WORK SESSION of the Greenbelt City Council held Wednesday, May 30, 2007, for the purpose of meeting with the President/CEO of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC).

 Mayor Davis started the meeting at 7:35 p.m. It was held in the Senior Classroom of the Community Center.

 PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Leta M. Mach, Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

 STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager, and David E. Moran, Assistant City Manager.

 ALSO PRESENT WERE: Kwasi Holman, President/CEO of PGEDC; Kap Kapastin, Beltway Plaza; Sheldon Goldberg; Brian St. George, News Review, and Andrea Smith, The Gazette

 Mr. Holman began by indicating that Prince George’s County was being looked at differently by investors, commercial developers and retailers. He called this a “tipping point” and believed the county was ready to make a great leap forward. Mr. Holman stated the county had overcome obstacles and its reputation had improved.

 He cited recent meetings with retailers and General Services Administration (GSA) officials who indicated they had not been familiar with the county in the past but were looking at it now. He also reported on the recent International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) convention in Las Vegas and indicated there was significant competition for tenants.

 Mr. Holman believed there was an opportunity to capture department stores and retailers that are not currently located in the county. He indicated a desire to work with the City and hoped the City would take advantage of current market conditions and work with the county to attract these retailers and employers.

 Mayor Davis asked about the incentives the county uses to attract commercial development and why these were necessary. Mr. Holman responded that many retailers will not come into a particular community without incentives such as TIFs or infrastructure improvements. He noted Prince George’s incentives were not as generous as those offered by other jurisdictions.

 Mr. Kapastin believed that the county was overcoming some undeserved perceptions about the availability of workers and attractive housing choices. He also indicated that other counties had attracted these high-end retailers and were successful in getting Prince George’s residents to shop there.

 There was discussion about the need for affordable/workforce housing. Mr. Holman indicated that the county had affordable rental housing, but lacked more affordable opportunities to purchase good quality homes.

 Mr. Putens stated that Greenbelt had worked in the past to get the best residential and commercial projects for the community. He noted that “affordable” often had a negative connotation, but that this did not need to be the case.

 Mr. Herling expressed the need to have people live and work in the same location and asked if these “links” could be strengthened. Mr. Holman cited the need for transit-oriented developments like the Mosaic project in Hyattsville.

 Ms. Mach was glad to hear that the county’s commercial reputation was changing. She asked how the reputation about “living in the county” could be changed. Mr. Holman described a plan for a public-private partnership to market the county as a good place to live. He wanted people to feel proud to live in Prince George’s County.

 Mr. Putens noted that young people often leave the county because they cannot afford to buy a home here. He asked what government and the private sector could do to solve that problem. Mr. Holman responded that he was working with MNCPPC to convene a conference on this topic.

 Mayor Davis asked about the vacancy rate for office buildings in the county. Mr. Kapastin responded that the rate was 11-17% depending on location within the county. Mr. Holman noted that the county needed to increase the presence of federal agencies here.

 Mayor Davis wondered what PGCEDC was doing to assist Greenbelt West developers. Mr. Holman reported on meetings held at the recent ICSC convention with retailers and restaurants. Mayor Davis asked about help for independent (non-chain) restaurants and stores. Mr. Holman indicated that PGCEDC was helping these retailers to expand and franchise.

 Mr. Herling urged Mr. Holman and the county to apply the same energy used toward securing top rated retail toward securing firms dedicated to research and development for alternative energy and environmental concerns.  He noted that the areas of future growth were in these fields. Mr. Holman stated that with NASA nearby, there was a need to focus on businesses that support their mission.

 Ms. Mach inquired about working with the immigrant community. Mr. Holman responded that his office had employees who spoke Spanish and was also trying to build international relationships.

 Mayor Davis thanked Mr. Holman for a good and candid discussion.

 The meeting ended at 9:45 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

 David E. Moran
Assistant City Manager

 

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