rain or shine) at the College Park Community Center, located at 5051 and 5101 Pierce Avenue in College Park.

Free parking and shuttle available at 5240 Paint Branch Parkway, the former location of the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant. Free shuttles also available at Stamp Student Union and the College Park Metro station.

In case you’re not convinced yet to attend the event, here are the top 10 reasons you may want to consider..

  1. Over 50 Community Organizations!!!!
  2. See 60 nicely done “My Home, My community” posters by our school children (grades 1 to 6)
  3. Local Food Vendors! Two food carts from DC will be there as well.
  4. PG County Police Bomb Squad Robot Demonstrations!
  5. Fun and entertainment for the families and, specially for the Kids!! There will be a moon bounce, an inflatable jungle gym, and more!
  6. Green Living Seminars!! Local orgs & businesses, will be on hand to help you and yours go green.
  7. A Climbing Wall! The Ntnl Guard is bringing a climbing wall—and some info on how it keeps us safe!
  8. Cupcakes! Come indulge your sweet tooth and try a cupcake from Curbside Cupcakes!
  9. The Maryland Flying Wizard Turtles will be giving Quidditch demonstrations!
  10. Air Force ROTC Drill Team, Making Moves Dance Collective, 93 Buick, and much more. See you on 10/22!

More info available at www.collegeparkday.org.  Also please check this Patch article

See you all today!

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