Berwyn District Civic Association

Berwyn District Civic Association

Thursday, November 15, 2007

1. Agenda Item 1. Introductions. Jerry Anzulovic, President of the BDCA, called the meeting to order.

2. Agenda Item 2. Treasurer’s Report. The treasurer was unable to attend so there was no Treasurer’s report this month.

3. Agenda Item 3. Discussion on the Washington Post Plant. Jerry announced that he had been informed that the Washington Post plant will close – they’ll be consolidating their printing operations in Springfield – and the Baltimore Sun will take over the building.

4.         Agenda Item 4. Discussion on Community Garden. A resident who has proposed a community garden discussed developments concerning the idea. A University Sustainable Agriculture group has agreed to donate some money, a shed, and a compost tumbler. A couple of other groups will probably donate some money and/or equipment. The Berwyn Cafe has agreed to contribute to the compost pile. The College Park Committee for a Better Environment will be contacted for advice.
      Parks and Planning has also been contacted regarding the proposal. They own the “triangle” parcel of land along Quebec Street, Patuxent Avenue, and the east side of the trolley tracks. Since no ball playing is allowed on this parcel of land, it would be a good site for the garden. A proposal is being written to present to Park and Planning. Park and Planning has said that they would need a more “overriding” group than the Sustainable Ag group to approve the plan. One possible obstacle is the need to demonstrate to Park and Planning that there’s a need for more than one community garden in the area.
      The students promoting the garden will try to organize another meeting about the project in November. They are asking BDCA to give its support to the plan. Jerry said that BDCA might be interested but would also need to see a written proposal.
      Somebody recommended that the group look into the P.G. County Community Improvement grants, which will pay up to $15,000 in matching funds.
      It was recommended that the organizers visit the community garden next to Spellman House in Lakeland and the one next to Attick Towers.
      The following issues were discussed: whether there would be a fence with locking gates, how many plots the garden would have and how they would be designated, would individual plots be fenced in or just the entire garden, who would be responsible for upkeep, what material (for example, wood chips) would be used on the paths between the plots, will it be an organic garden, what will be done if there is a rodent problem, etc.
      Water was discussed. Storm barrels is one option, but then mosquitoes will be a problem. Parks and Planning might add a spigot if we ask for one.
      Parks and Planning said it would do the tilling for free.
      The organizers can include a flyer about the garden in the neighborhood newsletter, if they want to.
      The organizers will probably organize a follow-up meeting at the garden site for November 27th.
      There are several residents in the neighborhood who are gardening experts.

5. Agenda Item 5. City Council Candidates. A resident moved that BDCA should commend the spirit of the three people who ran for City Council.

6. Agenda Item 6. College Park Reports from Our Council Representatives. Bob Catlin announced that the plan for the office building at 8400 Baltimore Ave. did not do well with the city. The owner is buying the Koons Ford and Jiffy Lube sites. A 12-story building will be built in front of University View to house Freshman Connection students. A traffic light is planned for the intersection of Route 1 and Berwyn House Road. A lot of University View residents park over near the Comcast Center. A lot of the “eyesore” buildings on Route 1 don’t want to sell – that creates a problem.
Jack Perry announced that we’re looking at over 2,000 students living on the east side of campus. The proposed hotel at the current Jerry’s site has morphed into student housing. There’s a proposal for a second bridge to campus across Paint Branch. The residential buildings being built are supposed to have retail on the first floor. Redevelopment along the railroad tracks in Greenbelt is proceeding – they’re moving dirt. The north core of the project will be close to the Beltway, where there will be Neiman-Marcus type stores. The south core will have apartments, with shops on the first floor. Most of this development along the railroad tracks will be in Greenbelt, not College Park. There will be a lot going on in the area for the next 10–12 years. Some believe that the Purple Line will never be built. This coming Monday there will be a meeting about proposed redevelopment of Rhode Island Avenue in Hollywood.

7. Agenda Item 7. Miscellaneous Discussion. Recent car thefts in the neighborhood were discussed. One of the residents in the neighborhood had been the head of the auto recovery unit in D.C. – he’ll suggest to the County that they County use bait cars like they did in D.C. It was stressed that if something looks suspicious, the non-emergency number should be called. If you say “I want an officer to come out and investigate,” they will send someone. It was announced that at the Board of Directors meeting it was decided that BDCA should write to the County Executive about the problem of people being put on hold when they call 911. A resident offered to help other residents who were interested in installing alarms or surveillance cameras. The idea of installing cameras near the roads entering the neighborhoods was suggested. Berwyn Heights wants to mimic the way we handled Halloween this year. Santa will visit our neighborhood on Saturday, December 15th, at Fealy Hall.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.

Meeting Attendees: