Inside Scoop

It could change the landscape of our university in an incredible and positive way not only aesthetically but from an economic development and destination perspective. It is probably one of the most important aspects of our masterplan and we get bupkus information or coverage. I wanna know what the dealio is on this project.

They aren't actively working on anything. I haven't heard about it in years.

This is super interesting to me too and it would be awesome if someone was a little more hooked into the details of this project

The University of Maryland has plans to redevelop 38 acres of land along US1/Baltimore Ave. The University and Master Developer, the Cordish Companies, plan to partner with Clark Construction and Design Collective to design and build the project. Phase 1 of the project will occupy approximately 8 acres of the redevelopment site and is slated to include a 266-key conference hotel with18,000 square feet of retail and a 700-space garage, two graduate student housing towers, and an additional 70,000 square feet of retail. The hotel is expected to be built by David Hillman of Southern Management Company, which is located in Vienna, Virginia. There are also plans for a light rail station as part of the proposed Purple Line development. The University of Maryland is looking to begin construction in Spring 2013. Visit their website at: http://www.eastcampus.umd.edu/

Taken from this site: http://collegeparkmd.gov/EconomicDevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/College-Park-Development-Update-May-20121.pdf

If 40-50k of that is a grocer I think it'll do just fine. The reason there's so much turnover in the retail on Route 1 is because all of the landlords charge ridiculous rates. Without really looking into it, I'd guess that adding such a large block of retail would be somewhat dilutive to rental rates which would help the retailers.

In reverse chronological order

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/opinion/staff-editorial-into-the-belly-of-the-east-1.2865038#.T7-K_9VI9cY

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/students-push-for-more-input-on-east-campus-development-plans-1.2864048#.T7-LAtVI9cY

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/east-campus-preparations-forge-ahead-1.2830642#.T7-LDNVI9cY

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/opinion/staff-editorial-an-east-campus-campaign-1.2765991#.T7-LI9VI9cY

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/plans-unveiled-for-east-campus-1.2764193#.T7-LJNVI9cY

Not sure if they can get a grocery store in there depending on what happens in Riverdale Park (down the road on Rt. 1). There is discussion about bringing a Whole Foods to Riverdale Park which would probably squash any attempt to bring in a grocery store on East Campus.

Who knows - here is the latest news on the issue: http://riverdalepark.patch.com/articles/cafritz-proceedings-to-resume-friday-morning