UMd., MTA Work Toward Campus Safety

Purple Line may not open doors past 10 p.m. on UMd.’s campus

Metro's Purple Line may keep its doors closed after 10 p.m. at the three light rail stops proposed for University of Maryland’s campus, according to Vice President for Facilities Management Carlo Colella. The university has presented this option amid Purple Line negotiations with and Maryland Transit Administration in an effort to safeguard campus borders and check campus crime.  Currently, security officials at the school close almost all entrances to UMD at 10 p.m., and check each driver who enters campus. “The campus has porous borders,” Colella said. “If someone intended to gain access with the Purple Line, we now have that risk.” But for many students, the trek to UMd. from proposed off-campus light-rail stops seems unnecessary.  “…

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Sarah Wayland

9:16 am on Sunday, June 3, 2012

OK, so let's pretend I'm a criminal. I rob someone. Then I run to the nearest metro stop and wait for a train. If there's a train there, I get on the train car and sit in an enclosed space while people can get to me and I have nowhere to run. No criminal would be that stupid. I really hope the University comes to its senses. This will not help students who want to use Metro to get off campus, or …   more ›

Hazy Future for Purple Line Funding

State funding hurting from gas tax rejection. Future federal funding uncertain until 2015.

  The Purple Line, the proposed 16-mile light rail transit system extending from New Carrollton to Bethesda, could be missing one vital component for its progression: funding. With the Maryland budget in crisis and a congressional stalemate over highway funding, the Purple Line’s construction could be pushed back, although several officials interviewed about the project would not predict how long the delay might be. The federal government approved preliminary engineering for the project in October, qualifying it for funding through New Starts, a federal program for new transit projects such as the Purple Line, bringing it a significant step closer to construction. From there, cost estimates and construction schedules could be fine-tuned …

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jag

2:33 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

What an odd collection of "facts" (look any of them up, they're all off...by a lot). Debt is 15 trillion not 5. China is nowhere near the largest single holder of USgov debt. They're the largest foreign holder of securities (very barely beating out Japan, I believe), if that's what you're trying to say. Besides, who cares who owns our crappy T-bills? They pay out basically nothing; they're a …   more ›

West Campus Purple Line Vision Takes Shape

Planners lay out possible future cityscape surround light rail transit station near intersection of Adelphi Road, University Boulevard and Campus Drive.

Last night, area residents got a glimpse of how their feedback was being interpreted by planners and urban designers tasked with drawing up plans for the neighborhoods in the vicinity of the West Campus Purple Line Stations. Speaking before about two dozen area residents in the first floor meeting room of the Hyattsville Library on Adelphi Road, planners laid out a preliminary vision of mixed use neighborhoods linked by an improved network pedestrian trails and bicycle lanes making it easier to access the proposed multi-modal transit hub. Area residents in attendance were receptive, but stressed that they did not want to see too drastic changes to certain elements of their neighborhoods.  Beverly Silverberg, President of College Heights …

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What it Takes to Be a Top College Town

University and city officials strive to make College Park a top college town by 2020, ranking among the likes of Lawrence, KS and Ames, IA.

In 2010, the American Institute for Economic Research compiled a list of the top 10 college towns in the United States. Factors included location, quality of life and research opportunities, all things the organization says lead to the picture-perfect feel of a traditional college town. College Park didn’t make the cut. Not only excluded by AIER, College Park didn’t make recent lists of top college towns by two other influential rankings, the Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Critics of College Park say the city simply does not cater to the more than 30,000 students at the University of Maryland, who make up a sizable portion of College Park’s population. “College Park just seems sort of run-down outside the campus boundaries…

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MEETING NOTES: Ethics Code and Budget Changes

Couldn't make it to the council meeting Tuesday night? Here's what happened.

It was a short meeting Tuesday evening for the College Park Mayor and Council. In case you couldn’t make it to City Hall or tune in online, Patch has a summary of the votes. The video from the meeting will be archived here. Consent Agenda The items of the consent agenda were passed unanimously, with Councilman Robert Catlin (Dist. 2) and Councilwoman Denise Mitchell (Dist. 4) absent. Council voted to amend the city’s lease with Ledo Restaurant, Inc., deferring some of the base rent due before June. Arrangements to repay the deferment are included in the amendment. The city approved a resolution to appoint up to 14 members to a “Green Team” to help the city achieve Sustainable Maryland Certification. The Maryland Stingers Women’s Rugby Club…

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Flash Mob in Silver Spring Promotes Purple Line

Members of Action Committee for Transit staged a protest for the Purple Line Thursday.

Purple Line Advocates Plan Flash Mob Thursday

The flash mob is planned for 5 p.m. on the Red Line.

Advocates from the Purple Line project are planning a flash mob Thursday during the evening rush hour.  The Action Committee for Transit is hoping the flash mob planned for 5 p.m. at the Silver Spring metro station will draw attention for the need of the Purple Line in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. The light rail system would connect New Carrollton and Bethesda with 21 stations in between to stretch across 16.3 miles. The project, estimated to cost $1.6 billion, is still only in the planning stages. Ted Van Houten, a board member for Action Committee for Transit, said Thursday morning that the flash mob will not disrupt the evening rush hour traffic flow as the group will be set up on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Colesville …

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West Campus Station Could Improve Pedestrian Safety, Revitalize Neighborhood, Officials Say

In addition to the Purple Line Station, a new apartment building nearby could mean major revitalization for the area.

Residents gathered Wednesday evening to share their concerns and ideas for the proposed Purple Line West Campus Station, and they learned about a nearby apartment complex that could be complete by summer 2013. The combination of this these two developments, along with the University of Maryland future master plan could lead to revitalization and “interesting opportunities” in the area, said Dannielle Glaros, a representative from District 3 County Councilman Eric Olson’s office. The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile light rail that will run from New Carrollton to Bethesda, with three stops in College Park. The West Campus Station would sit on Campus Drive in College Park in front of the UMUC/Inn and Conference Center, and would be anchored…

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