Community Engagement: Key Takeaways

This Plan reflects interviews with key stakeholders and partner agencies, online office hours with residents, feedback received during and after public events, community surveys, and briefings with decision-makers and elected officials. A summary of feedback received from active participants:

LAND USE

• Want increased density and more housing types, especially with the coming of the Purple Line light rail system. • Do not increase development if it comes at the cost of losing trees.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

• Enjoy proximity to businesses along the US 1 (Baltimore Avenue) and MD 193 (University Boulevard) corridors, as well as the Mall at Prince George’s. • Interested in smaller neighborhood-serving businesses, including retail opportunities and restaurants reflective of the community’s ethnic diversity, close to the Purple Line station.

TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY

• Concerned about the intersection of

Adelphi Road, Campus Drive, and • MD 193 (University Boulevard), particularly regarding congestion, safety, noise, lack of pedestrian and bicycle connections, and no sense of place. • Perceive lack of pedestrian and bicycle safety and access in the area, especially at the intersection, and want more connectivity, including sidewalks. • Positive reception of the Purple Line and the

Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Station, which will serve as an additional, perhaps more formal, entrance to the University of Maryland.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

• Concerned about the impacts of additional development and the creation of more surfaces impervious to stormwater, requiring additional controls to prevent flooding and protect water quality. • Surrounding community prioritizes preservation of natural areas. • Concerned about the possible impact of approved development applications on green infrastructure and global warming.

HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS

• Want more affordable housing, particularly along the Purple Line corridor, and housing focused on the needs of neighborhoods adjacent to the Sector

Plan area, UMD students, and employees.

COMMUNITY HERITAGE, CULTURE, AND DESIGN

• Sector Plan area feels like the back door to UMD, or a “no man’s land,” because it is not visually appealing and feels isolated

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

• Support green space in the community as a contribution toward overall community health.

PUBLIC FACILITIES

• Desire additional community parks and open spaces.

Word cloud summarizing the inputs received during the Visioning Workshop (April 14, 2021). Participants provided inputs on what they valued in the plan area and what they would like to see more of.

Word cloud of the participant responses for the six-word headline exercise during the Visioning Workshop (April 14, 2021). Participants were asked to describe their vision for the plan area in about six words.