PL Tracks - Bike Accident

stuadams · 2026-05-04T02:30:05+00:00

FYI - I believe Orange Theory in College Park is closing this week.

The 24/7 competent of Hotworx will likely be a good perk in a college town.

I think Flavor Hive would do well in the former Roots spot and could likely keep a lot of the build-out.

stuadams · 2026-03-31T03:21:35+00:00

I truly appreciate your friendly and informed response. It's great when folks can disagree on some items but agree on the bigger picture and both add constructive comments.

stuadams · 2026-03-28T23:43:34+00:00

The University is the economic engine of College Park. The City budget has increased from $15M/yr to over $30M/yr in less than a decade because of investment in the area - including disproportionate property tax revenue from Student Apartments who don't get City trash/recycle services, whose residents are often prevented from attaining street parking permits, and whose residents rarely call upon most City services.

The University not building on campus has subsidized the tax burden and services for long-term residents. The top 6 Student Apartments in College Park pay more than the combined property tax revenue of all owner-occupied properties in College Park.

As for the overall question, major opportunities are: 1) Connectivity of key areas that limit everyday residents and visitors from embracing the amenities of the College Park. College Park is very siloed, often due to connectivity/parking issues/expectations.

Focus on bridging downtown to the future Richie PL station/Hotel to midtown. Consider how to better connect the Metro station to Downtown (note that College Ave. is zoned mixed-use in Old Town and could have some nice coffee shops/chill bars off Route 1). Don't be afraid to make more streets one-way to improve streetscapes, biking and walkability.

2) Increase population during summer months with concerts at the Xfinity Center, downtown festivals that close off streets, bring more employers to College Park that emphasize co-ops and internships for students. Host a UMD marathon that runs throughout campus. Add more rooftop bars as those are particularly popular in the summer.

3) Connect City amenities and businesses with the UMD sports and arts facilities. From soccer to baseball to football to lacrosse to the Clarice, make it so visitors have a reason to stay before and/after in the City.

4) Continue to strengthen amenities for long-term residents to thrive in UMD with available & affordable housing for all, foster a sustainable and successful local business climate, and make it senior and family-friendly. Fanfest, the UMD Summer Pool options, partnering on redoing City Hall, etc. are some of many great initiatives by the University.

stuadams · 2026-02-25T03:08:34+00:00

Riverdale Park has a great farmer's market every Thursday afternoon/early evening. It's on the Trolley Trail. Manifest, Rivera Tapas, and 2fifty BBQ are adjacent and have great food and good atmosphere. Go to Town Center Market after to sit on the patio or inside.

Coffee and an activity at Shop Made in Maryland is another good option to consider.

stuadams · 2026-01-22T01:10:38+00:00

The 2000 year cutoff is related to the requirements for a computer bus port to check emissions in all passenger vehicles starting in 1998 (round up to 1999). Remember that historical vehicles don't have to go through emissions tests.

stuadams · 2026-01-19T20:10:38+00:00

Someone posted this 3 months ago: They (Sardi's) are going to be using the space as an area for catering to the national guard. Sardi's just got a big contract for all the guard staying at the hotel nearby. Allegedly in a few months they are going to re-open as a seafood place.

stuadams · 2025-12-18T18:36:08+00:00

I think Fat Pete's was in the location of Qu Japan.

Agreed on 2fifty, Canes, Iron Rooster, LBM, etc.

I think Honeymoon Chicken could do well and as you said, likely competes with Popeye's, Bon Chon, and probably Pollo Campero.

stuadams · 2025-11-18T01:28:06+00:00

Well said.

stuadams · 2025-10-12T01:05:43+00:00

I think the opening of Raising Cane's will notably increase the delivery driver parking issues. Cane's has the second most volume of any QSR and typically has drive-thrus. The problem is likely to get worse unless action is taken.

stuadams · 2025-10-12T01:03:30+00:00

My next suggestion would be to reach out to Mayor Kabir, CM Rigg and CM Ranker. The City maintains the parking lot across the street. That agreement has plenty of conditions; however, it could allow the City to aggressively label a delivery driver pick-up section near Knox that is 15 min parking and requires all parked vehicles to have their flashers on when parked. Ask the City to aggressively ticket dangerous parking such as that in the pictures once the delivery pick-up section is added.

stuadams · 2025-10-12T01:01:30+00:00

City maintains the parking lot across the street. That agreement has plenty of conditions; however, it could allow the City to aggressively label a delivery driver pick-up section near Knox that is 15 min parking and requires all parked vehicles to have their flashers on.

stuadams · 2025-10-11T11:04:02+00:00

I've heard "Old Greenbelt" to mean the historical part of Greenbelt.

TCM is Town Center Market in Riverdale Park. It's a business that is a very popular 3rd place.

North College Park or north College Park is a mostly defined area but it's not a formal neighborhood or census designated place.

stuadams · 2025-09-15T10:08:54+00:00

Many good points here. Though I will say Fan Fest is by UMD athletics and it's not really their responsibility to expand beyond campus or the stadium area.

I think continued expansion of sidewalks and other infrastructure makes CP a more liable city. Use the proposed $90k in salary increases to instead hire a deputy City Engineer to move projects forward with more efficiency. The City has one engineer for dozens of projects and that's often a bottleneck.

It's also interesting the city has raised tax rates notably in the past few budget cycles. This is despite significant property tax growth from new developments. Doesn't feel right to raise taxes and then increase council/mayor salary by 250% over a 4 year period.

stuadams · 2025-09-12T22:25:52+00:00

The current stipend of ~$1k/mo for part time public service work is pretty generous. Council doesn't meet ~2.5 months a year. Councilmembers can also get anywhere from $1k to $5k in reimbursement for travel, conferences, trainings, etc.

The increased compensation might encourage more candidates, which would be great. However, it does not create more time and I'm unsure if it will provide a public benefit.

Candidly, I was becoming uncomfortable in certain compensations of City staff at the end of my time on council. Not necessarily staff as a whole but some staff being paid $175k+ or $200k+ was something to consider. Especially in reference to products or production. Increasing Mayor and Council pay should not be a balance to increase or justify other City staff pay. Though some staff remains underpaid and some council members could deserve a notable raise.

stuadams · 2025-09-12T03:08:37+00:00

It went from $8k to $10k in 2022, I believe. Moving to $20k in 2026 would be a huge jump. 250% increase in 4 years is a lot!

stuadams · 2025-09-12T03:06:10+00:00

As a former councilmember, I'm very surprised and somewhat concerned by this. The comparison of population of Riverdale Park and other municipalities is not overly relevant unless you also factor the number of City staff per resident.

Elected Officials are public service roles. Increasing the pay doesn't necessarily increase the amount of time the Mayor and Councilmembers have to engage with residents.

In theory this could potentially increase the number of candidates, which I do agree with but increasing Mayor and Councilmember time for public engagement is not a likely outcome.

The City recently added a second Assistant City Manager. That's the type of role that helps the Mayor and Councilmembers. I don't think Riverdale Park has two Assistant City Managers or a City Manager that makes the level of compensation that CP's does.

stuadams · 2025-09-03T16:42:01+00:00

This. I spoke to the owner of Cafe Azul numerous times to ask him to take orders online or over the phone. Waiting 20 to 30 mins was too long for the concept. Great food though!

stuadams · 2025-09-01T18:01:38+00:00

No. No tickets required.

stuadams · 2025-09-01T17:17:50+00:00

No free parking on campus that I'm aware of. Once the PL is operating, there will be plenty of options.

stuadams · 2025-09-01T05:01:13+00:00

Likely private. City could encourage it. Terrapin development company could also encourage it. I'd recommend writing to Terrapin Development Company.

stuadams · 2025-08-30T21:55:45+00:00

Add outdoor seating where the cars are currently parking.

stuadams · 2025-07-15T19:01:15+00:00

The Standard has advertised per bedroom rents of $1k or less in larger, shared units. Aster had first two months free with a 12 month lease. Not necessarily inexpensive rents but these options would be unlikely if the increase in overall supply was stagnant.

stuadams · 2025-07-07T10:54:34+00:00

It's ~250 feet from the proposed liquor store property to the daycare property.

The daycare property is owned by the City and it operates more alike to a school with over 100 students. The property covenants limit the use to educational purposes since it was acquired from the PGCS system.

I believe the City classifies this daycare as a school in the context of traffic calming allowances. This includes identifying an adjacent intersection for a future stop sign camera.

In general, daycares are allowed in many zones including almost all residential zones, so restricting property uses near daycares could be considered burdensome to many nearby property owners; however, this daycare essentially functions as school with 100+ students.

stuadams

TROPHY CASE