august2026_collegepark_web

Duvall Field reopens after renovations

By AYLIN AARHUS

After more than 20 years of planning, the newly renovated Duvall Field is ready to open, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for July 31.

The grand opening, billed as Duvall Field Day, will include speeches from city officials, along with a ribbon cutting, games and live music.

“This is a major, major project,” said Mayor Fazlul Kabir, “both in terms of the amenities we have put in, and also the money and the investment we are putting in.”

Duvall Field, located at 9119 Rhode Island Ave., was built in the 1960s and has been renovated multiple times, including in 2017 with the addition of a concession stand, bathrooms and a plaza area.

The recently completed renovation broke ground in March 2025 and included additions like pickleball, bocce and basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, and exercise equipment. The cost for the final phase of the project was $7.95 million, funded by the city and

Mature volunteers work alongside state officials

By ANETTE PEREZ

Ingrid Liburd-Smith, a longtime resident of College Park’s Berwyn neighborhood, works in the office of Maryland Delegate Diana Fennell, who represents District 47A, scheduling, researching policy issues, preparing briefings for hearings and otherwise helping out where needed.

She started there as a volun-

teer in 2023, when she was 57.

“Working with delegates in an office building gives me the ability to directly help and shape impact on public policy,” Liburd-Smith said.

Liburd-Smith’s interest in government and politics began when she enrolled in a University of Maryland (UMD) program called Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy (LLIPP), a part of UMD’s School of Public

Health’s Center on Aging. The program connects Maryland residents ages 50 and older with volunteer positions in the Maryland General Assembly, where participants work alongside elected officials during the legislative session.

Applications are open for the class of 2027. Participants take an 11-week class, which starts in September, to train for the work they will do when the legislative session begins in January.

Many, like Liburd-Smith, stay on as paid employees once their initial session concludes.

And some, like Edith Perry of

Northwest Chinese Food returns to College Park

By JALEN WADE

A popular College Park eatery will make its grand return to the city on Aug. 15, as Northwest Chinese Food combines with its sister location, Li Chun Café, on the plaza at City Hall. The award-winning restaurant was previously at 7313 Baltimore Ave. but closed to make room for a new student apartment building. Northwest Chinese Food was one of several businesses, including Ritchie’s

Colombian Restaurant and Pho Thom, to lose a spot on the strip just south of City Hall.

Xue Ling, brand manager for Li Chun Café, said the restaurant’s owner received offers of space from officials in Greenbelt and the District but wanted to stay in College Park.

“After months of careful consideration, one decision never stopped feeling right: staying in College Park with the community that has supported us for

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City asks for restrictions on ‘accessory’ buildings

By SHARON O’MALLEY

College Park officials have asked Prince George’s County to impose strict requirements on property owners who add backyard cottages and basement apartments as they consider how to enforce a state law that has made it legal to build those units.

The state last year adopted a law requiring counties and cities to allow property owners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs), sometimes called granny flats or in-law suites, in the form of stand-alone buildings, garage build-outs or attic apartments, for example.

Until now, Prince George’s County has not allowed ADUs. The county, which has zoning authority over municipalities including College Park, has created an Accessory Dwelling Units Task Force to establish rules for size, occupancy, parking and other requirements. The state has set an Oct. 1 deadline for counties to adopt legislation creating those rules.

“The state has already said that this is happening, so really [we should be] focusing more on the positive … thinking about what are the regulations that we can put in place to ensure that these units are safe,” College Park City Councilmember Holly Simmons (District 2) said at a July council meeting.

Because College Park, home to the University of Maryland (UMD), has a greaterthan-average population of off-campus tenants, officials have expressed concern that ADUs could accelerate the conversion of single-family homes into denser rental housing, particularly by investors rather than owner-occupants.

nandez (District 1) said. “What’s front of mind of concern is that … if you’re a neighbor to one of these properties, all of a sudden you have a hotel that’s right next to you or … a mini student housing that now holds 10 people, if that’s within the state law.”

The county restricts household size to five unrelated people per home. A homeowner who adds a second structure to the property, then, might be allowed to have five people in each unit.

Hernandez added that an influx of tenants in ADU-style rental units in singlefamily home neighborhoods could create pressure on public services without increasing the city’s tax base.

governments to approve the units by special exception rather than making the process open-ended; to force the property owner to build at least two off-street parking spaces for each new structure; and to require that owners register ADUs if they intend to rent them out, making it easier for cities and the county to ensure compliance with safety and other standards.

Officials have also suggested that no more than one ADU be allowed per lot, and that unit sizes not exceed 1,000 square feet, 50% of the primary dwelling’s footprint or 10% of the lot area, whichever is smaller.

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In a letter to the task force, Mayor Fazlul Kabir noted that roughly 18,980 UMD undergrads—61% of enrollment— live off campus in a city of about 34,740 residents.

“We’re [potentially] adding a large amount of capacity at some of these properties,” Councilmember Jacob Her-

State legislators have said the law, which Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed in April 2025, will increase the amount of affordable housing while generating income for homeowners and allowing families to live together on a single property without crowding into the same house.

Kabir, in his blog Kabir Cares, noted that the units could also present challenges, like an increased demand for parking and changes to the character of single-family neighborhoods.

In two letters to the county, the city has asked that ADU rules allow local

In addition, the city has asked the county to decline any requests by owners to build closer than 3 feet from the property line.

Simmons cast the sole vote against sending the letters to the county. She said she objects to the city’s attempt to restrict the approval process.

“This will incentivize no ADUs,” she said. “If we make it more costly, more expensive, a much more involved public process to get your accessory dwelling unit approved, likely the only people who are going to do that are people with deep pockets, developers, investors in our city.”

Committee advocates for lower speed limits

By AYLIN AARHUS

A resident-led committee has recommended that the College Park City Council install bike racks, lower speed limits and add sidewalks near bus stops.

At a June 9 city council meeting, representatives from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) focused on connecting more of the city with sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as on measures to make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Many neighborhoods in the city were built without any thought that the people who live there might have to leave there by foot or bicycle,” Mark Schroder, BPAC chair, said.

The committee pointed to Greenbelt Road, which has narrow sidewalks and high traffic, and the IKEA near the I-495 ramp, which lacks bicycle access.

The committee also submitted a written fiscal year 2026 annual plan.

The report points out that the intersection of Edgewood Road and 48th Avenue, the location of both a bus stop and a walking path for Hollywood Elementary School students, has a speed limit of 25 mph, the “upper limit recommended for school zones.”

At the council meeting, Schroder explained that a 25 mph speed limit is “only really enforceable” at 45 mph. In other words, drivers are generally pulled over

for driving 20 mph or more over the speed limit, he said.

“If a car hits a pedestrian at 45 miles an hour, the pedestrian is probably going to die,” Schroder said.

For that reason, Schroder said lowering the speed limit to 20 mph in the city is one of BPAC’s priorities.

Shelby Byrd, another BPAC member, told the city council her 5-year-old daughter can’t walk to her bus stop at the top of her neighborhood on St. Andrews Place and Duke Street because of safety concerns.

Byrd said she was shocked at how fast people can drive by her house, despite the two stop signs and speed bumps on her road.

“Folks are still able to reach speeds that would be catastrophic if they were to hit a pedestrian,” Byrd said.

Mayor Pro Tem Maria Mackie (District 4) said she supports lowering speed limits, but said not all drivers will obey them.

“People can choose to go over the speed humps really fast,” Mackie said. “They can choose to not follow the speed limit. They can choose to go through stop signs and

not slow down.”

Mackie said she supports other measures that keep cyclists and pedestrians safe that are “not just slowing people down.”

Schroder also said BPAC had suggested adding funding for bike racks to the city’s 2027 fiscal year budget, which the city council did not do.

Several councilmembers said they support installing more bike racks in the city.

“This is actually an economic development issue in the city,” Councilmember Daniel Oates (District 3) said. “People try to visit College Park businesses or restaurants or other places, and then don’t have anywhere to put their bike.”

Oates said the council decided not to include funding for bike racks because the city could find the money from other areas of the budget or through grants.

Mayor Fazlul Kabir suggested the funding could come from the city’s maintenance or public works budget.

Councilmember Kelly Jordan (District 2) suggested that community members will have an opportunity to advocate for bikeability and walkability when the State Highway Administration holds its community engagement meetings for a Route 1 improvement project.

“If we can get in and come to the table, have a voice, then we can see what we can do about affecting change for College Park,” Jordan said.

New student liaisons begin city council terms

By JALEN WADE

As College Park City Councilmembers said goodbye to their University of Maryland (UMD) student liaisons, their replacements started their year-long terms.

Rising sophomore Emma Martin and rising junior Sami Saeed replaced student liaison Nick DiSpirito and deputy liaison Amira Abujuma, both rising seniors.

DiSpirito said Martin and Saeed, whose terms began in June, have a drive to continue the work he and Abujuma started and bring a fresh perspective to the positions.

“They both bring kind of a combination of a lot of experience,” DiSpirito said, “certainly more than I had when I was their age.”

The student liaison and deputy liaison serve one-year terms that begin every spring. These representatives may not vote on city business, but they participate in weekly council meetings. They also conduct research for council discussions and find experts on various issues to speak to the council.

A government and politics major, Martin spent the past year as co-director of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Transportation and In-

frastructure Committee.

Martin said she wanted to be a liaison because of the student concerns she heard during her work with the SGA.

“I hear a lot of things from a lot of different students,” Martin said. “When you’re dealing with transportation and infrastructure, it’s things like rent and sidewalks and some of

those things that you can’t fix when you’re just working with the administration.”

She said the SGA approved her for the position after she applied and sat for interviews with College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir, two city councilmembers and the SGA.

Martin’s deputy, Saeed, cited his previous experience as a

high school student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education and as an intern in the Maryland General Assembly and in Congress.

“I … have the experience of policy research, which I want to bring to this role,” said Saeed, a public policy major who frequently testifies on behalf of UMD students at city council meetings.

Martin and Saeed said they plan to focus on housing affordability and rent stabilization.

In addition, Saeed, who went to high school with DiSpirito, said he wants the city to create its own police force, an idea backed by Kabir.

Martin said she wants to look into expanding the size of bike lanes in the city.

“I think the bike lanes on Route 1 are too close to the road,” Martin said. “I wouldn’t want to take my bike on that with all the cars.”

Both liaisons said they are anticipating an adjustment period.

“I think just at least at first, figuring out how everything works, like who is best to work with on certain issues, just like figuring out the council itself,” Martin said.

Saeed said he wants to make good use of the limited time he will have as deputy liaison.

“It’s only a year,” Saeed said. “So obviously that’s already a limitation. You can’t try and pursue three to four different things at the same time. There’s only so many council meetings.”

Both liaisons said they want to represent UMD students. They said they will do that, in part, through Instagram.

Kabir said the council and SGA considered four applicants for the liaison position, calling them all “very skilled,” but saying he was impressed with Martin from her work with the SGA.

“She has passion,” Kabir said. “She really wants to make things happen.”

Councilmembers hire interns as federal positions dry up

By AYLIN AARHUS

University of Maryland (UMD) senior Nick DiSpirito is spending the summer reaching out to College Park residents to encourage them to engage with the city by joining committees that focus on issues they care about.

That work is part of DiSpirito’s internship with City Councilmember Denise Mitchell and Mayor Pro Tem Maria Mackie, both from District 4, stemming from a 10-year-old program that allows the officials to hire college students as part-time, paid interns each semester.

DiSpirito, a public policy major, said he sees city internships as a way to “support our students the best way we can” as federal job cuts are “trickling down to students at UMD at an alarming rate.”

The city in July expanded the program.

Rather than allowing the two councilmembers in each of the city’s four districts to hire one shared intern a year, each official may work with three—totaling six per district. In addition, Mayor Fazlul Kabir may work with up to six interns a year.

The written guidelines, published as an attachment to the July 14 council meeting agenda, contain some inconsistent language about per-semester allotments, which Councilmember Ray Ranker (District 3) questioned during the meeting before the guidelines were approved as presented.

Interns earn up to $2,000 per semester for their work, according to Director of Human Resources

Teresa Way-Pezzuti, who said the city has budgeted $33,000 for the program. Way-Pezzuti noted that it is unlikely all councilmembers will work with the maximum number of interns allowed.

In fact, the program has often gone unused by the council, according to Kabir.

Councilmember Dan Oates (District 3) pointed out that not all of his colleagues have time to supervise interns.

“Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t have the capacity to take on [multiple] interns,” Oates said. “I don’t think that it is, at least for the council, a program that should be creating a lot of bureaucracy.”

Still, DiSpirito, who served as the 2025-26 student liaison to the city council, said the program is meant in part to create opportunities for students from UMD and other nearby universities af-

ter cuts to government agencies made internships more difficult to find in a number of fields.

During his term, which will end in December, DiSpirito is running the city’s Quality-of-Life Work Group, which is examining housing issues in West College Park, including affordability, overcrowding and parking concerns. He will help write a report to present to the council in December.

“I hope that we have some great policies that come out of it that benefit all residents of College Park,” DiSpirito said.

Other interns have different projects.

Senior Alexandra Lindgren and 2026 graduate Oliver Slade worked with councilmembers in the spring 2026 semester.

Slade, a public policy major, did community outreach and gathered data on vacant homes in District 3 with Ranker and Oates.

“There’s a lot of recognition that there’s fewer opportunities for students to intern at the federal or state level right now,” Oates said. “There’s lots of students at the university who are eager to have internships, and lots of councilmembers who are eager to avail themselves of interns.”

Lindgren, a criminology and criminal justice major, interned jointly with Alan Hew (District 1) and the city’s Office of Economic

Development.

She worked to educate local business owners about the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, which centralizes data from tools like security cameras and license plate readers for use by law enforcement.

Lindgren also created a presentation for the city council about where the city lacks security camera coverage. She said she

University of Maryland student Nick DiSpirito works as an intern for two members of the College Park City Council. COURTESY OF NICK DISPIRITO

hopes to present it to the council in the fall.

Lindgren said she wasn’t sure there would be a place for her to

intern in local government.

“I didn’t think there would be room for me as a criminology and criminal justice major,” Lindgren said. “I thought it would have to be more into government and politics. But if you look at the councilmembers and what they’re interested in, there’s lots of different variety, and there’s kind of room for everybody.”

Kabir said the program is a “win-win” that benefits the city as well as the student interns. “College Park is a unique place, and we have the University of Maryland in it,” Kabir said. “We have so many students, and they’re all talented. So it is something we should be … tapping into, more for the benefit of the city as a whole.”

North College Park Community Center project behind schedule

By CAIT HEIDERMAN

A Prince George’s County project to build a highly anticipated North College Park Community Center appears to be behind schedule.

In a July 22 email to College Park Here & Now, MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) Capital Projects Coordinator Anne Holtz Schmick said the selection of a designbuild contractor—originally expected in spring 2026—has been pushed to summer “due to ongoing contract negotiations.”

Schmick said further details about the timeline for the project, to be located at 9801 Rhode Island Ave. in the Hollywood Shopping Center, would not be available until the agency publicly announces the next phase. College Park City Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) said delays on capital projects are not uncommon.

“These sort of projects that carry a lot of interest tend to have a lot of stakeholder input,

In a July 22 email to College Park Here & Now, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Capital Projects Coordinator Anne Holtz Schmick said the selection of a designbuild contractor—originally expected in spring 2026—has been pushed to summer “due to ongoing contract negotiations.”

with College Park Here & Now show the city has been pressing M-NCPPC for updated information on the project’s site plan and timeline since at least mid-June.

The community center’s location next to MOM’s Organic Market was selected following a 2022 feasibility study by architecture firm WXY. Some community members criticized the site selection.

“Primary concerns were the impact on traffic patterns in the area, and the impact on the shopping center as well,” Clary said.

nine service areas.

Funding for the community center will come from county, state and local sources. MNCPPC will contribute approximately $21 million, while the city council formally approved its $1.5 million funding commitment on July 14. The state of Maryland will contribute another $1 million.

Kabir said College Park does not typically contribute funding to M-NCPPC projects but made an exception for the community center.

“We’re working with them both directly and indirectly trying to make sure that we reduce any of the barriers and impediments to finally push this process through,” Hernandez said.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Kabir said.

and I don’t really know what is … the delay, but I think that it is moving in the right direction,” Hernandez said.

The community center, which has been in the works for more than a decade, is scheduled to open by fall 2028.

“North College Park for many, many years has felt somewhat overlooked,” North College Park Community Association President Kamthorn Clary said. “I’m hoping that this provides a reason to not only come to North College

Park from other parts of the city, but also a common area that existing residents can share and use.”

The need for a community center in North College Park was identified in 2013 in the M-NCPPC’s Functional Master Plan Formula for Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, known as Formula 2040. The plan repealed and replaced the previous functional master plan adopted in January 1982.

Like many publicly funded capital projects, the North College Park Community Center has progressed through years of planning, government approvals and funding allocations before the development process can begin, Hernandez said.

Emails shared by Schmick

The future construction of the center has also raised questions about the Hollywood Farmers Market, which is held in that space on Saturdays from April through November.

Mayor Fazlul Kabir said the city is working on a plan to temporarily relocate the market while work on the community center is underway.

The project reflects Prince George’s County’s shift from neighborhood recreation centers to multigenerational community gathering spaces, according to an M-NCPPC presentation to potential contractors in October.

The Department of Parks and Recreation, a branch of M-NCPPC, aims to operate one multigenerational community center in each of the county’s

Community leaders said the project represents more than just a building. The center will bring residents a long-awaited gathering place while shaping the future of North College Park, they said.

“I want to make sure that we leave behind more than we inherited and to make sure that every resident, child, senior has a little more room to learn, a little more room to grow, a reason to believe that their community believes in them,” Hernandez said.

Community leaders also said they hope the center will give people from outside the community a reason to visit North College Park.

“We’re going to welcome every single entity that we can to the North College Park community, because it really is unique, beautiful and the future of Prince George’s County,” Hernandez said.

Board of Ed member resigns unexpectedly

By SHARON O’MALLEY

The Prince George’s County Board of Education member who had represented College Park since 2022 resigned in June with five months left in his term and without giving a reason.

College Park Here & Now was unable to reach Jonathan Briggs, who lives in Greenbelt and served District 2, which also includes Berwyn Heights, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton.

At a July 9 emergency meeting, Chair Branndon Jackson said the board had received Briggs’ formal resignation on June 30 and accepted it that day, effective immediately.

However, a June 30 notice published by Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) requesting applications to fill the seat said Briggs’ resignation was effective on June 26.

And Jackson’s announcement came two days after the application period closed on July 7.

PGCPS issued a press release on July 20 notifying the press and public of Briggs’ resignation, three weeks after it occurred.

At the virtual meeting on July 9, the board replaced Briggs as vice chair with Phelton Moss, who has served as a member since 2024.

Maryland law leaves it up to Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Brave-

boy to appoint a replacement to fill the District 2 seat. After the appointment, the county council has 45 days to disapprove Braveboy’s selection or it automatically takes effect.

Briggs’ resignation came just days after voters chose two candidates to advance

to the November election for his seat. Because BOE members are nonpartisan, the two top vote-getters in the primary—Terence Clegg and Caroline Decaire-Goldin— will face off in the Nov. 3 general election. One winner will claim the vacant seat. Briggs did not run for re-election.

Greenbelt News Review has reported that Clegg applied to be appointed to temporarily fill Briggs’ seat until after the general election. If Braveboy appoints him, Clegg, as the incumbent, could have an advantage over DecaireGoldin in November.

‘Process fail’ leads council to say ‘no’ to tennis center expansion

By SHARON O’MALLEY

The College Park City Council voted unanimously July 14 not to support a plan to expand the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC), located next to the historic College Park Airport—at least not yet.

The 7-0 vote does not kill the project. It tells the MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), which owns the land under both JTCC and the airport, that the city wants updated plans before it will back the expansion.

Councilmember Holly Simmons (District 2) said JTCC’s decision to send an application to the Prince George’s County Planning Board without an accurate site plan is “highly unusual,” and would stop her from endorsing it.

“I don’t have any idea what our planners at the county are looking at,” Simmons said at the council meeting. “If we’re setting precedent, it’s not a good precedent.”

Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) agreed.

“This is a process fail,” he said. “We have an incredible amount of development in College Park. … We just have to be deliberative about who and what we’re supporting and how we’re supporting it.”

Hernandez added: “I personally don’t know if I can go back to my district and talk to my constituents and say, ‘Hey, yeah, we voted on something we didn’t see.’”

At the center of the debate is a Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) rule that ensures that buildings near the airport are not so tall that they pose a risk to planes flying over them.

JTCC attorney Bill Shipp told the council that the MAA flagged seven “hazards,” including the peak of the new building’s roof, which he said would be about eight feet too high, and a nearby corner that would be “about eight or nine feet” over the limit. The other five involved canopies extending from the roofline.

JTCC representatives had previously said they would seek an ex-

ception to that rule to accommodate a design that exceeds MAA height limits. But at the July meeting, Shipp assured the council that request would not be made.

“I want to say this emphatically: We will not be seeking a variance … on any … height regulations, so I think that puts us hopefully in good stead with the airport community and with College Park,” Shipp said.

Mayor Fazlul Kabir welcomed that announcement.

“That’s the big news and very exciting news,” he said, “and thank you for listening to the community and not deciding to

ask for any variance.”

Still, Shipp’s assurances did not mean the council was ready to sign off.

Because JTCC had not submitted revised drawings showing how the developer would comply with the height rules, councilmembers balked at Shipp’s request for the council’s endorsement.

The city does not have zoning authority over development in College Park, so it cannot approve or disapprove the expansion. Instead, city officials can submit recommendations to county planners. In this case, the

council asked the planning board to postpone a scheduled July 30 public hearing about JTCC’s plans.

As of press time, the hearing was still slotted for July 30.

Shipp admitted that the revised plans would not be ready before the scheduled hearing. Sonja Ewing, an M-NCPPC division chief in the Department of Parks and Recreation, suggested that the councilmembers should let the county know their objections to any height variance without asking to postpone the hearing.

Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4) and others disagreed.

“I understand that there is a promise that has been made in the air,” Mitchell said, “but I also understand I’m talking to lawyers, and until we see that in writing or some drawings of the design, we’re not necessarily voting on that plan.”

JTCC’s plans would expand the tennis facility onto the property once occupied by the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant.

The project would add 10 tennis courts, including six indoor courts and four outdoor clay courts, to the center’s existing 32 courts. It would also add about 8,000 square feet of space for a cafe, locker rooms, lockers and a pro shop.

The addition would become the home court for the University of Maryland women’s tennis team, which competes in the Big Ten Conference.

Nevermore no more. For the first time, the Baltimore Ravens will hold a team practice at SECU Stadium on the University of Maryland (UMD) campus on Aug. 1.

Because of a recent change in NFL policy, Prince George’s County, including UMD, is now part of the Ravens’ home marketing area, or the region where a team is allowed to hold certain promotional events. The county is also part of the Washington Commanders’ home marketing area.

Fans are on the lookout for two former Terps in the team’s lineup: center Corey Bullock, who played one season at UMD in 2023, and rookie wide receiver Octavian Smith Jr., who played four seasons for the Terps through 2025 and signed with the Ravens in April. City officials said they expect the event to bring more customers to local businesses. Summer is a slow season for College Park businesses, as UMD students have

left campus for break, Mayor Fazlul Kabir said.

Just a taste. More than 30 restaurants handed out deals and specials for the second summer Taste of College Park event, which ran July 17-26.

College Park hosts the restaurant week each summer and winter. The last event was in January.

Michael Williams, the city’s economic development director, said the week is a way to attract customers to restaurants during months when University of Maryland students are away on break.

“When the buzz gets around town about the Taste of College Park, it does bring in more traffic,” agreed Rob Hawkins, manager of Bagels ‘n Grinds, which offered a free regular beverage with any purchase during the week.

Wait for it. As UMD students head back to their apartments

this fall, a six-month-old city law will protect them from overzealous landlords who, in the past, have been able to pressure them into signing their next leases up to a year before their current ones expire.

The early lease ordinance, which the College Park City Council adopted in February, prohibits landlords from offering to renew a lease until 180 days before the end of the contract. The measure came in response to complaints from students who said they usually don’t know a year in advance if they want to return to their current apartments—or even to school—the following year.

In a presentation to the city council in July, city staff said they have established a formal complaint process for students to report non-compliant landlords. And they said the city will levy penalties on landlords ranging from $500 for a first offense to

$2,500 for subsequent violations.

Students who want to sign early leases may do so after submitting a city-issued waiver form.

Tuition under fire. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has sued the state of Maryland in an effort to stop public colleges and universities from allowing undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition.

Undergraduates who live in Maryland pay approximately $12,300 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,000, according to the UMD website. Those figures apply regardless of the student’s immigration status.

Students who live in Maryland and graduated from high school here can qualify for in-state tuition if their family has paid state taxes for at least two years, among other requirements. If they later become eligible to apply for per-

manent residency, they must do so within 30 days.

International students studying in the U.S. who are not permanent residents pay out-of-state tuition.

“By granting illegal aliens instate tuition, Maryland is not only violating federal law but subsidizing education for illegal aliens, costing Maryland taxpayers roughly $9 [million] for just one academic year,” Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

House Speaker Joseline PeñaMelnyk, who represents Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, countered that the lawsuit is “another example of the federal government asking the courts to override policy choices made by states through the democratic process.”

DOJ has also sued a dozen other states over in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.

COLLEGE PARK POST

Duvall Field Phase II Nears Completion

The City’s largest recreational space prepares to welcome the community

After fifteen months of construction, Duvall Field Phase II, the City of College Park’s largest recreational space, is nearing completion. Spearheaded by the City’s Planning and Community Development Department, the project has reached several significant milestones and is entering its final stages.

Residents got their first glimpse of the park coming to life on June 10, when the bandshell and amphitheater plaza lighting was illuminated for the first time since groundbreaking. The project has also expanded pedestrian access

with new perimeter sidewalks, several of which are already open to the public. Along 50th Place, a new five-foot-wide sidewalk has been completed, while Blackfoot Place now features a four-footwide permeable pathway.

The City’s commitment to environmental stewardship has remained a priority throughout construction. In late May, mature trees surrounding the park received BioPak soil injections to support root health and aid recovery from constructionrelated impacts. Between March and June, more than 100 new trees

and shrubs were also planted throughout the site, adding to the park’s natural landscape and longterm sustainability.

Construction activities are now focused on quality control, cleanup, and completion of the remaining work, including the amphitheater, fencing, and final utility connections. The bandshell structure is complete, with interior systems currently being installed. Audio-visual equipment and CCTV infrastructure are scheduled for installation in the coming weeks. Landscaping operations will continue over the

next several months in tandem with final inspections and punch list activities as construction concludes. Substantial completion is anticipated in late June, with final site cleanup extending through July.

The City is planning a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the evening of Friday, July 31, to celebrate this significant milestone and welcome residents to the newly transformed community space. For additional event details, updates, and announcements, visit collegeparkmd.gov/duvallfield.

Celebrate a Safe and Fun Fourth of July

Safe and fun ways to celebrate the holiday

The Fourth of July is a time for gathering with family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate with food, activities, and summer traditions. Whether you are enjoying a backyard barbecue, attending a community event, or spending time outdoors, taking simple steps to celebrate safely can help make the holiday enjoyable and memorable for everyone.

While fireworks are a familiar part of many Fourth of July celebrations, it is important to remember that personal fireworks can pose serious safety risks, including burns, injuries, fires, and poor air quality caused by smoke and harmful particles. Fireworks can also be especially stressful for pets and wildlife, causing fear, anxiety, and disorientation that may affect animals long after the celebrations have ended

During dry weather conditions, fireworks may increase the risk of accidental fires in neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas. Smoke from fireworks can also impact air quality, which may create challenges for individuals with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions. Being aware of these impacts can help residents make informed choices when planning their holiday celebrations.

FY27 BUDGET IN BRIEF

The FY27 budget funds the essential city services and programs residents rely on every day.

The CIP funds capital projects that benefit residents like parks, sidewalks, roads and more.

The City has the lowest property tax rates in the County and has not increased them for the past three years.

Exceeds the City's 25% Charter reserve requirement, supporting fiscal stability and a strong bond rating.

The Fiscal Year 2027 Budget serves as the City’s financial plan for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, funding the services, programs, and investments that support the College Park community.

Fortunately, there are many exciting and creative ways to enjoy Independence Day without using personal fireworks. Families can host a patriotic picnic or barbecue, organize a neighborhood bike decorating activity or parade, enjoy outdoor games, listen to music, watch a movie under the stars, or create red, white, and blue arts and crafts together. These activities provide opportunities to create meaningful memories while bringing neighbors, friends, and families together.

The FY27 Budget reflects our commitment to fiscal stability, essential services, and making College Park a thriving place to work, learn and play.

other creative games can be a fun option for children and families.

To learn more about these programs and services, view the full adopted budget at collegeparkmd.gov/budget.

This Fourth of July, choose activities that bring people together while helping protect the health and safety of your family, pets, neighbors, and the environment. By celebrating thoughtfully and considering the well-being of the entire community, residents can enjoy a memorable holiday while helping keep College Park safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all.

Taste of College Park

Explore local restaurants and discover new favorites

As the evening begins, glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark games, lightup toys, and other illuminated activities can bring the same festive excitement without the dangers of sparklers, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. A glowthemed activity station with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark chalk, or

Brought to you by the City of College Park Department of Public Works. Firework safety information is adapted from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). For more information, visit cpsc.gov/ fireworks or contact Public Works at 240-487-3590 or publicworks@ collegeparkmd.gov.

Taste of College Park returns July 17–26, inviting residents and visitors to support local restaurants throughout the City. Participating businesses will offer featured menu items and special promotions during this citywide event. Whether you’re trying a new restaurant or revisiting a favorite, Taste of College Park is a great way to enjoy local dining while supporting College Park businesses.

For participating restaurants and special offers, visit www. collegepark.life.

SUPPORTING RESIDENTS

• Increased funding for the New Neighbors Homeownership Grant Program.

• Emergency assistance grants for eligible residents facing financial hardship.

• Expanded Spanish-language City communications to reach more residents.

Funding for community groups that support neighborhood initiatives and projects.

PUBLIC SAFETY

• Increased funding for contract police services.

• Public safety study to identify future needs and priorities.

Expansion of the City’s CCTV camera network.

• Parking study to evaluate parking needs and challenges.

New Trail clearing and snow removal equipment.

• Funding to support local fire departments.

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS

• Increased pedestrian mobility through sidewalk and ADA accessibility improvements.

• Investments in parks and public spaces throughout the City.

• Additional bike racks throughout the City.

• Expanded sustainability initiatives through participation in LEED for Cities program.

• Streetscape and neighborhood beautification projects.

Housing Project Manager Recreation Coordinator Emergency Support Specialist

Advances housing policies and programs.

Manages recreation programs at City facilities.

Connects residents with emergency assistance.

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

• Funding to support business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts.

• Grants to help businesses improve storefront facades and commercial properties.

• Continued investment in the City’s vibrant commercial districts. Biannual restaurant week, "Taste of College Park".

Engineer Technician / GIS Analyst

Supports infrastructure and engineering projects for the city.

Part-Time Bus Driver Expands transportation services for College Park Seniors.

The FY27 budget invests in additional staff to meet increasing service demands, expand programs, and support community priorities. These positions will help the City meet the needs of a growing community, improve infrastructure, support residents experiencing hardship, and enhance quality of life.

their homes and have them collected through a weekly curbside service every Tuesday. Compostable bags are provided, and there is no additional fee to participate. The program is voluntary and available to City residents who currently receive curbside trash and recycling services.

By participating in the Food Scrap Collection Program, residents can help reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills and give food scraps a second life through composting. The program offers an easy way for households to make use of everyday food scraps while supporting cleaner and greener practices in the community.

Residents interested in joining the program can apply online at collegeparkmd.gov/foodscraps. Take advantage of this limitedtime opportunity and enroll in July to receive your free collection container.

College Park Pollinator Gardens

NORTH COLLEGE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER M

Working with M-NCPPC to create a vibrant community space,

STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Safer, more connected streets with sidewalk and ADA improvements.

Enroll in the Food Scrap Collection Program

Sign up in July and receive a free collection container

The City of College Park is encouraging residents to enroll in the Curbside Food Scrap Collection Program this July. As a special promotion, residents who sign up during the month of July will receive a free food scrap collection container while supplies last.

The program allows residents to recycle food scraps from

Discover the City’s Bee City USA gardens and habitats

The City of College Park supports local pollinator populations by planting and maintaining pollinator-friendly gardens and bee hotels throughout the community. These spaces provide habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that help support healthy ecosystems.

Residents can enjoy pollinator gardens in parks, community spaces, and neighborhoods across the City, including the Old Town Community Garden, Cherokee Pollinator Garden, College Park Permaculture Garden, and others. New spaces, including the Kenesaw Food Forest and Duvall Field Pollinator Garden, continue to support the City’s environmental efforts. An interactive map with locations and photos of pollinator gardens is available online.

Brought to you by the City of College Park Bee City USA Committee. For more information about Bee City USA and local pollinator efforts, visit collegeparkmd.gov.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY MEETING

Monday, July 6, 2026 | Hybrid

The City of College Park invites residents to attend the upcoming Public Safety Community Meeting on Monday, July 6, 2026. The meeting provides an opportunity to learn about public safety programs, hear updates on current initiatives, and discuss issues affecting neighborhoods throughout the community.

Representatives from the City and public safety agencies will be available to share information, answer questions, and listen to resident feedback. Meeting details, including time and participation options, will be available on the City’s website.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE NOTICE

All City of College Park offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly for any City services or business that may be affected by the closure.

Special collections for brush and bulky items will only be scheduled during the holiday week by appointment. Residents must schedule a pickup before placing items at the curb. Call 240487-3590 or email publicworks@ collegeparkmd.gov for more information.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE! ENCORE

Friday, July 10, 2026 | 6:00–8:30 PM | City Hall (7401 Baltimore Avenue)

Friday Night LIVE! continues its ENCORE season on July 10 with a performance by Thunderball. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to City Hall for an evening of live music, summer fun, and community connection. Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the event.

Activities for all ages will be available, including games and crafts for children, along with free popcorn and slushies. Free parking is available at the Downtown Parking Garage at the corner of Yale Avenue and Knox Road.

City Announcements

More information: www.collegeparkmd.gov

BERWYN COMMUNITY

SITE EXPLORATION WALK

Come explore one of College Park’s unique open spaces and help shape ideas for its future. The City is inviting residents and community members to participate in the Berwyn Community Space Exploration Walk and Survey at 8807 and 8811 Rhode Island Avenue, behind the Trolley Trail Permaculture Garden in College Park.

Scan QR code on-site or visit: www.collegeparkmd.gov/ berwynwalksurvey. Participants begin the survey and fill out the questionnaire as they walk the site.

Deadline to submit feedback is July 10, 2026.

JACK PERRY AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Jack Perry Award was established by the College Park City Council in February 2013 to honor the legacy of Councilman John Edward “Jack” Perry, who served the city for 26 years and was dedicated to community service until his death in 2012. This award recognizes a College Park resident who significantly contributes to civic life by improving public spaces, fostering community, and demonstrating leadership.

Eligible nominees must be at least 18 years old and a registered voter or legal resident of College Park. Nominations are accepted from May 15 to July 15 each year and can be submitted by any resident, neighborhood association, or organization. Nominations should be submitted in writing to the City Clerk for the City of College Park, 7401 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 201, College Park, MD, 20740, or by e-mail to cityclerkoffice@ collegeparkmd.gov.

FREE SUMMER PARKING RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN COLLEGE PARK!

Now through August 22, enjoy: Free parking in the downtown garage after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays Free all-day Saturday parking in the downtown garage

Free parking at downtown meters every Sunday (as always!) The Downtown Garage is located

at the intersection of Yale Ave & Knox Road

DUVALL

FIELD DAY AND RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

The City of College Park will celebrate the completion of major improvements to Duvall Field with a community Ribbon Cutting and Field Day Celebration on Friday, July 31, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The event will officially unveil the park’s new amenities, including the bandstand, pickleball courts, bocce court, cornhole area, exercise equipment, basketball court, soccer field, and baseball field. Following a formal ribbon cutting ceremony featuring remarks from elected officials, project partners, and community leaders, residents will be invited to explore the park through a Park Passport Challenge.

To help get our residents excited, we have launched “Share your Duvall Field Story” to collect memories, stories, anecdotes, photos, and more from our residents to then share with our community.

Details for the event and how to share your story are available at www.collegeparkmd.gov/ duvallfield.

NEIGHBORHOOD GAME NIGHT

Thursday, July 23, 2026 | Hollywood Playground (4815 Hollywood Road)

The City of College Park invites residents of all ages to Neighborhood Game Night on Thursday, July 23, at Hollywood Playground. Bring your family and friends for an evening of games, music, crafts, and community fun.

The event will feature lawn games, Minute-to-Win-It challenges, and other family-friendly activities. It’s a great opportunity to meet neighbors and connect with the community. Admission is free, and activities will take place from 6:00–8:00 PM, weather permitting. Residents are encouraged to bring friends and enjoy the evening together.

Exhibit puts Lakeland’s history on display

By AYLIN AARHUS

Climb to the second floor of the College Park Aviation Museum, and you’ll find an exhibit that has little to do with air travel. Instead, it shares an often-overlooked part of College Park’s history.

The exhibit, “Reclaiming Our Space,” which will run until next May, tells the story of Lakeland, a historically Black neighborhood just north of City Hall.

Black Americans began moving to Lakeland around the turn of the 20th century and quickly established churches and schools, building a community for themselves in what was a predominantly white county at the time.

“You were talking about a generation from enslavement,” said Maxine Gross, a fifth-generation Lakeland resident and founding chair of the Lakeland Community Heritage Project (LCHP). “People were trying to get their feet under themselves.”

Generations of Lakelanders worked close to home at the Maryland Agricultural College—which would become the University of Maryland (UMD)—the College Park Airport and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Others worked as teachers or clergy, or ran local businesses.

The community changed forever in the 1970s and ‘80s, as two-thirds of Lakeland’s homes were demolished in a process called urban renewal. Gross said the city broke promises to its Lakeland residents, failing to construct new single-family homes. Instead, the city prioritized the construction of apartments and student housing.

One wall of the exhibit guides viewers through Lakeland’s history, highlighting themes like faith, education and nature. The other side is lined with photos and stories from Lakelanders who were interviewed by LCHP and student researchers and faculty from UMD’s Department of Art History and Archaeology.

Interspersed throughout the exhibit are screens playing interviews with Lakeland residents.

One screen shows slides of Lakelanders attending city meetings about urban renewal in the ‘70s. Audio from interviews with older Lakeland residents plays in the background.

“When I first moved out here, they were talking about this urban renewal,” one resident,

An exhibit at the College Park Aviation Museum showcases the history of Lakeland, College Park’s historically Black community. The display will remain open until May 2027. PHOTOS: JONATHAN PETER BELLING

“Reclaiming our Space,” which will run until next May, tells the story of Lakeland, a historically Black neighborhood just north of City Hall.

Fannie Douglas, said on the recording. Douglas moved to Lakeland with her husband around 1940 and sat for the interview in 2007. She said she warned her neighbors: “Don’t let them come into the community, because they don’t do nothing but tear it up.”

But the exhibit is about more than what Lakelanders lost to urban renewal.

Quint Gregory, director of the Michelle Smith Collaboratory for Visual Culture at UMD, helped curate the exhibit. He said one of the key themes was joy, which was “a throughline through the history of Lakeland.”

Gregory’s favorite historical photo of Lakeland is one of three young girls, members of the pompom squad, posing in front of the local grocery store.

The photo didn’t make it into the exhibit, but he said it stuck with him.

“I think of it as a moment where they are fully within themselves and they’re doing this thing, and it’s about their community,” Gregory said.

“And there’s no sense of the broader world that literally

immediately surrounds them and makes life always a negotiation, and possibly filled with danger.”

The Aviation Museum, located at the College Park Airport, is two miles from Lakeland. At least five Lakeland residents worked at the airport’s airmail station between 1918 and 1920.

Carol Allred, the museum’s exhibition specialist and cocurator of “Reclaiming our Space,” said that connection was what interested the museum’s staff in educating people about Lakeland’s history.

“Museums, to me, are important because they’re excellent at showing us ourselves and the people around us, and showing us the world that we live in,” Allred said. “So taking in these local stories is a great way for museums to fulfill that mission.”

Gross said she hopes the exhibit will encourage visitors to help build a stronger community.

“We’ve never pretended that Lakeland is entirely unique or entirely special,” Gross said. “I think the African American experience is special. I think it is an important part of our nation’s history.”

Gross continued: “It encompasses a lot of the failures of the American experiment. But I think it also provides concepts that, if allowed to grow and prosper, can be beneficial to the society as a whole.”

Mitchellville, turn the experience into a career.

Perry, who retired last year, participated in LLIPP in 2007, working in the office of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (District 21), who became the speaker of the House of Delegates in 2026. She stayed for 17 more years— as chief of staff.

The program, Perry said, “teaches us the entire legislative process, so we hit the ground running. We don’t need to be trained [on the job], and I was so good with constituent services, [Peña-Melnyk] asked me to stay.”

Peña-Melnyk, who lives in College Park Woods, learned about the program when she was invited to speak to a University of Maryland class. She has worked with three of the program’s volunteers and estimated that each of them has stayed with her for at least 10 years.

“I’m very passionate about it,” said Peña-Melnyk. “Oftentimes in society … people retire and we don’t use them anymore, which is such a waste because I feel that they have much experience and they can help us younger people.”

Barbara Hartman of Laurel, another graduate of the 202324 class who continues to volunteer at the LLIPP and assists the director, said it is not rare for Legacy Leaders to find work

opportunities within their assigned legislator’s office after completing the program.

“Some [Legacy Leaders] worked as a legislative aide, and some have worked as chiefs of staff,” Hartman said. “We had one woman who ran this year in a primary in Montgomery County for a delegate seat, and another woman who ran in the primary for school … board.”

Since its founding in 2002, the institute has trained more than 400 volunteers and placed them in legislative offices. Accepting 20 applicants each year, the LLIPP annually opens applications in

June and continues to accept them until fall classes begin.

“The idea is that individuals who want to leave a legacy— individuals who, for the most part, have retired—have an opportunity to leave a legacy of volunteering, a legacy of service,” said Wesley Queen, director of the institute and a graduate of the program.

Queen said Maryland residents interested in participating do not need previous experience in state government, must be 50 or older and willing to serve during the legislative session.

“Many of the individuals, or most of them, do not have any prior experience in the Maryland General Assembly,” Queen said. “The [program] introduces them to the Maryland General Assembly, how it works and some of the issues that the state faces.”

Participants complete 64 hours of instruction, led by

NORTHWEST

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the past 10 years,” Ling said in an interview with College Park Here & Now

Ling added: “We believe the best restaurants become part of the communities they serve. We’re honored that Northwest has become part of College Park’s story, and we’re excited to continue writing that story—one meal, one guest and one memory at a time.”

The plan is for the two restaurants to share the space at 7401 Baltimore Ave., where Li Chun Café opened in March 2025.

Li Chun, a fast-casual café featuring Chinese-style wraps, bento boxes, noodle plates, specialty drinks and pastries, will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then the restaurant will switch over to Northwest Chinese Food

cally sound as a … 21-year-old graduate student, they’re going to get maturity,” Hartman said. “And when a lot of the role is constituent communication, having that maturity, I think, is a huge plus to the legislators and their offices.”

Peña-Melnyk highlighted the independence, resourcefulness and patience that Legacy Leaders bring to legislative offices, explaining those qualities come with life experience.

Hartman said the program offers participants more than legislative experience.

“It gives people a feeling of purpose,” Hartman said. “It gives people community. Twice a week [Legacy Leaders are] interacting with other adults on an intellectual and challenging basis.”

UMD faculty and government professionals. Training involves courses on Maryland history, branches of government, the legislative process, legislative committees, budgets and finance, public policy, county and municipal government, leadership and volunteer skills.

This year, classes will run from Sept. 9 through Dec. 3, and participants will volunteer with the Maryland General Assembly from Jan. 13 through April 12, 2027. Classes are held every Tuesday and Wednesday, and Legacy Leaders volunteer two days a week during the legislative session.

Hartman identified technology as a potential obstacle for some participants, though she said recent applicants have come to the program with more computer skills than their predecessors.

“While [a legislator] might not get somebody who is as techni-

For Liburd-Smith, who moved to Greenbelt in June, the program became an opportunity to re-enter the workforce after an illness left her housebound for four months.

“I will recommend the Legacy Leadership Institute program to anybody that’s out there and needs to get back into the workplace,” she said.

Queen explained that LLIPP originated after a Center on Aging research project revealed many baby boomers wanted meaningful volunteer opportunities after retirement.

Queen said the institute’s mission has remained largely unchanged since it was established more than two decades ago, continuing to help retirees seeking “another chapter” after leaving the workforce.

“I had such a great experience [with the LLIPP],” said PeñaMelnyk. “And it’s so beautiful to see [the Legacy Leaders] give back—and they have a lot to give back.”

for dinner, featuring sit-down table service and authentic Chinese food from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The restaurant’s Li Chun tea bar will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Ling said the owner has updated the look of the space with custom marble tables and comfortable chairs, and will adjust the lighting and use ceramic place settings for evening dining.

“People can come in during the

day for something more casual and relaxing with friends,” Ling said. “And then during the night time they can have dinners with families and with classmates who like to have their dinners here also. So it will be like a fullday evolving experience.”

She said the owner searched for a separate space in College Park for Northwest Chinese Food but was unable to find one.

vated field will be “wonderful for the residents” of her district.

really completes and creates a community worth living in.”

Duvall Field and suggested a friendly game between city officials and staff.

“I still have all my gear and the cleats,” Kabir said. “So I’ll bring them out.”

Kabir said Duvall Field is important to bringing the College Park community together.

“It is all about community involvement, and so that they can have a good time together yearround,” Kabir said.

City Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1), said the renovated park represents more than a good time, however.

through state programs that help finance construction and renovation of parks and playgrounds, according to the city.

The renovations initially were proposed in 2005, but the project lacked funding. In recent years, the COVID-19 lockdown delayed renovations even further, along with issues with stormwater drainage, Kabir said.

College Park City Councilmembers said they’re excited to see the field reopen.

Councilmember Kelly Jordan (District 2) said the newly reno-

“It’s now going to be much more multipurpose with lots of built-in ways for the residents to come out and play, and it’s a beautiful space right here in College Park,” Jordan said.

Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) said residents are interested in using the field for a wide variety of sports, from baseball to cricket to Frisbee.

Hew said the field will be “a new hub for young people and residents to utilize in a way that it hadn’t been used before.”

“Imagination is the limit,” Hew said. “This vibrant activity

A number of organizations hold team practices and events on Duvall Field, including several local churches.

Officials said they are interested in holding more community events at the park, such as movie nights and live music performances, as well as celebrations organized by the city government. For instance, Duvall Field is set to host Bailamos!, College Park’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, on Sept. 18.

Kabir said he is looking forward to playing soccer on

“It’s a strategic investment in the future of College Park,” he said. “That’s the kind of strategic planning that maximizes taxpayer investments and strengthens our local economy while enhancing quality of life for everyone.”

Officials said they are interested in holding more community events at Duvall Field, such as movie nights and live music performances, as well as celebrations organized by the city government.

CUANDO NO SABES A DÓNDE RECURRIR

Hay esperanza y ayuda para las familias y amistades de los alcohólicos en Al-Anon.

Grupos Familiares Al-Anon, llamen al 1-888-425-2666 (1-888-4AL-ANON) Al-Anon.org

Lakelanders called to join ‘legacy’ program

By CAIT HEIDERMAN

Leaders of College Park’s historically Black Lakeland community are looking for neighbors who lived in the city before a federal urban renewal project destroyed more than two-thirds of the area’s homes between 1969 and 1981.

Those displaced homeowners, along with their children and grandchildren, are eligible to join a newly formed Lakeland Legacy Member Program, which could qualify them for compensation for lost homes and tuition assistance if the College Park City Council or others approve those benefits in the future.

The member program is part of an ongoing effort by Lakelanders and the city to recognize those displaced by urban renewal, encourage them or their descendants to return to the community, and to preserve and raise awareness about the neighborhood’s heritage.

“Nobody in society prospers unless everybody does,” Maxine Gross, who described herself as a young adult living in Lakeland during urban renewal, said. “To rebuild Lakeland is to rebuild College Park. To rebuild College Park is to rebuild the county, the state and so on.”

The years-long effort was bolstered in 2025 with the publication of a report called “Restorative Justice for Lakeland:

A Report of Historical Harms, Contemporary Impacts and Policies for Redress,” authored by the African American Redress Network and the Braxton Institute.

The city-appointed Restorative Justice Commission then made 33 recommendations to the city for reparations ranging from compensation to preservation of historic Lakeland sites.

“In rebuilding Lakeland and

Child Deserves a

making repairs for the harm that exists, I also hope that we’ll learn from what happened in the past this time and not do the same thing again,” said Gross, a former College Park City Councilmember. “We would like to have the voice of the people who were actually harmed.”

Applicants can qualify for the Lakeland Legacy Member Program by residency or descent.

Lakelanders who were age 18 or older between 1969 and 1981 and lived in the community for at least one year during that period may apply to become legacy members if they have or had lived in Lakeland for at least 10 years total.

In addition, anyone age 18 or older as of Oct. 30, 2026, with at least one parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who does or would have qualified for mem-

bership, also may apply.

Applications are due Oct. 30 online or by visiting the Lakeland College Park Community Center at 5051 Pierce Ave.

“As we continue through the restorative justice process, we need to assemble the people who were harmed by the actions of the city,” Gross said.

The mission of the city’s 20-member Restorative Justice Commission, created in 2022, is to “repair historical harms, particularly related to the displacement and impact of urban renewal on the community of Lakeland,” commission member and College Park resident Karin Brown said.

Aaron Brink-Johnson, the city’s equity, inclusivity and outreach coordinator, said some of the commission’s recommendations

have already been accepted. For example, the city added “Lakeland” when renaming the Lakeland College Park Community Center and the nearby Lake Artemesia Natural Area at Lakeland.

Brink-Johnson said identifying Lakeland Legacy Members through historical documents and word-of-mouth is an ongoing process.

The community has organized monthly outreach gatherings at the College Park Aviation Museum exhibit called “Reclaiming Our Space: The Story of Lakeland” and Lakeland Day on Aug. 26.

“One of the challenges of social justice efforts is awareness,” Brown said. “We need there to be education around the issue for the wider community so everybody is on board and understands the importance of the impact from the past.”

Gross agreed, noting that her hope is that the city will offer affordable housing to one-time Lakelanders who choose to return to the community and to reestablish local businesses “just to make Lakeland a good place for folks to set down roots and grow.”

But she said rebuilding trust between those displaced Lakelanders and the city could take time, even 50 years after the damage was done.

“People are … cautious about what the outcome [of the legacy member program] will be,” Gross said. “Having been disappointed in the actions of the government in the past, it’s challenging for folks to put themselves out to even apply, given the fact that they’ve been let down before.”

COLLEGE PARK COMMUNITY CALENDAR AUGUST

Find more local events all month long in our online calendar at StreetcarSuburbs.News/events

Our calendar includes many events and meetings sponsored by the City of College Park and local nonprofits, including arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between August 1-31. For additional events and meetings organized by the city, see the College Park Post newsletter in this paper’s centerfold. Find more local events all month long in our new, continuously updated online calendar, streetcarsuburbs. news/events.

Please send notices of events taking place between Sept. 1-30 to heather@hyattsvillelife.com by Aug. 20.

AUG. 1

12th Annual Y2K’s Bowling Trophy Party by Diamond Star Divas SC Y2K’s Old School vs. New School Bowling Party. $33.85. 6-10 p.m. Lucky Strike College Park (9021 Baltimore Ave.). For more information visit https:// tinyurl.com/4h9utbrn.

Youth Aviators: Air Traffic Control

Step into the high stakes world of Air Traffic Control in this session of the Youth Aviators Program. Free. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. College Park Aviation Museum (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.). For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/ bddepre5. Repeats on the 15th and 22nd.

AUG. 2

Make & Sip: Candle Bar

Customize your scents to bring some cozy energy to your home with a candle that is uniquely you. $33. 1-3 p.m. Shop Made in Maryland (7401 Baltimore Ave.). For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/ c4fe3ryu.

AUG. 4

College Park Arts ExchangeArt Club

Spend your evening creating art with neighbors. Bring your own art project and materials. This is not an art class, but each meeting will begin with a group warmup. Adults only. Free. 7:30-9 p.m. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). For more information visit https:// tinyurl.com/478zjxbv.

National Night Out

National Night Out provides a unique opportunity for residents to increase awareness about crime prevention and safety, get to know their neighbors, and meet local law

enforcement and other public safety officers. Free. 6-8:30 p.m. Duvall Field (9100 Rhode Island Ave.). For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/2vtxwamh.

The Honeycomb Hideout Poetry Night

An intimate evening where poetry, visual art, and community come together under one roof. Free. 8:30-10:30 p.m. 10280 Baltimore Ave. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/46w7fyjb.

AUG. 5

Senior Social Events Activities for seniors. 1-3 p.m. College Park Woods Clubhouse (3545 Marlbrough Way). Repeats on the 19th. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/5xkc44rb.

AUG. 6

Neighborhood Game Night

Join your neighbors for lawn games, music, crafts, challenges, prizes and more. Free. 6-8 p.m. 4601 Guilford Rd. For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/9nkunrsw.

YFS Seniors Events

Seniors can use this event as an opportunity to engage in mentally and physically active programs, socialize and meet new friends. Join fellow seniors for socializing, light refreshments and community games. Free. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. College Park Woods Clubhouse (3545 Marlbrough Way). To RSVP, call 240-487-3614. Senior events repeat every Thursday.

AUG. 7

Creative Writing Workshop

Learn practical strategies to enhance creative writing. $10. 6:30-8 p.m. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/4zvh2fsk. Repeats on the 21st.

Make & Sip: Watercolors & Wellness

This session will include watercolor prints designed by our local maker community, access to paint supplies, and a complimentary beverage from the coffee bar (coffee, tea, beer & wine for those 21+ available). $23. 1-3 p.m. Shop Made in Maryland (7401 Baltimore Avenue.). For more information visit https:// tinyurl.com/u385wper.

AUG. 12

Seniors Committee Virtual Meeting

7-9 p.m. Held on Zoom at https://zoom. us/j/98633484511.

College Park Community Library Book Club

Meets on the second Wednesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Church of the Nazarene (9704 Rhode Island Ave.). Church of the Nazarene, lower level. Aug. 12: “Station Eleven: A Novel” by Emily St. John Mandel. Sept. 9: “Tom Lake: A Novel” by Ann Patchett.

AUG. 14

Friday Night Live!

College Park’s summer music series. Free parking at the downtown College Park parking garage. This Friday’s band is Black Masala. 6:30-8:30 p.m. City Hall Plaza (7401 Baltimore Ave.).

land (7401 Baltimore Ave.). For more information visit https:// tinyurl.com/cr2vhsyk. Repeating Events

Story Time for Children

Storytelling session geared to infants and older children. Free. Every Wednesday. 9:3010 a.m. College Park Community Library (9704 Rhode Island Ave.). For more information, email bokays100@ juno.com.

Jessie’s Line Dance

Jessie’s Soul Line Dancers offers a class with step-by-step instruction, and students perform dances to soul, gospel and pop music. Free. Every Friday from 10-11 a.m. on Zoom. For more information and the registration link, email info@ cpae.org.

Hollywood Farmers Market

AUG. 16

Cub Corner

Enjoy a reading of “How People Learned to Fly” by Fran Hodgkins and discover how the Wright brothers took their very first steps toward creating the airplane. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free.

College Park Aviation Museum (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.). For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/mr34hdxy.

AUG. 23

2026 Lakeside Loop 5K/10K Race on a paved trail through the woods, around the outside of a runway, over creeks and finally around the outskirts of Lake Artemesia. Free. 7:45 a.m. (5211 Campus Dr.). For more information visit https:// tinyurl.com/47x4aycz.

AUG. 24

Age Friendly Workgroup Meeting

Meeting for group to assist College Park seniors. 1-3 p.m. Meetings held virtually at https://zoom. us/j/94380667412.

AUG. 25

Restorative Justice Commission Virtual Meeting 6-8 p.m. Held virtually at https://zoom. us/j/95208594693.

AUG. 26

Paint & Plant Workshop

Paint a pot and bring some color to your garden project. Guests can use acrylic paint and paint markers to create their own masterpiece, and can choose from a selection of house plants to take home. $23. 1-3 p.m. Shop Made in Mary-

Featuring local produce and crafts. Free. Every Saturday through November. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hollywood Shopping Center (9803 Rhode Island Ave.). For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/ ue4euu27.

Tai Chi Class

In another College Park Arts Exchange offering, learn the ancient Chinese form of slow-moving meditation with Maureen Stone and Mark Grisar every Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. $10 for one class; $35 for four. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). For more information or to register, visit https://tinyurl. com/28cf82bb.

Community Learning Garden Volunteer Events

Come to the Community Learning Garden for fresh air, good vibes and garden therapy. Free. Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. Eppley Recreation Center (4128 Valley Dr.).

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

North College Park Civic Association

Second Thursday of the month. 7:30-9 p.m. Davis Hall (9217 51st Ave.). For more information, email NCPCivic@gmail. com.

Calvert Hills Civic Association Meeting

August 5. 6-8 p.m. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). For more information email CalvertHillsCitizensAssn@gmail.com.

Council backs entertainment at 3 downtown venues

By SHARON O’MALLEY

The College Park City Council voted on July 7 to support the applications of three downtown restaurants to add or continue late-night entertainment.

The Hall CP, which will rebrand as The Lakelander under new ownership once renovations are complete and permits are awarded, has applied to the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners for a permit to continue hosting live bands and DJs.

Looney’s Pub, a Route 1 nightlife staple since 2011, is looking to renew an entertainment license that has expired. Looney’s, a sprawling Irish sports bar and grill on the street level of The Varsity apartment building, traditionally has featured live bands, DJs and karaoke nights.

And the owners of the twoyear-old Dog Haus Biergarten, located on the plaza level of City Hall, have not previously offered entertainment and plan to bring in DJs a couple of times a week in an effort to bolster evening-hours foot traffic.

The restaurant serves hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches, along with craft beers and signature cocktails.

City Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) said the council’s support sends a message to local business owners.

“We want to signal to the business community that College Park is willing and able and supportive that there be entertainment in the community,” Hernandez said. “We can’t say we want to have third spaces and then not take action.”

In Prince George’s County, businesses need an entertainment permit from the liquor board, separate from a liquor license, to offer performancebased entertainment after 9 p.m. Attorney Ben Carter, who represented the three venues at the

council meeting, said The Hall, located at 4656 Hotel Drive near The Hotel at the University of Maryland, would stop the music by 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Hernandez suggested that the restaurant, bar and events venue consider extending those hours to attract millennials looking for an entertainment spot designed to appeal to patrons beyond students.

“Most of the entertainment options for folks in their early 30s are either the Cornerstone or the Greene Turtle, but they’re really more alcohol focused,” he said. “I have to go to D.C. if I want to go do some sort of [alternative] entertainment.”

Others suggested a midnight or 1 a.m. cutoff for the music.

“I can’t say I expected that request,” Carter said.

Still, several councilmembers said late-night music can disturb those living nearby.

“We try to create a quality of life while still supporting entertainment in town,” Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4) noted.

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El Departamento de Justicia demanda a Maryland por su política de matrícula universitaria estatal para inmigrantes indocumentados

Por el equipo de Maryland Matters, marylandmatters.org

El 16 de julio, Maryland se convirtió en el último estado en ser demandado por el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos debido a su política que otorga tarifas de matrícula universitaria para residentes a

ciertos inmigrantes indocumentados que viven en el estado.

En una demanda presentada ante el Tribunal de Distrito de Estados Unidos, el Departamento de Justicia afirmó que la Ley DREAM de Maryland viola la ley federal al conceder un beneficio a los inmigrantes indocumentados que no está disponible para

los ciudadanos de otros estados del país; es decir, tarifas de matrícula reducidas (propias de residentes) en las instituciones de educación superior del estado.

La demanda solicita al tribunal que bloquee la aplicación de la ley, al considerar que esta representa aproximadamente 9 millones de dólares en descuentos de

matrícula para inmigrantes cada año. También solicita una orden judicial permanente para impedir que el estado administre cualquier programa de ayuda financiera o becas que puedan beneficiar a inmigrantes indocumentados residentes del estado.

“El Congreso dejó claro hace mucho

Una exhibición muestra la historia de

Por AYLIN AARHUS

Quienes suban al segundo piso del Museo de Aviación de College Park encontrarán una exposición que tiene poco que ver con la aviación. Por el contrario, comparte un capítulo de la historia de College Park que con frecuencia ha sido pasado por alto.

La exposición “Reclaiming Our Space”, abierta hasta mayo del próximo año, cuenta la historia de Lakeland, un vecindario históricamente afroamericano ubicado justo al norte del Concejo Municipal.

Los afroamericanos empezaron a mudarse a Lakeland hacia principios del siglo XX y rápidamente fundaron iglesias y escuelas, creando su propia comunidad en un condado que, en esa época, era mayoritariamente blanco.

“Se hablaba de una generación que apenas salía de la esclavitud”, explicó Maxine Gross, residente de quinta generación de Lakeland y presidenta fundadora del Lakeland Community Heritage Project (LCHP).

“La gente estaba tratando de salir adelante”.

Por generaciones, los habitantes de Lakeland trabajaron cerca de casa: en el Maryland Agricultural College —que más tarde se convertiría en la Universidad de Maryland (UMD)—, en el aeropuerto de College Park y en el ferrocarril B&O. Otros se desempeñaron como maestros, líderes religiosos o propietarios de negocios

Lakeland

Una exposición en el Museo de Aviación de College Park presenta la historia de Lakeland, la comunidad históricamente afroamericana de College Park. La muestra permanecerá abierta hasta mayo de 2027. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

locales.

La comunidad cambió para siempre en los años 70 y 80, cuando cerca de dos tercios de las viviendas de Lakeland fueron demolidas en un proceso denominado renovación urbana. Gross afirmó que la ciudad incumplió las promesas hechas a los residentes de Lakeland al no construir las nuevas viviendas unifamiliares. En su lugar, la ciudad dio prioridad a la construcción de apartamentos y alojamiento para estudiantes. Uno de los muros de la ex-

posición guía a los visitantes a través de la historia de Lakeland, destacando temas como la fe, la educación y la naturaleza. El otro lado presenta fotografías y relatos de habitantes de Lakeland entrevistados por el LCHP, así como por estudiantes, investigadores y profesores del Departamento de Historia del Arte y Arqueología de la UMD.

A lo largo de la exhibición hay pantallas que proyectan entrevistas con residentes de Lakeland.

Una de las pantallas muestra diapositivas de habitantes de Lakeland asistiendo a reuniones municipales sobre la renovación urbana en la década de los 70. De fondo se escuchan grabaciones de entrevistas con residentes mayores del vecindario.

“Cuando me mudé aquí por primera vez, ya se hablaba de esta renovación urbana”, expresó una residente, Fannie Douglas, en la grabación. Douglas se mudó a Lakeland junto con su esposo alrededor

de 1940 y concedió la entrevista en 2007. Recordó que advertía a sus vecinos: “No dejen que entren a la comunidad, porque lo único que hacen es destrozarla”.

Sin embargo, la exposición no se centra únicamente en lo que Lakeland perdió con la renovación urbana.

Quint Gregory, director del Michelle Smith Collaboratory for Visual Culture de la UMD, colaboró en la curaduría de la exposición. Señaló que uno de

El proyecto del Centro Comunitario de North College Park sufre retrasos

Por CAIT HEIDERMAN

El proyecto del condado de Prince George para construir el esperado Centro Comunitario de North College Park parece estar retrasado.

En un correo electrónico enviado el 22 de julio a College Park Here & Now, la coordinadora de proyectos de infraestructura de la Comisión de Parques y Planificación de la Capital Nacional de Maryland (M-NCPPC), Anne Holtz Schmick, informó que la selección del contratista encargado del diseño y la construcción —originalmente prevista para la primavera de 2026— se ha pospuesto hasta el verano “debido a las negociaciones contractuales en curso”.

Schmick explicó que no habrá más detalles sobre el cronograma del proyecto, que se ubicará en el 9801 de Rhode Island Avenue, en el Hollywood Shopping Center, hasta que la agencia anuncie públicamente la siguiente fase del proyecto.

El concejal de College Park Jacob Hernandez (Distrito 1) señaló que los retrasos en proyectos de infraestructura no son algo inusual.

“Este tipo de proyectos que generan mucho interés suelen recibir aportes de numerosas partes interesadas. No sé exactamente cuál es la causa del retraso, pero creo que el proyecto

En un correo electrónico enviado el 22 de julio a College Park Here & Now, la coordinadora de proyectos de infraestructura de la Comisión de Parques y Planificación de la Capital Nacional de Maryland, Anne Holtz Schmick, informó que la selección del contratista encargado del diseño y la construcción —originalmente prevista para la primavera de 2026— se ha pospuesto hasta el verano.

avanza en la dirección correcta”, afirmó Hernandez.

La inauguración del centro comunitario, que lleva más de una década en planificación, está prevista para el otoño de 2028. “Durante muchísimos años, North College Park se ha sentido algo olvidado”, expresó Kamthorn Clary, presidente de la Asociación Cívica de North College Park. “Espero que este proyecto no solo motive a personas de otras partes de la ciudad a visitar North College Park, sino que también ofrezca un espacio común que los residentes puedan compartir y disfrutar”.

La necesidad de un centro comunitario en North College Park se identificó en 2013 dentro del Plan Maestro Funcional para Parques, Recreación y Espacios Abiertos de la M-NCPPC, conocido como Formula 2040. Este

plan sustituyó al anterior plan maestro funcional adoptado en enero de 1982.

Al igual que muchos proyectos de infraestructura financiados con fondos públicos, el Centro Comunitario de North College Park ha pasado por años de planificación, aprobaciones gubernamentales y asignaciones de fondos antes de que pudiera comenzar el proceso de construcción, señaló Hernandez. Los correos electrónicos compartidos por Schmick con College Park Here & Now muestran que la ciudad ha estado presionando a la M-NCPPC para obtener información actualizada sobre el plano del sitio y el cronograma del proyecto al menos desde mediados de junio.

La ubicación del centro comunitario junto al supermercado MOM’s Organic Market

fue elegida tras un estudio de viabilidad realizado en 2022 por la firma de arquitectura WXY. Algunos miembros de la comunidad criticaron esa decisión.

“Las principales preocupaciones estaban relacionadas con el impacto sobre el tráfico en la zona y el centro comercial”, expresó Clary.

La futura construcción del centro también ha generado dudas sobre el Hollywood Farmers Market, que funciona en ese espacio los sábados desde abril hasta noviembre. El alcalde Fazlul Kabir indicó que la ciudad está elaborando un plan para reubicar temporalmente el mercado mientras se realizan las obras del centro comunitario.

El proyecto refleja el cambio de enfoque del condado de Prince George, que está reemplazando los tradicionales centros recreativos de barrio por espacios comunitarios multigeneracionales, según una presentación realizada por la M-NCPPC a posibles contratistas en octubre.

El Departamento de Parques y Recreación, una división de la M-NCPPC, tiene como objetivo operar un centro comunitario multigeneracional en cada una de las nueve áreas de servicio del condado.

La financiación del proyecto proviene de fondos del condado, estatales y locales. La M-NCPPC aportará aproximadamente 21 millones de dólares, mientras que el Concejo Municipal aprobó formalmente su compromiso de financiación de 1,5 millones de dólares el 14 de julio. Por su parte, el estado de

Maryland destinará 1 millón de dólares adicional.

Kabir señaló que College Park no suele aportar fondos a los proyectos de la M-NCPPC, pero hizo una excepción en el caso del centro comunitario.

“Estamos trabajando con ellos, tanto directa como indirectamente, para asegurarnos de eliminar cualquier obstáculo que impida que este proyecto avance”, mencionó Hernandez.

“Es una situación en la que todos ganan”, añadió Kabir. Los líderes comunitarios afirmaron que el proyecto representa algo más que un simple edificio. El centro ofrecerá a los residentes un espacio de encuentro esperado desde hace muchos años y contribuirá a definir el futuro de North College Park.

“Quiero asegurarme de que dejemos más de lo que heredamos y de que cada residente, cada niño y cada adulto mayor tenga un poco más de espacio para aprender, un poco más de espacio para crecer y una razón para creer que su comunidad cree en ellos”, expresó Hernandez. Los líderes comunitarios también expresaron su esperanza de que el nuevo centro motive a personas de otras zonas a visitar North College Park.

“Daremos la bienvenida a todas las organizaciones y entidades que podamos atraer a la comunidad de North College Park, porque realmente es un lugar único, hermoso y representa el futuro del condado de Prince George”, concluyó Hernandez.

Buscamos voluntarios emprendedores para formar parte de nuestra junta directiva, que hablen español con fluidez y estén dispuestos a ayudarnos a generar ingresos para apoyar las noticias en español en nuestra ciudad. También buscamos escritores voluntarios y esperamos poder contratar pronto a un organizador comunitario. Si está interesado en alguno de estos puestos, póngase en contacto con nosotros: kit@streetcarsuburbs.news.

CONEXIÓN COLLEGE PARK

Agosto 2026

La Nueva Ordenanza de Terminación Anticipada de Arrendamientos de College Park

Un proceso de arrendamiento más justo y transparente

La Ciudad ha adoptado una Ordenanza de Renovación Anticipada de Contratos de Alquiler (ELO, por sus siglas en inglés) para ayudar a crear un proceso de alquiler más justo y transparente para los inquilinos, al tiempo que ofrece a los propietarios normas claras y coherentes para la renovación de los contratos.

La ordenanza se elaboró en respuesta a las inquietudes de los residentes, especialmente los estudiantes, quienes manifestaron sentirse presionados para renovar sus contratos con mucha antelación —a veces apenas unas semanas después de mudarse a la propiedad alquilada— y a menudo antes de haber tenido tiempo suficiente para evaluar su situación actual de vivienda y sus planes académicos, o para comparar otras opciones.

¿QUÉ ESTABLECE LA ORDENANZA?

La ordenanza regula cuándo los propietarios pueden ofrecer la renovación de los contratos de alquiler y cuánto tiempo deben conceder a los inquilinos para responder.

Según la ordenanza:

• Los propietarios no pueden presentar una oferta de

renovación del contrato más de 180 días antes de que finalice el contrato actual.

• Las ofertas de renovación deben presentarse por escrito e incluir información esencial, como la dirección de la propiedad, el monto del alquiler, las tarifas, la duración del contrato, los cambios respecto al contrato actual y la fecha límite para aceptar la oferta.

• Se debe conceder a los inquilinos un plazo mínimo de 15 días para considerar la oferta de renovación antes de que se les pueda exigir la firma de un nuevo contrato.

El objetivo de estos requisitos es dar a los inquilinos más tiempo para tomar decisiones informadas sobre su vivienda sin sentirse presionados a renovar el contrato.

¿A QUIÉNES AFECTA?

La ordenanza se aplica a la mayoría de los contratos de alquiler residencial que tienen una duración de ocho meses o más que se hayan formalizado después del 24 de febrero de 2026. Aunque algunos tipos de vivienda, como las residencias de fraternidades o hermandades y las residencias estudiantiles, están exentos, los requisitos de la ordenanza se aplican tanto a estudiantes como

a no estudiantes en los contratos de alquiler residencial que cumplen los criterios establecidos.

CÓMO REPORTAR INFRACCIONES

La Ciudad ha establecido un proceso de quejas e investigación para abordar las presuntas infracciones. Los inquilinos que consideren que se ha infringido la

ordenanza pueden presentar una queja ante la Ciudad enviando un correo electrónico a earlylease@ collegeparkmd.gov. Las quejas pueden presentarse en línea o en persona.

Para obtener más información, consultar las preguntas frecuentes y saber cómo presentar una queja, visite www.collegeparkmd.gov/elo.

¡CUÉNTANOS! ¡CUÉNTANOS!

Descargue GRATIS la aplicación de la Ciudad de College Park para acceder fácilmente a los servicios en línea, o visite collegeparkmd.gov/tellus.

ANUNCIOS Y EVENTOS DE LA CIUDAD

Más información: www.collegeparkmd.gov

DÍA DEL BUEN VECINO 2026

Fecha límite para nominar proyectos: 9 de agosto

¿Conoce algún proyecto comunitario que necesite ayuda?

La fecha límite para presentar propuestas de proyectos para el Día del Buen Vecino 2026 es el 9 de agosto.

El evento de este año se llevará a cabo el sábado 24 de octubre de 2026. Para enviar una propuesta u obtener más información, visite www.communityengagement. umd.edu/good-neighbor-day.

Si tiene preguntas, envíe un correo electrónico a thecenter@ umd.edu.

RECORDATORIO SOBRE

LA PREVENCIÓN DE RATAS

Las ratas se sienten atraídas por lugares donde hay comida, agua y refugio disponibles. Las obras de construcción también pueden alterar las madrigueras existentes, haciendo que las ratas sean más visibles en los vecindarios circundantes. Los residentes y negocios pueden ayudar a reducir la presencia de ratas eliminando los factores que las atraen.

Utilice contenedores de basura resistentes y con tapa, enjuague los envases de alimentos antes de reciclarlos, retire la comida para mascotas y las semillas para pájaros caídas que se encuentren afuera, elimine el agua estancada, evite poner basura en las pilas de compost, recórte la vegetación, retire los escombros y selle las madrigueras o aberturas alrededor de los edificios.

Si la presencia de ratas persiste después de haber eliminado estos factores de atracción, los residentes deberían considerar contactar a un profesional autorizado en control de plagas. Las inquietudes relacionadas con sustancias que atraen roedores pueden reportarse al Departamento de Cumplimiento de Códigos de College Park al 240487-3588.

Para más información sobre la prevención de ratas, visite www. collegeparkmd.gov.

MERCADO DE AGRICULTORES DE HOLLYWOOD

Sábados hasta Noviembre | 10:00 a. m. – 2:00 p. m.

Todavía hay tiempo de sobra para visitar el Mercado de Agricultores de Hollywood (Hollywood Farmers Market), que se celebra todos los sábados hasta Noviembre, de 10:00 a. m. a 2:00 p. m., en el 9803 de Rhode Island Ave., College Park.

El mercado ofrece productos frescos cultivados localmente, artículos artesanales, alimentos preparados y música en vivo.

Para consultar la lista actualizada de vendedores, productos de temporada, artistas y actividades especiales, visite www. hollywoodmarket.org.

NOCHE NACIONAL DE VIGILANCIA VECINAL

Martes 4 de agosto de 2026 | 6:00 p. m. – 8:30 p. m. | Duvall Field (9119 Rhode Island Ave.)

El evento “National Night Out” regresa el martes 4 de agosto, reuniendo a los residentes con funcionarios locales de seguridad pública y personal de respuesta a emergencias para una noche centrada en la comunidad y la seguridad pública. El evento ofrece la oportunidad de conocer a quienes sirven a la comunidad y de conectar con los vecinos.

También se invita a los residentes a encender las luces de sus porches desde el anochecer hasta la medianoche del 4 de agosto en apoyo a la seguridad pública. Para más información, visite www. collegeparkmd.gov.

NOCHE DE JUEGOS DEL VECINDARIO

Jueves 6 de agosto de 2026 | 6:00 p. m. – 8:00 p. m. | Berwyn Park (8301 49th Ave.)

Reúnase con familiares y amigos —o conozca a un vecino— en la Noche de Juegos del Vecindario el jueves 6 de agosto en Berwyn Park. Disfrute de una velada con juegos al aire libre, juegos de cartas, desafíos divertidos, manualidades, obsequios y más, mientras conecta con la comunidad.

La entrada es gratuita, siempre que el clima lo permita. Para más información, visite www. collegeparkmd.gov/gamenight.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!

ENCORE VIERNES 14 y 28 de agosto de 2026 | 6:00 p. m. – 8:30 p. m. | City Hall Plaza (7401 Baltimore Ave.)

Friday Night LIVE! ENCORE continúa este mes de agosto con dos noches de música en vivo y entretenimiento en la plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Plaza). El grupo Black Masala estará el 14 de agosto, seguido por Dead Flowers el 28 de agosto.

La serie de conciertos de verano ofrece música en vivo, actividades para niños —incluyendo un castillo inflable y manualidades— y entretenimiento para todas las edades. La entrada es gratuita y

hay estacionamiento sin costo disponible en el garaje del centro (Downtown Parking Garage), en la esquina de Yale Avenue y Knox Road.

BAILAMOS!

Viernes 18 de septiembre de 2026 | 6:00 p. m. – 9:00 p. m. | Duvall Field (9119 Rhode Island Ave.)

Celebre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana en ¡Bailamos!, un evento comunitario que reconoce las tradiciones y contribuciones de las culturas hispanas y latinas. Disfrute de una noche de música en vivo, actividades infantiles y baile mientras celebra la rica diversidad cultural de nuestra comunidad.

Para obtener detalles y actualizaciones sobre el evento, visite www.collegeparkmd.gov/ events.

Únete a tus vecinos en el 2026

NACIONAL

MARTES, 4 DE AGOSTO | 6:00- 8:30PM

DUVALL FIELD 9119 RHODE ISLAND AVE., COLLEGE PARK, MD

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES

MERCADO DE AGRICULTORES

Todos los sábados 10AM - 2PM 11 de abril – 21 de noviembre

Hollywood Shopping Center 9803 Rhode Island Ave., College Park, MD

La ciudad solicita restricciones para las edificaciones “accesorias”

Por SHARON O’MALLEY

Funcionarios de College Park solicitaron al condado de Prince George imponer requisitos estrictos a los propietarios que deseen construir viviendas accesorias, como cabañas en el patio trasero o apartamentos en los sótanos, mientras las autoridades evalúan cómo aplicar la ley estatal que legalizó la construcción de dichas unidades. El año pasado, el estado adoptó una ley que obliga a los condados y las ciudades a permitir que los propietarios añadan unidades de vivienda accesoria (ADU, por sus siglas en inglés), también llamadas “granny flats” o “in-law suites”, ya sea como edificios independientes, remodelaciones de garajes o apartamentos en áticos, por ejemplo.

Hasta ahora, el condado de Prince George no permitía las ADU. El condado, que tiene autoridad en materia de zonificación sobre municipios como College Park, ha creado un Grupo de Trabajo sobre Unidades de Vivienda Accesoria para establecer normas sobre tamaño, ocupación, estacionamiento y otros requisitos. El estado ha fijado como fecha límite el 1 de octubre para que los condados adopten la legislación correspondiente.

“El estado ya ha dicho que esto está sucediendo, así que debemos concentrarnos en el lado positivo y pensar qué regulaciones podemos establecer para garantizar que estas unidades sean seguras”, declaró Holly Simmons, concejala de la ciudad de College Park (Distrito 2), durante una reunión del concejo en julio.

Dado que College Park, sede de la Universidad de Maryland (UMD), cuenta con una población de estudiantes que viven fuera del campus superior al promedio, las autoridades han expresado su preocupación que las ADU puedan acelerar la transformación de viviendas unifamiliares en propiedades de alquiler más densas, especialmente cuando pertenecen a inversionistas y no a propietarios residentes.

En una carta dirigida al grupo de trabajo, el alcalde Fazlul Kabir señaló que aproximadamente 18,980 estudiantes de pregrado de la UMD —equivalentes a 61% de la matrícula total— viven fuera del campus, en una ciudad con cerca de 34,740 habitantes.

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El condado de Prince George está evaluando normativas para las unidades de vivienda auxiliares —como pequeñas casas en el patio trasero o apartamentos en sótanos—, cuya autorización es obligatoria para condados y ciudades según lo establecido por el estado. Las autoridades de College Park han presentado diversas propuestas con el fin de evitar el hacinamiento y garantizar la seguridad de los inquilinos. En la imagen se muestra una segunda vivienda situada detrás de la residencia principal en el barrio de Berwyn, en College Park. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

“Podríamos estar aumentando considerablemente la capacidad de algunas de estas propiedades”, dijo el concejal Jacob Hernandez (Distrito 1). “Si usted vive al lado de una de estas propiedades, de un momento a otro podría tener un hotel junto a su casa o una especie de residencia estudiantil que ahora alberga a 10 personas, si eso está permitido por la ley estatal”.

El condado limita a cinco el número de personas sin parentesco que pueden vivir en una misma vivienda. Por lo tanto, si un propietario añade una segunda estructura a la propiedad, se le podría permitir alojar a cinco personas en cada unidad. Hernandez añadió que una afluencia de inquilinos en unidades de vivienda accesoria dentro de vecindarios de hogares unifamiliares podría ejercer presión sobre los servicios públicos sin incrementar la base tributaria de la ciudad.

Los legisladores estatales han afirmado que la ley, promulgada en abril de 2025 por el gobernador de Maryland, Wes Moore,

aumentará la oferta de viviendas asequibles, mientras genera ingresos para los propietarios. Además, permitirá que las familias convivan en una sola propiedad sin tener que amontonarse en la casa principal.

Kabir, en su blog Kabir Cares, señaló que las viviendas también podrían presentar desafíos, como una mayor demanda de estacionamiento y cambios en el carácter de los vecindarios unifamiliares.

En dos cartas enviadas al condado, la ciudad ha solicitado que las normas sobre las ADU permitan a los gobiernos locales aprobar dichas unidades mediante una excepción especial, en lugar de dejar el proceso abierto e indefinido; que se obligue al propietario a construir al menos dos espacios para estacionar fuera de la vía pública por cada nueva estructura, y que se exija a los propietarios registrar las ADU si tienen intención de alquilarlas, facilitando así que la ciudad y el condado garanticen el cumplimiento de las normas de seguridad

y otras regulaciones.

Las autoridades también han sugerido que no se permita más de una ADU por lote y que las unidades no superen los 1,000 pies cuadrados, 50% del área ocupada por la vivienda principal o 10% del terreno, lo que resulte menor.

Además, la ciudad ha solicitado al condado que rechace cualquier solicitud de los propietarios para construir a menos de 3 pies del límite de la propiedad.

Simmons emitió el único voto en contra de enviar las cartas al condado. Manifestó su oposición al intento de la ciudad de restringir el proceso de aprobación.

“Esto desincentivará la construcción de ADU”, afirmó. “Si hacemos que el proceso sea más complejo, más caro y requiera un procedimiento público mucho más extenso para obtener la aprobación, probablemente las únicas personas que puedan hacerlo sean quienes tienen grandes recursos económicos: desarrolladores e inversionistas de nuestra ciudad”. los temas clave era la alegría, un elemento que actuaba como “hilo conductor a lo largo de la historia de Lakeland”.

Su fotografía histórica favorita muestra a tres chicas jóvenes integrantes del equipo de animadoras posando frente a un supermercado del vecindario. Aunque la imagen no fue incluida en la exposición, Gregory

afirmó que permanece muy presente en su memoria. “Lo veo como un momento en el que simplemente son ellas mismas y disfrutan de lo que hacen”, dijo Gregory. “No existe conciencia del mundo exterior que las rodea y que convierte la vida en una negociación constante y, en ocasiones, llena de peligros”.

El Museo de Aviación, situado en el aeropuerto de College Park, se encuentra a dos millas de Lakeland. Al menos cinco resi-

dentes de Lakeland trabajaron en la estación de correo aéreo del aeropuerto entre 1918 y 1920.

Carol Allred, especialista en exposiciones del museo y cocuradora de “Reclaiming Our Space”, señaló que esa conexión fue lo que despertó el interés del personal del museo por difundir y enseñar la historia de Lakeland.

“Para mí, los museos son importantes porque son excelentes a la hora de mostrarnos

quiénes somos y quiénes son las personas que nos rodean, además de revelarnos el mundo en el que vivimos”, dijo Allred.

“Por esta razón, compartir estas historias locales es una excelente manera de cumplir esa misión”.

Gross expresó su deseo de que la exposición motive a los visitantes a contribuir a la construcción de una comunidad más fuerte.

“Nunca hemos pretendido

que Lakeland sea un lugar completamente único o especial”, mencionó Gross. “Creo que la experiencia afroamericana es especial. Considero que es una parte importante de la historia de nuestra nación”.

Gross añadió: “Abarca muchos de los fracasos del experimento estadounidense. Pero creo que también aporta conceptos que, si se les permite crecer y prosperar, pueden beneficiar a la sociedad en su conjunto”.

Reabre Duvall Field tras renovaciones

Por AYLIN AARHUS

Después de más de 20 años de planificación, el recién renovado Duvall Field está listo para abrir, con una ceremonia de corte de cinta programada para el 31 de julio.

La gran inauguración, denominada como el “Duvall Field Day”, incluyó discursos de funcionarios municipales, una ceremonia de corte de cinta, juegos y música en vivo.

“Este es un proyecto muy importante”, afirmó el alcalde Fazlul Kabir, “no solo por las instalaciones que hemos incorporado sino también por el dinero y recursos que hemos invertido”.

Duvall Field, ubicado en el 9119 de Rhode Island Ave, fue construido en los años 60 y ha sido renovado en varias ocasiones, una de ellas fue en 2017 cuando se añadieron un puesto de venta de alimentos y bebidas, baños y una plaza.

La última renovación concluida comenzó en marzo de 2025 e incluyó algunas ampliaciones como canchas de pickleball, bocce y baloncesto, canchas de béisbol y fútbol, así como máquinas para hacer ejercicio. Según un informe de la ciudad, el costo de la fase final del proyecto fue de 7,95 millones de dólares, financiados por el gobierno municipal y a través de programas estatales que ayudaron a financiar la construcción y renovación

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de parques y áreas de juegos. Las renovaciones se propusieron inicialmente en 2005, pero el proyecto no contaba con los fondos suficientes. En los últimos años, el confinamiento por COVID-19 retrasó aún más las obras, sumándose los problemas con el drenaje de aguas pluviales, señaló Kabir. Los miembros del Concejo Municipal de College Park expresaron su entusiasmo por la

tiempo que Maryland no puede negar oportunidades educativas a los ciudadanos estadounidenses que sí ofrece a los extranjeros ilegales en el estado”, declaró el fiscal general adjunto Stanley Woodward al anunciar la demanda en un comunicado.

“Al conceder matrícula estatal a los inmigrantes indocumentados, Maryland no solo está violando la ley federal, sino que también está subsidiando la educación de estas personas, lo cual cuesta a los contribuyentes de Maryland aproximadamente 9 millones de dólares en un solo año académico”, señala el comunicado. Además, sostiene que esta política convierte a los ciudadanos estadounidenses que viven en otros estados en “ciudadanos de segunda clase”.

La acción legal señala como demandados al estado de Maryland, a la Comisión de Educación Superior de Maryland y a la Junta de Regentes del Sistema Universitario de Maryland. El fiscal general de Maryland, Anthony Brown, dijo que su oficina está “examinando detenidamente la demanda”.

“Hoy, el Departamento de Justicia presentó un proceso judicial para quitarles una oportunidad a estudiantes de Maryland que crecieron aquí, se graduaron

reapertura del lugar.

La concejala Kelly Jordan (Distrito 2) afirmó que el campo recién renovado será “maravilloso para todos los residentes” de su distrito.

“Ahora será un espacio mucho más versátil, con numerosas instalaciones diseñadas para que los residentes salgan a jugar. Además, es un lugar hermoso aquí mismo, en College Park”, afirmó Jordan.

La acción legal señala como demandados al estado de Maryland, a la Comisión de Educación Superior de Maryland y a la Junta de Regentes del Sistema Universitario de Maryland. El fiscal general de Maryland, Anthony Brown, dijo que su oficina está “examinando detenidamente la demanda”.

Por otro lado, el concejal Alan Hew (Distrito 1) mencionó que los residentes están interesados en utilizar el espacio para practicar una amplia variedad de deportes, desde béisbol y cricket hasta frisbee. Hew afirmó que el campo será “un nuevo punto de encuentro para que los jóvenes y los residentes lo utilicen de una manera que no se había utilizado antes”.

aquí y están trabajando para construir un mejor futuro para ellos, sus familias y las comunidades donde viven”, dijo Brown en un comunicado emitido por su despacho.

“Responderemos en los tribunales, como lo hacemos cada vez que se impugnan las leyes de Maryland, y seguiremos luchando por los jóvenes de nuestro estado y por su futuro”, añadió.

La presidenta de la Cámara, Joseline Peña-Melnyk (demócrata por los condados de Prince George y Anne Arundel), quien también es inmigrante, calificó la demanda como “otro ejemplo de que el gobierno federal busca que los tribunales anulen decisiones de política pública adoptadas por los estados mediante el proceso democrático”.

“La Asamblea General aprobó la política de matrícula de Maryland porque creemos que los estudiantes que han crecido en nuestras comunidades, asistido a nuestras escuelas públicas y cumplido con los requisitos establecidos por la ley estatal deberían tener la oportunidad de acceder a la educación superior y contribuir al futuro de Maryland”, señaló Peña-Melnyk en un comunicado. “Una fuerza laboral educada fortalece nuestra economía y nuestras comunidades”. También afirmó que man-

“La imaginación es el único límite”, expresó Hew. “Esta actividad tan dinámica complementa una comunidad en la que vale la pena vivir.” Diversas organizaciones realizan entrenamientos y eventos grupales en Duvall Field, entre ellas el College Park Boys and Girls Club y varias iglesias locales.

Los funcionarios municipales también expresaron su interés en organizar más eventos públicos en el parque, como noches de cine y presentaciones de música en vivo, así como celebraciones promovidas por el gobierno municipal. Por ejemplo, el próximo 18 de septiembre, Duvall Field será la sede de ¡Bailemos!, la celebración de College Park por el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Kabir comentó que espera con emoción jugar al fútbol en Duvall Field y sugirió un partido amistoso entre los funcionarios municipales y el personal de la ciudad.

“Todavía conservo todo mi uniforme y los botines de fútbol”, expresó. “Así que los volveré a usar”.

Kabir concluyó que Duvall Field tiene un papel importante para para fortalecer el sentido de comunidad en College Park. “Toda gira en torno a la participación comunitaria, aquí pueden reunirse y disfrutar juntos durante todo el año”, afirmó el alcalde.

tiene su confianza en “la solidez de la legislación de Maryland”.

De acuerdo con la ley, pueden acceder a la matrícula con tarifa estatal los inmigrantes indocumentados que residan en Maryland, se hayan graduado de una escuela secundaria del estado, hayan pagado impuestos estatales sobre la renta durante al menos dos años y soliciten la residencia permanente dentro de los 30 días posteriores a ser elegibles para hacerlo, entre otros requisitos.

Maryland se convierte en el decimotercer estado contra el que el Departamento de Justicia ha emprendido acciones legales por ofrecer matrícula con tarifa estatal a inmigrantes indocumentados residentes. Los otros estados son Virginia, Nueva Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas y California.

Maryland Matters forma parte de States Newsroom, una red de noticias sin ánimo de lucro apoyada por subvenciones y una coalición de donantes registrada como una organización benéfica pública 501c(3). Maryland Matters mantiene la independencia editorial. Reproducido con autorización. Para consultas, comuníquese con el editor Steve Crane en: editor@marylandmatters.org