The Bowie Marketplace is looking at a storage company and a car wash for a vacant lot that was supposed to have apartments, but after community pushback, the city is now just gathering feedback before making any decisions next year.
Here are the highlights:
- The Bowie Marketplace Shopping Center owner has been approached by a storage company and car wash for a 5-acre parcel.
- The parcel was originally intended for 400 apartment units but faced strong resident opposition.
- The city initially supported residential development but ultimately agreed to 225 units, which did not attract funding.
- The site has remained vacant for six years, leading to a recall campaign against District 2 Councilmember Diane Polangin.
- Berman Enterprises is holding a virtual community meeting on October 3rd to discuss the proposal.
- The city will hold its own virtual meeting on October 12th to gather community feedback.
- No decision on the proposal is expected until 2023.
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Marketplace Approached by Storage and Car Wash
The owner of the Bowie Marketplace Shopping Center on Annapolis Road, has been approached by a storage company and car wash prospect. The businesses are interested in setting up on the 5 acre parcel that was in past years intended for 400 apartment units.
The Marketplace shopping center was initially an investment holding for Maryland-based Berman Enteprises. The shopping center previously faced years vacant storefronts, loitering and blight. Heavy lobbying from the city spurred the company to demolish the previous mall and start fresh with new tenants, anchored by Harris Teeter.
As an incentive for the redevelopment, the city agreed to support residential development at the location. Though when the commercial structures were rebuilt and new business tenants moved in, strong resident opposition to proposed 400 apartment units behind the main strip caused the city to reconsider. Following a series of contentious public meetings, the city ultimately agreed to 225 units.
The number of units proved to be too low to attract funding for the apartments. The parcel where the housing was intended sat vacant as grass and surplus parking for six years
The compromise also failed to satisfy residents, who launched a recall campaign against District 2 Councilmember Diane Polangin. The effort was the first successful recall of an elected official in Maryland. Polangin was in her fifth council term, having been previously reelected with over 70% of the vote.
Berman Enterprises is holding a virtual community meeting to discuss the prospect on Monday, October 3rd at 8:30 accessible on Zoom here.
The city will hold its own virtual meeting on the topic Wednesday, October 12th at 7pm. These are early meetings to solicit community feedback. No decision is expected until 2023.
Image by Paul Gillespie featured in the Bowie Blade, 2016.