The Mark Student Housing – College Park
Next Tuesday, the College Park Mayor and Council will review the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision and Detailed Site Plan applications for “The Mark at College Park,” a major redevelopment proposal located at 4313 Knox Road and 4330 Hartwick Road. The proposal would redevelop the existing College Park Towers property into a new high-density student housing community with expanded public amenities, transportation improvements, open spaces, and pedestrian connections.
The project proposes demolishing the current College Park Towers condominium buildings and replacing them with two new student housing buildings totaling approximately 589 dwelling units and 2,030 beds. The redevelopment would include structured parking, landscaped courtyards, bicycle infrastructure, public plazas, pedestrian promenades, stormwater management facilities, and other community amenities. The development site covers approximately 4.5 acres between Knox Road and Hartwick Road.
One of the key features of the proposal is a large public pedestrian promenade running north-south through the property, connecting Knox Road and Hartwick Road. The promenade would include public plazas, public art, seating areas, bike repair stations, landscaping, wayfinding signs, and ADA-accessible pathways designed to improve walkability and community connectivity in the downtown area. The project would also include a public pocket park with a pollinator garden, public art installation, seating, and a free little art gallery.
The redevelopment proposal also includes significant transportation and pedestrian safety improvements funded through the Bicycle and Pedestrian Impact Statement (BPIS) process. These improvements may include raised crosswalks, artistic crosswalks, ADA ramp upgrades, bicycle lanes, micromobility infrastructure, pedestrian signage, and additional bike connections between the University of Maryland and surrounding neighborhoods. Staff is also recommending removal of some on-street parking along portions of Knox Road and Hartwick Road to accommodate protected bike lanes following construction.
The project includes several public benefit commitments that were part of the previously approved zoning map amendment for the property. These commitments include green building elements, EV charging stations, pollinator gardens, bicycle facilities, public art, seating areas, and moderately priced student housing units. According to the draft Declaration of Covenants, the developer would provide discounted housing opportunities for eligible renters, including Pell Grant recipients and military veterans.
The proposal would provide 573 parking spaces in a two-level underground garage, including ADA-accessible spaces, visitor parking, delivery spaces, and EV charging spaces. The buildings themselves would range between seven and ten stories depending on elevation and topography. The project would also exceed the City’s required recreational amenity investment by proposing more than $2 million in recreational and open space improvements, including courtyards, rooftop amenities, landscaping, and public gathering spaces.
As part of Tuesday’s discussion, the Council will review staff recommendations and provide feedback before the applications move forward to the Prince George’s County Planning Board later this month and in June. The Council may recommend approval, approval with additional conditions, or disapproval of the applications. Financially, the redevelopment is expected to significantly increase the assessed value of the property and generate additional property tax revenue for the City over time. The developer is also required to contribute approximately $254,550 toward off-site bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements.
Mary Hartnett
How do CP required recreational and open space affect rents? Amenities cost. The UMD provides lots of recreational opportunities and open space. Just walk to campus and save on rent.