Connectivity + placemaking: Unlocking development around transit at the Branch Av. Metro station, with RISE Prince George’s.
On Oct. 3, 2023, in collaboration with RISE Prince George’s, we explored Prince George’s effort to focus future growth within the beltway and established communities by taking a look at the Branch Avenue Metro station area. We were welcomed by District 8 Council Member Ed Burroughs, III. Following the Council Member, we discussed Metro station area planning and development, zoning, street design, and walk and bike access. We then walked to Apollo Restaurant Row and convened a panel discussion on Prince George’s emerging placemaking initiatives.
Brittney Drakeford, urban planner, speaks to the group about creative placemaking. Pictured: District 8 Council Member Ed Burroughs, in the middle facing the group.
Thank you for joining us on Tuesday, August 15 for a conversation with Council Member Eric Olson on the Walkable Urban Streets Act, landmark legislation that would ensure safer road designs for people walking and biking near transit districts and local centers.
On November 9, 2022, RISE Prince George’s and CSG hosted a discussion with Metro and Prince George’s County to talk about how we can get more frequent, reliable, and accessible bus service that better meets the needs of riders and residents in Prince George’s and our region. These transit providers are seeking input as they look to redesign the bus network and prioritize buses on local roads.
RISE Prince George’s Kyle Reeder moderated this session. Maryland Delegate Jazz Lewis provided opening remarks. From WMATA, we heard from Allison Davis, Metro’s Vice President of Planning, and Raka Choudhury, Director of Bus Priority. Joining us from Prince George’s Department of Public Works and Transportation was Semia Hackett, Associate Director of Transportation, and Efon Epanty, Chief of Planning and Innovation.
On June 1, 2022, RISE Prince George’s and CSG hosted on online discussion with Randy Dittberner, PE, PTOE (formerly with Virginia Dept. of Transportation).
Let’s get together (outdoors) to celebrate and look forward to the upcoming election year!
Join us on December 13 from 6:00-8:00 pm to celebrate our year of work together and look to next year — which is an election year! We’ll hear from the new Hyattsville Mayor Kevin “Scooter” Ward and other presenters who can speak to our past, present, and future of creating dynamic gathering spaces (Downtowns), more affordable housing, and innovative transportation for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Prince George’s County.
Transit Directions: The market is located directly adjacent to the Riverdale MARC Station but is also just a short last-mile connection (walk, bike, or bus) from the Prince George’s Plaza Metro Station
Celebrate a year promoting our agenda of a shared, sustainable prosperity by creating safe, walkable, inclusive and transit-oriented communities.
Learn from community leaders, including Hyattsville Mayor Kevin “Scooter” Ward
Launch the RISE Prince George’s election platform to educate candidates and the public about how to build a better Prince George’s. Learn about how you can be part of winning support from our future elected officials to build a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive County.
Photo: Mayor Kevin “Scooter” Ward, City of Hyattsville, MD
COVID-19 precautions: we encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated. This event is held outside, so bundle up! RISE Prince George’s does not endorse or work on behalf of candidates, or express any view for or against any candidate.
On December 13, 2021, we launched our RISE Prince George’s election platform to educate candidates and the public about how to build a better Prince George’s. We will be working with constituents and allies to reaching out to candidates targeted County Council and General Assembly races to build support with our future elected officials to build a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive County.
Mission Statement: RISE Prince George’s is a group of County residents and allies advocating for policies and practices that build shared, sustainable prosperity in Prince George’s County by creating safe, walkable, inclusive and transit-oriented communities.
Vision: We seek to build a prosperous, equitable and sustainable future Prince George’s that contains:
Multiple thriving transit-focused downtowns (North, Central, and Southern parts of the County)
Inclusive, safe, and connected neighborhoods and municipalities
Preserved open spaces and natural areas
Assumptions: With 15 Metro stations, another 11 Purple Line stations on the way, and 8 MARC stations, the County’s transit assets are THE competitive advantage – for promoting future job growth, local economic development, and generating needed increases in the County’s tax base. Prince George’s also has the benefit of planning for a future which currently forecasts increased job growth, demand to live near transit, and the need for more homes near jobs and transit.
Objective: Through developing a strategy for shared prosperity and equitable development that is generated from and advocated by and for Prince Georgians (and their allies), we can create a virtuous cycle of economic growth which retains homegrown talent and businesses, attracts new investment, and improves both people and places – especially those historically excluded from wealth and opportunity.
Equitable economic development through transit-oriented development (TOD) will create the base of public and private resources that are necessary to support high-performing schools, community-oriented public safety services, increasing the amount of high-quality housing for people of all incomes close to jobs and essential services, as well as better employment, entrepreneurship, retail amenities, and wealth-building opportunities for all County residents.
How RISE Prince George’s will accomplish its vision: We will work with our members to educate, engage and mobilize for a policy agenda that reshapes policy and budget priorities to build on the County’s assets – transit, established communities, and the kinds of anchor institutions which drive job creation and economic growth.
We meet regularly (every 4-6 weeks), host programming (both virtual and, eventually, in-person) to educate/engage our members, and, in turn, formulate action plans for specific policy change campaigns.
Summary of potential long-term policy agenda:
Win equitable placemaking and transit-oriented development projects that begin to demonstrate what an inclusive walkable urban and smart growth future in Prince George’s could look like
Win land use and housing policy changes to sustainably grow the economy, livability, community benefits and equity of opportunity among residents
Win key transportation investments and policies to greatly improve the quality, safety, affordability and reliability of public transportation and access to daily needs, especially for low income people and communities
We embrace the Prince George’s Rising proposed county-wide Alliance for Equity and Prosperity, and see our group contributing to it, specifically focused on the TOD organizing strategy for equity.
