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Author: Fazlul Kabir Page 2 of 482

City Names Miriam Bader as New Planning Director, Following Retirement of Terry Schum

Today, the City announced that Miriam Bader had been selected to serve as the City’s new Director of Planning and Community Development. Ms. Bader will start her tenure as Director on April 3, following the retirement of Director Terry Schum.

Ms. Bader has almost 40 years of planning and zoning experience. She has served as the City’s Senior Planner within the Department of Planning and Community Development since 2012. Prior to working for the City of College Park, she held numerous planning roles for cities and towns across the country, including college towns like Auburn, Alabama and Plymouth, New Hampshire.

In her current capacity as Senior Planner for the City, Ms. Bader reviews and presents Detailed Site Plan recommendations as well as variance and departure applications. She also serves as staff liaison to several City advisory boards.

Ms. Bader will replace long-time Planning and Community Development Director Terry Schum. Ms. Schum began her career with the City of College Park in February 1986 as the Coordinator of Economic Development and built the Department of Planning and Community Development.

During her tenure, she has facilitated the transformation of College Park by leading projects that created new parks, improved streetscapes, established historic districts and walking tours, added bike trails and sidewalks, and implemented a micro-mobility program with the University of Maryland.

She has worked closely with M-NCPPC, Prince George’s County, and the State on major plans and projects that have improved College Park. Ms. Schum worked with developers on nearly every new construction project throughout the City, presenting her recommendations to the City Council and other officials. After more than 37 years with the City, Ms. Schum will be retiring from the City on March 31, 2023.

Source: City of College Park

Employment Opportunity – Farmers Market Food Access Coordinator

The Hollywood Farmers Market needs a person to run the Market Money Program. This program is designed to aid people on SNAP and WIC to have affordable access to the Farmers’ Market and farm fresh produce. This food Justice and food Equity program has created growth at the Riverdale Park Farmers Market and the Greenbelt Farmers Market. The need has been significant enough to make a difference for the vendors in those markets.

The market should start in late April or early May, so the timeline is relatively short. The Market Money Coordinator would need to be at the market every Saturday for the duration of the market to manage the program. Here is a Word document detailing the program. Bilingual is a plus (Spanish/English), but not necessary.

This position will run from the date of hire through November 18, 2023, and is at a rate of $18/hour.

Please spread the word. Thank you.​

Farmers Market Food Access Coordinator Position Description

College Park Target Closing in May

Sadly, the College Park Target store will close on May 13. The store is one of the four stores that Target announced to close.

College Park Target is located on the ground floor of the student housing Landmark at 7501 Baltimore Ave, just north of the City Hall.

The store opened as Target Express in 2015. The retailer said the decision to close these stores was based on performance.

According to the report, employees at other stores will be offered job opportunities at nearby Target stores.

February 2023 College Park Crime Map

Here is March 2023 crime map.  Please see here to find previous months’ crime maps.
2023

CPCUP Annual Report – Expanded Trolley Trail Day, and More..

At next week’s meeting, the Council will receive a presentation from the College Park City University Partnership (CPCUP). Partnership celebrated 25 years of service to the City, University and College Park Community.

CPCUP spent $150,000 from the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund to support the Homeownership program.

Three new homebuyers in 2022 make for a total of 78 since the program launch. It also invested  $1,293,000 from the State of Maryland to connect the Trolley Trail to the Riverwalk along Campus Drive.

Additionally, it spent  $15.8 million in federal, state, and local funding to support establishing the Community Preservation Trust.

The Trust plans to invest in 5 homes in 2023.

After the pandemic, the CPCUP intends to restart the Trolley Trail Day on June 10, 2023 from Hollywood to Hyattsville, with activity hubs in Berwyn, Lakeland and Calvert Hills.

Visioning Workshop for Economic Development

At tomorrow’s meeting, the Council will host a visioning workshop for City’s economic development at tomorrow’s meeting. The Council requested an analysis and 5-year strategic plan to build on the City’s current development success.

As a first step to developing and implementing a strategic plan, the Visioning Workshop and Stakeholder session seek input from the City’s Leadership to prioritize and address the needs and goals of College Park.

With Councils’ feedback, this Visioning Workshop will assist the Economic Development Manager in defining and constructing a framework and action plan to create a 5-to-10-year Economic Development Plan and Strategy that will align with the City’s Vision and Goals.

The Workshop is in a public session. Anyone can call in and make comments.

You can see a draft presentation here online. The presentation starts at page #58

Simple Steps to Prevent Car Thefts

This car theft incident has really struck my nerve. Unfortunately, the victim lives in north College Park. The resident’s minivan was stolen at his job site in Baltimore first. The thief found the victim’s W2 form and the keys inside the van. He then drove the minivan to his home in College Park and stole his personal vehicle. Please read more about the incident here in this Fox news article.

Police are advising us to follow these simple steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future:

  • Never leave keys inside or on your vehicle. Always keep them on your person
  • Ensure that all doors and windows are secure before leaving the vehicle unattended.
  • When possible, park the vehicle in a well-lit area.
  • Never leave valuables in plain sight. (Hide it, lock it, or keep it)

Kabir for Mayor – I am Running!

Responding to numerous requests from the community, and after doing much introspection and discussing it with my family, I am thrilled to announce that I am running for Mayor of College Park in the upcoming special election.

As the longest continuously serving member of the current City Council, I have had the privilege of serving our community and working hard to improve the lives of our residents. Now, I am ready to take on the role of Mayor to bring even more positive change to College Park.

The recent disturbing incident demands College Park to have a community leader who can bring people together and heal the emotional pain of shock and betrayal. I want to lead as I did before by bringing our community together. In 2010, I worked with a wonderful group of residents for several months and we started City’s annual College Park Day event. Together, we also started our Farmers Market and the Community Garden. Last year, I advocated bringing the once-famous annual College Park Parade back on Rhode Island Avenue, which brought thousands of City residents together in one place.

I love to listen to our residents and get things done. During the Council terms in my district, I listened to our residents and worked on several amenities – a new Duvall Field, Hollywood Streetscape, Hollywood Dog Park, Gateway Park, protected bike lanes and a community center. Being the representative of all districts in the City, I will listen to all residents of College Park and extend my advocacy to bring more amenities to every part of the City.

Being the Mayor, I will advocate for strong public safety, better code enforcement, smart economic development, sustainable and green programs, aging-in-place for our seniors, partnership with the University, enhanced education in our schools, Lakeland Restorative Justice, and a healthy mode of transportation.

I have been advocating and working collaboratively on City issues with our neighboring towns and partners at the County and State levels. Being the Mayor, I will have better opportunities to advance City issues and bring amenities and services to College Park.

I love meeting new neighbors during my campaign. In the coming days, I will be at your doors to hear your ideas and how we can make them happen together. As I hit the campaign trail, I’ll appreciate the opportunity to meet and listen to you.

I ask for your vote and support in this upcoming election. Together, we can make College Park the best it can be.

City Announces this Year’s College Park Parade

Celebrating College Park Parade

May 6, 2023 | 10:00 am | Rhode Island Avenue

Join the City of College Park on May 6, 2023 at 10:00am to celebrate our community! Spectators can line up along Rhode Island Avenue to see local groups, organizations, entertainers, performers, and more!

We need you! Register your band, group, club, school, organization, business, classic car, equestrian club, or performer today. The deadline to participate is April 28, 2023. To register (and for rules and regulations), please visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/paradeentries2023.

Want to volunteer? Sign up today to be notified when volunteer positions become available (including those for SSL hours) at www.collegeparkmd.gov/volunteers.

[City of College Park]

Mental Health support for City Residents

For those who are emotionally struggling because of last week’s disturbing event, the City is offering mental health support.
• For residents seeking mental health support, the City offers up to $5,000 per household in approved mental health expenses either through reimbursement or paid directly to a mental health provider. Learn more about the program and apply at www.collegeparkmd.gov/arpa#resident.
• City’s Department of Youth, Family Services and Senior Services offers emergency counseling resources for our youngest residents and their families, and the Seniors Program supports our senior population. For the Youth and Family Services, call 240-487-3500 or email families@collegeparkmd.gov. For the Seniors Program, call 240.487.3614 or email seniors@collegeparkmd.gov.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat online at https://988lifeline.org/.

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