City Council Applies For Sustainability Program

The College Park City Council's decision to apply for the Sustainable Communities Program brings the city one step closer to funding that could help revitalize—and green—the community.

Sustainable Communities are areas designated by the state that are eligible to apply for grants and loans for projects aimed at “sustainable living and revitalization”, according to Veronica Owens, Community Legacy Program manager for Prince George’s County. 

Terry Schum, College Park Planning Director, said the Sustainable Communities Program takes into account environmental issues, public infrastructure, transportation issues, pedestrian and bicycle facilitates, and encourages more people to use public transit instead of their own vehicle. 

College Park Councilmember Patrick Wojahn said the program – which began designations last year –  will allow the city to build on already established revitalization plans to improve sustainability in areas that have seen a decline. 

“There are so many environmental issues that will affect our city, state, country, and planet in the future with issues like global warming, [the city] is serious about protecting our environment,” Wojahn said. 

Michael Stiefvater, College Park economic development coordinator, said College Park is seeking full-city designation in order to keep options open in applying for grants.

“Under the Program, communities don’t have to apply for full-city designation, but we wanted to be able to apply for funds in other places in the city and not just one area,” Stiefvater said.

However, the target areas for revitalization assistance will include the US Route 1 Corridor, the College Park Metro Station, and the Hollywood and Berwyn neighborhood commercial districts, according to the April 10 College Park Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting Agenda.  

The four target areas were selected, Schum said, because the city previously had community development projects and revitalization plans in those areas, and the city expects to build on the existing plans.

Stiefvater said College Park will determine the amount the city will seek in grants and loans in the next application cycle for funds, which is in the upcoming months.

Grants and loans – like the $1.3 million received since 2001 from the state for the Route 1 Corridor – were previously used around the city for projects such as the construction of brick sidewalks, pedestrian street lights, banners, murals and a new parking garage in downtown College Park, according to Schum.

Stiefvater said, under the Program, the city hopes to use funds for projects such as the construction of parks and the demolishment of vacant buildings.

Sustainable Communities receive funding through a local government and community development organizations funding source known as the Community Legacy Program, which began in 2002, according to Owens. The program’s budget covers projects for the entire state of Maryland and receives funding from the state budget.  

Schum said, as College Park is one of the area’s older communities, the Sustainable Communities Program will be an important resource for various revitalization projects around the community.

“We are an older, inside the beltway community that needs to revitalize existing land-use and focus on sustainability into the future,” Schum said.