Kabir Cares

College Park's trusted source for daily news and updates since 2009

Month: May 2020 Page 1 of 3

New Neighborhood Signs in Sunnyside and College Park Woods

By

On May 31, 2020

In Announcements, Public Works

Congratulations to our Sunnyside neighbors on having this wonderful new sign at the entrance of their neighborhood. A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to ask our Public Works to replace the old sign at the end of Odessa Rd. Based on the consultation with the neighbors and the City Staff, we decided to post this new sign at this new location at the entrance of the neighborhood. Thanks to our Public Works staff for doing a great job!

Additionally, Public Works Staff installed College Park Woods Community Gateway Sign – in the median island on St. Andrews Place. In addition, Electric LED lighting has been installed in the Woods median island for nighttime illumination of the gateway sign.

Today – FREE Food Distribution

By

On May 29, 2020

In COVID-19

Today, Friday, May 29th, Beltsville Seventh-Day Adventist Church will distribute groceries-to-go beginning at 12:30 p.m. The food distribution event will provide non-perishable groceries, one box per car. Each box is estimated to feed a family of four for two days. Seventh-Day Adventist Church is located at 4220 Ammendale Road in Beltsville.

City May Eliminate Parking Permit Fees in Residential Neighborhoods

By

On May 28, 2020

In Parking

A parking sign on a College Park street

At this week’s meeting, the City Council introduced an Ordinance to eliminate residential parking permit fees.

Residential permit parking zones have proven to be the most effective means to reduce overcrowded parking in neighborhoods due to non-residents taking parking space from residents and their guests.

Historically, residents have often resisted the establishment of residential permit parking zones due to the annual $10 fee per vehicle. A common opinion is that a resident should not have to pay to park on the street where they live. By eliminating permit fees, some neighborhoods may wish to be included in a residential permit zone to alleviate parking competition on their streets.

Right now, except where otherwise established by Council action, the default number of residential permits issued per address is 5 annual permits, and 2 visitor/guest permits.

The elimination of annual residential permits and visitor permit fees would reduce revenue by approximately $25,000. It is not proposed to eliminate monthly parking permit fees such as in the municipal garage monthly on-street zones.

That said, there are possibilities to make some savings – in other ways, namely through the proposed license plate reader and online registration.

License plate reader used by the University of Maryland Dept of Transportation

License plate reader used by the University of Maryland Dept of Transportation

The FY21 capital improvement budget includes the purchase and installation of License Plate Recognition (LPR) equipment. This will allow migration to residential permit zone vehicle registration by the license plate.

Online registration is also being implemented. These changes will reduce the operational cost of the residential parking permit program by eliminating mailing and physical hangtag permit costs. This will help offset the lost revenue if fees are eliminated. The annual cost of postage and hang tags is approximately $18,000.

In the interim between the adoption of this ordinance and implementation of residential permit zone permitting by online registration, all current annual and bi-annual residential parking permits will be extended without payment of additional permit fees.

[City of College Park]

City to Give $1.45 million Additional COVID-19 Economic Assistance to Residents, Small Businesses

By

On May 27, 2020

In Announcements, COVID-19

At last night’s Council meeting, the Council approved additional economic assistance programs, totaling up to $1,450,000, to assist families, senior citizens, and other individuals, and small businesses and non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding for all, but the Modified Business Assistance and Façade Improvement Program, is reimbursable through the CARES Act, that the Congress approved recently.

The proposals include:

(1) Small Business Assistance Grants Program – $1,000,000
This fund will assist small businesses (and non-profits if allowed by CARES Act funding requirements) with 25 or fewer full-time equivalents (FTEs), with direct economic support for costs of business interruption caused by required closures, voluntary closures to promote social distancing, or affected by decreased customer demand due to COVID-19. Program sunsets December 1, 2020.

Up to a maximum grant of $15,000 (each business/owner) is available. Upon approval, the grant will be paid in 3 installments, 30 days apart, with the first paid upon approval at 50%, the second at 25%, and the third at $25%. 2nd and 3rd installment payments contingent upon submission of required documentation of continuing operations of the business. The program ends on December 1, 2020.

Commercial business (and non-profits if allowed by CARES Act funding requirements) with no more than 10 outlets are eligible.  The businesses may not be part of a national franchise, and with a physical presence in the City of College Park. They must have 25 or fewer FTEs with operating business as of January 1, 2020. Vape, liquor, and tobacco businesses, or age-restricted businesses ineligible, if applicable per law. City elected officials are also not eligible.

(2) Emergency Financial Aid to Families, Senior Citizens, and Other Individuals – $200,000
This fund will provide financial assistance to families, senior citizens, and other individuals who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial assistance may be provided for eligible expenses, such as rent/mortgage payments to avoid eviction/foreclosure; unforeseen funeral costs; utility payments; and other emergency needs as deemed necessary.

(3) Additional Funding for Non-Profits – $100,000
This fund will provide additional funding of $20,000 each to Meals on Wheels and the College Park Food Bank.

(4) Modified Business Assistance and Façade Improvement Program – $150,000

Eligible business/owner can receive up to a maximum grant of $15,000. Funding for all, but the Modified Business Assistance and Façade Improvement Program, is reimbursable through the CARES Act.

Additionally, City is considering to roll out an additional fund of $200,000 on Business Promotional Assistance – with economic support or costs of business interruption caused by required closures, voluntary closures to promote social distancing, or affected by decreased customer demand due to COVID-19 by attracting/incentivizing customers to patronize local businesses. Program sunsets December 1, 2020. Staff recommended delaying implementing this program until additional details are developed.

Programs will sunset on December 1, 2020.

THANK YOU – To Those That Served, and are Serving

By

On May 25, 2020

In Announcements

Today is Memorial Day.

Due to the restrictions placed on community gatherings due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the City is unable to hold this year’s Memorial Day event at the City’s Veterans Memorial.

At last week’s City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council decided to make a proclamation to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, extend gratitude and appreciation for members of our Armed Forces past and present, and offer this proclamation as a token of our respect from a grateful City.

Though we’ll not be observing the annual event, we must never forget those who have sacrificed their lives to maintain the security of our great nation and the liberties we hold so dear and thank them for defending our freedoms; and we wish also to express our gratitude to their families and thank them for their sacrifices.

We also want to say thank you to all of the front-line essential workers – nurses, health care professionals, police officers, firefighters,  grocery store workers, teachers, school support staff, all of the other public employees working hard on our behalf during this difficult time.

Due to Memorial Day, all City facilities are closed today. All refuse and recycling collections will slide forward one day. For example, today’s regular collections will be collected tomorrow, etc. Special collection appointments will only be made for Friday of this week.

Council to Ask Federal Support To Reopen And Rebuild Local Economies

By

On May 25, 2020

In City Council

At tomorrow’s Council meeting the Council will consider approving a resolution in support of the fair, direct, federal emergency support to reopen and rebuild local American economies. The resolution says America’s cities and towns, like College Park face unprecedented threats due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Municipalities are essential to America’s economic recovery and without funding support for local governments, municipalities may go from being a critical part of the economic solution to becoming a major obstacle to long-term stabilization and recovery.

America’s cities and towns will experience budgetary shortfalls of up $134 billion in the fiscal year 2020 alone, and the negative effects of the pandemic emergency on local communities will continue long after this year. Three million critical municipal worker jobs are at risk, threatening cuts to basic community services, including 9-1-1 response, sanitation, and maintenance. The City has been part of the emergency response and now calls on Congress to build a united national partnership for a safe, healthy, prosperous life. College Park has projected approximately $2 million in revenue loss due to the pandemic, while expenditures have increased.

College Park calls on Congress to allocate fair and direct federal support to all of America’s communities, regardless of population size. The resolution says the funding must be flexible and address not only the additional expenses incurred by communities to respond to the pandemic emergency, but also the dramatic budgetary shortfalls resulting from pauses in commerce, tourism, and other economic engines. Local governments, like College Park, will ensure federal funds are immediately used to rebuild and reopen the national economy. Funding will keep middle-class workers employed and critical services operating.

City to Support Bill Asking for Federal Support for Local Municipalities

By

On May 24, 2020

In Announcements, Council

At this week’s City Council meeting, the Council will consider adopting a resolution in support of the bill H.R. 6175, The REHAB Act – for a fair, direct, federal emergency support to reopen and rebuild local emergency support to reopen and rebuild local American economies.

The REhab act would provide federal tax incentives for affordable housing, mixed-use development, and private infrastructure in urban centers and activity centers such as College Park.

The Act would support the following:
 Focus incentives on the rehabilitation of existing assets near public transportation, which will also
support smarter local public investment strategies.
 Include infrastructure upgrades in eligible project costs.
 Encourage investment in affordable housing in walkable communities.
 Encourage greater density and retrofitting of existing housing.

 

Council Makes Proclamation on this Year’s Memorial Day

By

On May 23, 2020

In Announcements

Due to the restrictions placed on community gatherings due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the City is unable to hold this year’s Memorial Day event at the City’s Veterans Memorial.

At last week’s City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council decided to make a proclamation to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, extend gratitude and appreciation for members of our Armed Forces past and present, and offer this proclamation as a token of our respect from a grateful City.

City Cancels this Year’s 4th of July Event

By

On May 22, 2020

In Announcements, COVID-19

At this week’s Council meeting, the City Council decided to cancel this year’s Fourth of July celebration, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City continues to monitor the situation and will cancel or modify other upcoming events as necessary to protect the health and safety of participants and staff.

City events that have been canceled include Brunch with Bunny, Spring Egg Hunt, Memorial Day Tribute, 75th Anniversary Parade and Festival, and the new Lake Artemesia Concert Series (a mutual decision between Berwyn Heights and College Park). Plans for the City’s Night at the Movies events are currently on hold. There is an option to do a drive-in style movie if the Recreation Board, Mayor and Council, and City staff feel comfortable moving forward with that option.

$29 Million Route 1 Reconstruction to Start Next Week

By

On May 21, 2020

In Development, Route 1

According to the MDOT / SHA, the Route 1 construction this month on a three-year, $29 million project to improve safety and operations for motorists, bicyclist and pedestrians along US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) from College Avenue/Regents Drive to MD 193 (University Boulevard) in College Park.

This 1.4-mile project also supports revitalization and traffic relief along this highly traveled stretch of US 1. Construction is scheduled to begin after Memorial Day.

This project will not only produce a safer, more attractive and less congested US 1, but will spur economic development and recovery in one of the region’s most important corridors, according to Gov. Hogan.

Planned improvements include:
• widening lanes to provide two lanes in each direction and auxiliary lanes that transition into turn lanes and adding a raised median,
• adding intersection lighting,
• roadway resurfacing and landscaping,
• adding a five-foot wide bicycle lane on each side of US 1,
• improving sidewalks and crosswalk ramps to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance,
• upgrading drainage and stormwater management facilities and relocating utilities, and
• adding signage and pavement markings.

According to MDOT, this project incorporates MDOT SHA’s innovative Context Driven design elements, such as continental crosswalks and dedicated bicycle lanes, to help enhance safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

This project was first announced in June 2015 as part of the Hogan’s Administration’s $1.97 billion investment in roads and timber bridges. Carrying more than 38,000 vehicles per day, US 1 is a major north-south artery located in the City of College Park in Prince George’s County and the gateway to the University of Maryland.

When completed and tied together with the Purple Line rail system that will come through the University of Maryland campus, College Park will be a model for Maryland’s vision for safe and efficient multi-modal access and mobility – according to the MDOT.

The project will be divided into two phases. Phase One includes work in the southern section – from College Avenue to Lakeland Road. Phase Two will take place in the northern section – from Lakeland Road to MD 193. Each phase is expected to last approximately 18 months.

During construction, temporary single- or double-lane closures may be in effect 24/7 on US 1 and on MD 193. Additional lane closures and work times may be needed to expedite work and keep the project on schedule. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project limits.

The project was initially projected to take four years to complete, but MDOT SHA worked with local residents, officials, and other stakeholders and have trimmed that schedule by a year. Construction is now estimated to be complete by the end of 2023.

To view an online presentation with an overview of the project and its construction schedule, click HERE.

In recent months MDOT SHA crews have prepared for the start of construction by completing work to relocate utilities in the area – an example of the important work accomplished during Maryland’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. This work, aided in part by the lower traffic volumes during the state of emergency, has set the stage for construction to begin in earnest on a project that will create job and economic development opportunities as Maryland emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

MDOT SHA is asking drivers need to stay alert, focus on the road, and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes, and highway workers. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, go to roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time commute conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov

[Source: The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA)]

Page 1 of 3

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén