WORK SESSION of the Greenbelt City Council held Wednesday, August 1, 2007, for the purpose of holding a stakeholder meeting with representatives of Capital Office Park.

 Mayor Davis started the meeting at 8:02 p.m. It was held in the Multipurpose Room of the Community Center.

 PRESENT WERE: Councilmembers Konrad E. Herling, Leta M. Mach, 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: John Adderly, Vice-President of Mack-Cali; Michael Hueston, Property Manager, Mack-Cali; Thomas White, News Review; and Bill Orleans

 There were introductions. Mayor Davis explained the “stakeholder meeting” program. Mr. Adderly explained that Mack-Cali, which now owns Capital Office Park, had just completed the purchase of the three undeveloped lots next to the federal courthouse.

 Mayor Davis asked if the purchase of Capital Office Park and the transition of ownership had gone smoothly. Mr. Hueston explained that while the process took some time, everything had gone well. He reported that most of the same staff and contractors would remain in place.

 Mayor Davis asked about the vacancy rate. Mr. Adderly indicated that the county vacancy rate was 18-24%. He indicated that not all office space experienced the same vacancy rate and that Capital Office Park was a superior property in a superior location. Mr. Adderly reported that currently the Park was 89% leased. He indicated that Capital Office Park had leased the vacant parcel at Kenilworth & Ivy to Old Line Bank. Mr. Adderly noted that Hewlett-Packard was leaving; Hewlett-Packard leased an entire building, and COP is now working aggressively to attract a new tenant.

 Mayor Davis stated that Capital Office Park had always been a great property with nice architecture and landscaping.

 Mr. Roberts asked if the property met the specifications for Class A office space. Mr. Hueston responded yes. Mr. Roberts asked about prospects for the undeveloped sites on Cherrywood Lane. Mr. Adderly responded that there had been some interest from large clients. In response to a question about building based on speculation, Mr. Adderly responded that Mack-Cali generally builds on signed deals.

 Mayor Davis asked about the plans for the small parcel near the State Highway Administration salt dome. Mr. Adderly indicated that they were actively marketing that property as well.

 Next, there was discussion about the vacant parcel at Kenilworth and Ivy (Parcel A). Mayor Davis stated there were so many banks, she can’t believe another bank is needed. Mr. Adderly reported that Old Line Bank was already operating out of 6301 Ivy Lane. Mayor Davis stressed the City’s interest in seeing nothing developed on Parcel A and having it donated to the City.

 Mr. Roberts asked if there was a way to trade the density on Parcel A to another site within the Park. Mr. Adderly responded that the deal with Old Line was signed, but they were committed to keeping it as green as possible. Mayor Davis stressed the need to preserve the trees.

 Mr. Herling asked about where the building would be located on the vacant parcels next to the Courthouse. Mr. Adderly responded that most of that space was a field. He noted they could install three buildings with structured parking. It was noted that 47,000 sf was approved for the parcel next to the salt dome and about 540,000 for the three parcels on Cherrywood Lane.

 Mayor Davis stressed the value of LEED-certified buildings. Mr. Adderly responded that his company was looking at applying these standards to all their buildings.  

Mr. Herling reported on the City’s effort to hold a transportation charrette in Greenbelt West. Ms. Mach asked how many Capital Office Park employees used Metro. Mr. Hueston indicated that he often takes Metro and walks to his office at the Park.

Mayor Davis and Ms. Mach asked about Mack-Cali’s community involvement. Mr. Adderly responded that Mack-Cali wanted to be active and involved in the community. He stressed that Mack-Cali was a long-term owner and rarely sold its properties.

In response to a question, Mr. Adderly noted that the “park bench” newsletter was returning.

Mr. Adderly described Mack-Cali as a publicly owned REIT. He indicated that most of their holdings were in the Boston, New York and New Jersey markets. Their focus was Boston to Washington, DC. He reported they were drawn to the Washington market because it was a dynamic market and said they were looking for assets to buy in the area.

 Mr. Herling announced the Utopia Film Festival in October and announced an International Cultural Festival next May.

 Other Business

Mr. Roberts reported a pile of trash that appeared to have been dumped near the Hamilton Place garden and Hamilton Cemetery marker.

 Ms. Mach announced that next Tuesday was National Night Out. She asked if the Old Greenbelt neighborhood watch was doing anything. Staff agreed to provide any details.

 Mayor Davis reported that the General Manager of WMATA had made a commitment to improve their relationship with local governments by creating a development task force to work on the issue. Mayor Davis distributed some documents from a recent Council of Governments retreat.

 Mayor Davis discussed the public safety/Spellman overpass issue. Staff noted that CRAB, PSAC and YAC were working on the issue. Mr. Orleans stated that Council should be taking the lead and not delegating the issue to advisory groups. Mayor Davis thanked Mr. Orleans for his comments. Mr. Roberts believed the Council should be concerned about what people are doing on both sides of the bridge and make sure there was a police presence there. Mr. Herling believed referring this issue to advisory groups was consistent with past practices.

 The meeting ended at 9:35 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,
 David E. Moran
Assistant City Manager

 

 

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