South Bowie residents are voicing their concerns about local economic development, focusing on the need for better businesses and restaurants, more city control over growth, and improving community vibes. They’re also worried about the potential closure of Pointer Ridge Elementary and want to attract stores like Trader Joe’s to the area.
Here are the highlights:
- South Bowie residents discussed economic development concerns at a City Hall meeting.
- The Bowie Economic Development Committee is gathering feedback for a recommendation report to the City Council.
- Residents expressed concerns about the quality of businesses, with many fast-food establishments and a lack of upper-tier restaurants.
- There is a desire for more city control over local development, which is currently dominated by the county.
- Residents want improved walkability and a greater community feel.
- Concerns were raised about the proposed closure of Pointer Ridge Elementary School and its implications.
- The Economic Development Committee plans to involve local officials in discussions about land use and school issues.
- Business development discussions highlight the need for better retail options and nicer restaurants in Bowie.
- Feedback from business owners indicates a preference for locations near high-density housing for attracting restaurants and retail stores.
- Past economic development efforts in Bowie have faced challenges, including resident pushback against proposed housing developments.
- The City Council has tasked the Economic Development Director to study areas for revitalization.
- The South Lake development is underway, expected to include a Giant and new commercial retail, along with residential units.
- Resident feedback on economic development continues to be collected through an online survey.
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South Bowie Residents Talk Economic Development
South Bowie residents met Thursday night at City Hall to discuss economic development concerns.
Members of the Bowie Economic Development Committee (EDC) heard resident feedback as part of a fact-finding process. The committee is gathering information from residents and businesses for a recommendation report to the City Council in September.
The defined area runs from 301 to Church Road between Mount Oak Road and 214. Its primary shopping center is Pointer Ridge Plaza.
Common themes were concerns about business quality with a prevalence of new fast-food establishments, gas stations, and convenience stores opening, as well as a lack of upper tier restaurants and grocery stores.
Residents called for more city control over local development, currently a county-dominated process. Some residents expressed a desire for improved walkability and a greater community feel. Several residents referenced the Trader Joe's recently opened in College Park and asked about renewing local efforts to attract a similar grocer to the city.
One Collington Station resident expressed concerns about the proposed closure of Pointer Ridge Elementary School, coupled with the opening of a convenience and tobacco store as sending the wrong message to residents.
Pointer Ridge Elementary, at 48% capacity, was recommended for closure last year by the county school system. Following organized parent protest, the school system proposed delaying the closure by one year to reevaluate student attendance in the event of a post-pandemic uptick.
Members of the Economic Development Committee stated they would include School Board Member Dr. Zipporah Miller and Prince George's County Council Member Ingrid Watson in conversations related to Pointer Ridge Elementary and land use.
Business development has been a recent major topic of conversation in Bowie. Residents in more parts of the city have expressed a desire for better retail and nicer restaurants, something ultimately determined by commercial landlords and private business owners.
Months of conversations with business owners have produced consistent feedback: restaurateurs and retail stores increasingly prioritize locating near high-density housing communities geared towards young professionals or retirees with disposable income. Help navigating Prince George's County's notoriously unpredictable permitting process, and direct cash incentives, are also common asks.
Neighboring College Park, where Trader Joe's and several exclusive restaurants recently opened, undertook a decades-long economic development strategy that saw the construction of thousands of luxury apartment units along the Route 1 corridor and payments totaling $750,000 to specific restaurants.
Past economic development efforts in Bowie have been mixed. The city similarly paid $750,000 for the demolition of the mostly vacant Marketplace Shopping Center and initially agreed to 285 luxury apartment units as a part of a total revitalization.
Resident pushback against the apartments ultimately prevented the housing component and soured local business feelings towards the city. Subsequent plans for the Marketplace Shopping Center included a multi-story storage facility and car wash. Efforts to bring a local, independent restaurant and lounge faced opposition from a small group of residents and faltered.
Responding to resident feedback, the City Council tasked its Economic Development Director and Economic Development Committee to study specific areas for revitalization. Prior to the South Bowie effort, the EDC studied and made a series of recommendations for Old Bowie, an effort that continues.
Independent of ongoing efforts, South Bowie will not be without future growth. The South Lake development is underway on the west side of 301, south of 214.
The project, approved in 2019, was controversial for its $30 million Tax Increment Financing agreement that has the city and county effectively subsidizing the project for decades. When complete, the new development is expected to feature a Giant and new commercial retail along with several hundred apartment units, townhomes, and single family homes.
Resident feedback on economic development in South Bowie continues to be gathered via an online survey here.