september2026_collegepark_web

ADENTRO: YOUR LOCAL NEWS EN ESPAÑOL! READ COLLEGE PARK AQUÍ Y AHORA — P. 15 LOCAL AUTHOR: Former City Councilmember writes children’s books, P.4 BACK IN BUSINESS: Boys & Girls Club restarts in city, P. 11

VOL. 7 NO. 9

SEPTEMBER 2026

FBI HEADQUARTERS: Court says FBI can open in Greenbelt, P. 13

COLLEGE PARK’S AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Retail, residential hub planned near Metro Tiafoe heads to U.S. Open after surgery By SHARON O’MALLEY

A massive new multi-phase development is taking shape near the College Park Metro and Purple Line station, promising to transform a stretch of industrial land and parking lots into a walkable neighborhood hub. The project, called Aviation Landing, was presented to the College Park City Council on Aug. 5 as developers outlined their vision for the property at the intersection of Campus Drive and Corporal Frank Scott Drive. Terrapin Development Co.—a joint venture between the University of Maryland and the University of Maryland Foundation—is leading the effort alongside Mosaic Development Partners and local fire protection firm 4 Castles. “This project is—it’s been our baby for a while,” Jessica Jones of Terrapin Development Co. told the council. She noted that the site sits directly across from the transit connections and just south of the historic College Park Airport. Phase 1 of the four-phase proj-

By AYLIN AARHUS

fordability. Councilmember Ray Ranker (District 3) emphasized that the project must accommodate lower-income renters. Ranker said the city has an abundance of housing targeted to

College Park’s homegrown tennis superstar is headed to the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 30. Frances Tiafoe, who ranks 23rd in the world in men’s singles, was born in Hyattsville and spent most of his youth at College Park’s Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC), where his father worked as a custodian. He would sit and watch older kids take tennis lessons, soaking in the sport. “He was so observant, watching everything,” said Martin Blackman, the current CEO of JTCC, who met Tiafoe when he was a young child. “You could tell that he had fallen in love with tennis.” Tiafoe began taking lessons when he was 5 and played whenever he could, even with the se-

SEE RETAIL ON 13 

SEE TIAFOE ON 12 

Aviation Landing will include a large apartment building and a plaza filled with stores and restaurants. Developers say they expect to break ground late next year. RENDERING COURTESY OF DESIGN COLLECTIVE

ect, which will sit on what is now a 2.6-acre, county-owned surface parking lot, calls for 300 to 350 apartments, 262 parking spaces and roughly 30,000 to 35,000 square feet of commercial space, along with an open public plaza

dubbed the Village Green. Project leaders said 20% of the initial housing units will be set aside for affordable workforce housing. While councilmembers generally welcomed new activity at the site, they pressed the team on af-

Quantum World Congress comes to College Park The Quantum World Congress is coming to College Park in September, bringing hundreds of scientists, tech executives and government leaders from around the world and across the country to Baltimore Avenue. The three-day international

gathering, organized by the regional nonprofit Connected DMV, will run Sept. 23–25 at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, located at 7777 Baltimore Ave., across from the campus. College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said the event is an opportunity to show members of the quantum community, including many who may eventu-

ally take related jobs in College Park and move to the area, what the city has to offer. Kabir noted that hosting the global summit gives College Park an unprecedented chance to show off its community directly to the leaders and researchers driving the high-tech industry. SEE QUANTUM ON 12 

The headquarters of IonQ, located at 4505 Campus Drive in College Park’s Discovery District, serves as a cornerstone of the region’s expanding quantum computing hub JONATHAN PETER BELLING

Check out the latest issues of the College Park Post, in both English and Español!

CITY OF

COLLEGE PARK

COLLEGE PARK POST

THE

By SHARON O’MALLEY

September 2026

Edition 75 I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE

RK GE PA

BAILAMOS

BAILAMOS

I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE

RK GE PA

I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE

RK GE PA

AMOS BAIL

BAILAMOS

Bailamos September 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM DUVALL FIELD 9119 Rhode Island Ave.

Free admission

Learn more at: collegeparkmd.gov/bailamos

!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Bailamos An evening of music, dancing, and family-friendly The City of College Park will Heritage Hispanic celebrate Month with Bailamos! on Friday, September 18, from 6–9 p.m. at the newly renovated Duvall Field (9119 Rhode Island Ave.). Residents are invited to join us for an evening of music, dancing, food and familyfriendly activities celebrating the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. The evening will feature live music from Leonardo Garcia y Son Horizonte, a Washington, D.C.-area ensemble known for its lively blend of Latin Jazz and Salsa. Their music will provide the

celebrate with friends, family and neighbors. The event marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, from annually observed September 15 through October 15. The national observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week before being expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988. Today, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans and celebrates the cultural traditions enrich to continue that communities across the country.

fun at Duvall Field

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A community newspaper chronicling the here and now of College Park, Maryland.

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College Park Here & Now | September 2026

College Park Shopping Center sells for $53M By JALEN WADE and SHARON O’MALLEY College Park officials said the $53 million sale of the College Park Shopping Center in June could mean improvements to the property that might benefit the community. The shopping center, at 7236-7370 Baltimore Ave. next to the University of Maryland (UMD) campus, was jointly purchased by UMD-affiliated developer Terrapin Development Co. and Chicagobased Northpond Partners on June 17. “The positive thing is … there, we have a partner who can listen and that can work with [us],” College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said. “They have invested in College Park, and that’s their focus, and they will try working with us, listening to us, and listening to the community [about] what they are looking for, what businesses [they want] ... and bring those businesses to the shopping center in the future.” Ken Ulman, president of Terrapin Development, said the company bought the property because it’s a critical shopping center from the point of view of UMD. “That shopping center is about as centrally located to the university and to the community as one can be,” Ulman said. “It’s also arguably the last undeveloped block [in downtown College Park].” The 75,471-square-foot property was previously owned by the Rosenfeld and Freudberg real estate families for 40 years. It currently contains about a dozen retail tenants, including CVS Pharmacy, Bank of America, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks and Chipotle. The location also has 14,000 square feet of office space,

Councilmember Dan Oates (District 3), whose district includes the shopping center, said he is interested to learn more about how the site will be used in the future. “We want to continue to see a strong and vibrant downtown and commercial area in College Park,” Oates said. some of it unleased, Ulman said. “I’m not sure how many people who frequent the shopping center even realize that there’s … office space that sits above the wing from the Greene Turtle to the Starbucks, and it’s got dedicated parking on the west side of the property for the office,” Ulman said. Terrapin Development does not have any immediate plans to redevelop the property beyond facelifts to the office spaces and possibly to the shopping center’s facade. The new owners have brought in a parking management company, which could result in more readily available parking spaces, Ulman said. “I would say that we certainly understand that whether it’s somebody running into CVS to pick up a prescription

or somebody running in to pick up their food order, we’ve got to be thoughtful about how we manage that,” Ulman said. “We are in lots of conversations with the city to try to find the sweet spot of how to do that.” Kabir said city officials are happy the new owner is a company they are familiar with. “There [were] concerns in the community that, for example, there [would have been] a developer coming in to take it down and develop it,” Kabir said. “And, you know, if there is a development happening, most likely the existing businesses over there [would] be impacted.” Still, Michael Williams, the city’s economic development director, said the city would welcome improvements. “We’re looking forward to one day if the property does get improved and the density increases there, I certainly expect the city will be the beneficiary of the improvements.” Councilmember Dan Oates (District 3), whose district includes the shopping center, said he is interested to learn more about how the site will be used in the future. “We want to continue to see a strong and vibrant downtown and commercial area in College Park,” Oates said. “And hopefully this will contribute to making our city a great place to live.” Terrapin Development Co. is a company that works on projects in and around the UMD campus. Its previous projects include the development of the College Park City Hall; The Hotel at the University of Maryland; The Aster, a mixed-use apartment building; Union on Knox, which houses students; Discovery Point, a 550,000-square-foot office/research/ retail project; and Aviation Landing, a planned $85 million housing/retail/research project. Northpond Partners is a retail-focused real estate investment firm that acquires, develops and redevelops retail and mixed-use properties across the U.S., according to its website.

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September 2026 | College Park Here & Now

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Calvert Hills stormwater project remains on track By SHARON O’MALLEY Construction on a major Calvert Hills storm drainage project is pushing ahead, with two of its four phases remaining on track for completion in early 2027. The project’s other two phases are still in the design and permitting stage and aren’t expected to wrap up until 2028. The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment released a project update on July 31, showing steady progress on Parts C and D of the four-part effort to build an underground water management system through the Calvert Hills neighborhood. College Park officials said the progress report lines up with what they expected to see by this point. “They have completed ... a substantial amount of work,” College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said, pointing to the preconstruction surveys, the monitoring equipment, the sediment controls and the underground drain installation as major milestones. At the center of the project is a 220,000-cubic-foot underground storage vault system beneath Calvert Park. The system will capture runoff diverted across roughly

Kabir said the project is building reservoirs that will collect rainwater and drain it away from residential streets. “That’s a huge improvement,” he said. The system is expected to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in the old storm drain network and slow the pace at which water is released into the pipe beneath the CSX tracks. According to the county, crews have installed noise and vibration monitoring equipment, put sediment and tree protection measures in place, and installed storm drainpipes inside Calvert Park. They’ve also removed surplus dirt from the underground water management system, installed both the large and small underground stormwater systems, and connected the two. Oates, who lives in Calvert Hills, said the July status report did not surprise him. “They’re about on schedule,” said Oates, who noted that work on Bowdoin Avenue was slated to run from June through August and work on Dartmouth Avenue and Drexel Road was scheduled for June through September. Dump trucks will continue to be fixtures in the neighborhood

Construction continues on a stormwater management system in College Park’s Calvert Hills neighborhood. Prince George’s County officials have said the project’s timeline is on track. Shown, Bowdoin Avenue in Calvert Hills JONATHAN PETER BELLING

35 acres of Calvert Hills, holding peak flows before releasing them slowly into the 60-inch drainage pipe running under the CSX railroad tracks. Once vault construction wraps up, the disturbed site will be backfilled and restored as a standard softball field. College Park City Councilmember Dan Oates (District 3) put the neighborhood’s problem simply: “Calvert Hills, as the name suggests, there is the bottom of the hill, and water does go there.” He explained that the neighborhood’s combined sewer and

stormwater drains don’t have enough capacity to handle modern-day storms, and that the pipe carrying runoff under the railway tracks can’t be widened or duplicated. The new underground vault beneath Calvert Park will give the water somewhere to wait before it can move under the tracks. “This is the solution in order to both prevent flooding within the neighborhood and in people’s homes,” he said, while still “providing egress for the water to go somewhere during rain events.”

as work continues, though county officials said they do not expect any lane closures or detours. Kabir said he hasn’t heard complaints from residents about the construction. Oates said a few residents have reached out about issues along the way, and that the project team has been responsive in addressing them. Oates said he’s looking forward to the next phase but noted ongoing concerns about whether the neighborhood’s stormwater systems can keep up with increasingly frequent heavy rain. Officials have said from the start that this project will help, but it won’t fix everything. The county’s own project materials describe the work as designed “to reduce the frequency of significant flooding and to improve stormwater runoff conveyance,” while cautioning that it does “not constitute a solution to all flood events,” as existing buildings and infrastructure limit how big the system can be. “There is likely to be, after this is completed, still some surface flooding under certain types of rain events,” Oates said. “So it’s not going to be the solution to every problem but it’s a great first step.” Associate Editor Jalen Wade contributed to this report.

Rosapepe 21st District Democratic Team

Peña-Melnyk Ben Barnes Mary Lehman

BY AUTHORITY, TEAM 21 SLATE

Joseline

Standing Up for Working Families! COLLEGE PARK’S DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR

Jim Rosapepe Working with his 21st District colleagues to: • Stand up to Trump • Oppose electric rate hikes • Support UMD and our local schools • Invest in safer roads, transit, and neighborhoods

If you want to help us, scan the QR code, call us at (301) 642-0410, visit our website, 21stdistrictdelegation.com or e-mail us at 21stdistrictdelegation@gmail.com

Page 4 | CollegeParkHere.com

College Park Here & Now | September 2026

Lakeland activist writes 2 children’s books By ANETTE PEREZ As Gia Schwatka, a resident of College Park’s Yarrow neighborhood, strolled by booths of fruit, kettle corn, lemonade and handmade clothes at the College Park Farmers Market on July 25, a rack of colorful quilted jackets caught her eye. That’s not what she wound up buying, though. The jackets’ quilter, Maxine Gross, was also selling her children’s books, and Schwatka, a librarian at the New Carrollton Branch Library, walked away with one called “Rising, Rushing and Painted Rust.” The 28-page illustrated volume, which booksellers estimate is written at a fifth-grade level, is about two girls, Stormey and Skye, who ride their bikes around College Park’s Lakeland community during a storm. They discover the water of Paint Branch is rising dangerously high and set out to warn shopkeepers, neighbors, churchgoers, family and friends to get to safety before the floodwaters arrive. To Schwatka, the story was familiar. A resident of College Park since 1986, she recalled hearing about Lakeland’s flooded streets caused by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. “We used to take our children walking that land,” Schwatka, a grandmother, said. “We didn’t

Maxine Gross, a neighborhood activist, sells her two new children’s books at the College Park Farmers Market in July. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

know about [the history of] Lakeland … and I want my grandchildren to know a little bit about the story of a place where their moms grew up near.” Gross, a fifth-generation Lakelander, says that is exactly what she hoped would happen by publishing this book and another, “Neda’s Song,” which also emphasizes themes of community and working together against a backdrop of Lakeland’s rich history. “For a couple of decades now, I've been working on different projects related to the history of the community of Lakeland, and in that whole process, I've thought about different ways of bringing the stories of Lake-

land to different audiences,” said Gross, a former College Park City Councilmember. “And one audience that I really hadn't provided any type of content for was young people, and I felt that a story might be a way to do that.” Her intention for “Neda’s Song,” Gross said, was to demonstrate the strength and power of community. The 44-page story follows Neda, who uses her strong singing voice to bring her community together through a song after the antagonist, the Evil One, convinces everyone in Neda’s hometown to distrust and distance themselves from one another. After years of community

members not speaking with one another, Neda, as she grows from a quiet little girl into a brave teenager, finds the courage to sing her song, releasing everyone from the Evil One’s trance and eventually bringing the community back together to fight for the town. “Hopefully, the message that goes to children and adults is that you have to take your own agency,” Gross said, “that we all have responsibility to act in order to make change.” For Gross’s daughter, Lakeland resident Abigail Cohen, “Neda’s Song” was especially personal. “As I'm reading [“Neda’s Song”], I'm like, ‘What is this book about?’” she said. “Because some of these instances are way too … accurate in what it is that's going on here. … I was like, ‘This seems obviously familiar. Do you have something to say about what the book's about, mom?’” Gross said some elements of Neda’s journey do reflect her daughter’s experiences, explaining that Cohen, also a singer, attended a local music school, just like Neda does in the book. Gross added that “Neda’s Song” represents the gifts individuals can give to each other, such as art, music or simply listening. Howard County third-grade teacher Kimberly Gregory of Odenton discovered Gross and her books through her father,

Quint Gregory, who works at the University of Maryland and has supported Gross’s Lakeland projects. She explained the books teach children about how one person or an everyday kid can make a difference. “I think in both [stories], kids can really take this idea of … just taking a chance, having some faith, having some hope,” Gregory said. “You don't have to be … this famous person, this actor, this actress, this big political person. … You can just be an everyday kid.” While Gross said she intends the books to be read aloud to children, Gregory added that adults can find plenty to take away from the stories as well. She said she hopes “parents and families and teachers are able to read these books alongside their children, because [they can prompt] great conversation for children to have with [the] adults in their lives.” Gross self-published both books with the help of Quill & Co. Publishing, which assisted with illustrations, formatting and editing. Writing coach and book strategist Donna Knutson of Catonsville also helped guide Gross throughout her writing process. “[Gross is] telling stories that we do not have a lot of in print, especially not for children at this particular time,” Knutson said. “The streets that she talks about in her books actually exist. So she's bringing to life a period of time that children can't go [see in] a movie … because it's really not out there.” The books are $14.99 each and are available at bookstores, Walmart, Amazon and on Gross’s website.

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September 2026 | College Park Here & Now

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City weighs options for expanding local childcare By ANETTE PEREZ The College Park City Council on Aug. 5 identified expanding the number of local childcare options as a priority for the city. In response to an update on the findings of the city’s Childcare Task Force, councilmembers said they might consider helping College Park entrepreneurs start new daycare businesses with startup grants and offering municipal tax credits for parents by setting aside funding during the new budget cycle next spring. “As a parent with young children myself, I think it’s really critical that affordable and reliable childcare be available to all families who want it,” Councilmember Daniel Oates (District 3) said, urging the council to hold a work session on the issue in the fall. Oates identified the “lowesthanging fruit” among the task force’s recommendations as creating a dedicated page on the city website listing all local childcare providers. He also suggested using economic development funds to establish grants or subsidized loans to cover startup costs for new or expanding childcare businesses. Youth, Family and Senior Services Director Kiaisha Barber delivered the presentation, pointing out that initial research indicates establishing a licensed home-based daycare costs a minimum of $10,000 to $15,000. Some councilmembers said those costs are likely to be higher—up to $100,000. Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4) stressed the importance of understanding potential costs before the council considers its next budget. “I heard an estimate from a home childcare provider of about $50,000 to get that startup going,” Councilmember Ray Ranker (District 3) said. “They’re willing to expand [but] they just don’t have the money. … We could double capacity, you know, with an investment in there, and then even subsidize and prioritize College Park residents if the city is putting in significant funds or as a loan.” Ranker proposed that creating a larger supply of local childcare must take priority over focusing solely on affordability. Ranker also suggested that the city consider subsidizing local providers who obtain accreditation through Maryland EXCELS, the state’s quality and rating system, and said priority should go to those who extend hours

for after-school care and school day-out camps. Councilmember Kelly Jordan (District 2) noted that boosting supply must pair with affordability efforts, adding that location is critical because most parents want childcare near their workplaces to avoid paying for care during commute time. Jordan also noted that supporting in-home childcare gives residents flexibility for supplemental income while meeting parents’ needs for part-time or after-school care. Barber said the city recently secured a $25,000 grant from Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. The sevenmonth grant initiative, scheduled to begin in August, will explore the adoption of a municipal child tax credit. Additionally, the city is six months into a nine-month collaborative effort with the College Park City-University Partnership through the National League of Cities’ Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab. The initiative supplies tools and expertise to address maternal and infant health, family economic insecurity and early childhood care. Barber noted that she would like to expand on an initial task force survey of 35 parents to gain a broader understanding of how childcare shortages affect College Park families. Other councilmembers offered creative strategies for expanding care.

Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) reminded residents to participate in community meetings to demand daycare centers in new housing developments. Mayor Pro Tem Maria Mackie (District 4) suggested building a community network or web platform to connect stay-athome parents or gap-year students seeking nanny positions with local families needing care. Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) advocated for establishing partnerships with large local businesses and industries, while cautioning against adding city regulations that con-

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flict with state standards. The task force originally delivered its report in October. Its seven key recommendations include city-funded childcare scholarships, property tax credits, provider partnerships, community care matching networks, extended-hour care, a centralized information hub and transparency about costs for parents on daycare waitlists. College Park is home to 18 licensed childcare providers, including 11 centers, five home-based providers and two tax-exempt religious programs, according to the task force’s written report.

Councilmembers said they might consider helping new daycare businesses with startup grants and offering municipal tax credits by setting aside funding during the new budget cycle next spring.

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College Park Here & Now | September 2026

NEWS BRIEFS

VISIT STREETCARSUBURBS.NEWS FOR MORE

Little Blue Menu, which opened on Route 1 in 2023, will close early next year to make room for a full Chick-fil-A. The restaurant is a Chick-fil-A brand. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

Little Blue blues. After three years in operation, College Park’s Little Blue Menu at 7242 Baltimore Ave. will close early next year and convert to a Chick-fil-A. Little Blue Menu, a Chick-fil-A brand, was designed as a testand-learn concept for the main company. College Park is home to the only Little Blue Menu in the country. Another location, in Nashville, opened in 2021 and closed in 2023. A representative from the restaurant said Little Blue Menu will remain open and continue serving guests through early 2027. Unlike traditional Chick-fil-A restaurants, Little Blue Menu serves burgers, crispy chicken wings, onion rings, sweet potato tater tots and pizza, along

with Chick-fil-A standards like chicken sandwiches, nuggets and waffle fries. Latecomers. Did you get your sample ballot for the June 23 primary election after the election was over? You’re not the only one. According to the Greenbelt News Review, an unknown number of ballots from the Prince George’s County Election Board were delayed because of bad address lists, lack of response from the board to the mailing vendor and insufficient funds in a county postage account. The June 19 federal holiday also might have contributed to the delay. Maryland law required that the ballots be mailed by June 4. Some were mailed as late as June 19.

I’M YOUR LOCAL

Grade: A+. College Park Academy is the best public high school in Prince George’s County, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine ranked the charter school at No. 22 among Maryland high schools; 23rd among Washington, D.C., Metro-area high schools, 151st nationally among charter high schools and 795th out of 18,000 nationally among all high schools. In a press release from the academy, officials noted that the rankings place the school, which enrolls students in grades six through 12, among the top 5% of high schools in the country. The academy posts a 100% graduation rate, according to the school. Face off. Employees at MOM’s Organic Market aren’t allowed to wear face masks to work anymore unless they have a health-related reason and manager approval. The grocer announced in August that only employees who can produce a doctor’s note could wear the pandemic-style masks at work. A few days later, the company walked back the requirement for a doctor’s note, but stopped short of giving the OK to employees to wear the masks at will. MOM’s has 27 stores in the U.S., including one at College Park’s Hollywood Shopping Center. Welcome back. The award-winning Northwest Chinese Food, perhaps College Park’s most celebrated restaurant, reopened on Aug. 15 in a space shared by its sister eatery, Li Chun Café. The restaurant previously oc-

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cupied a space at 7313 Baltimore Ave., along a strip that recently was demolished to make room for a student apartment building. Ritchie’s Colombian Restaurant and Pho Thom, among others, also lost their leases. The new location is on the plaza at City Hall. Northwest Chinese Food will serve dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., while Li Chun Café, which opened there in March 2025, will cover the lunch shift from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant’s Li Chun tea bar will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Game, set, approved. The Prince George’s County Planning Board approved the expansion of the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) on July 30, brushing aside a request from the College Park City Council to hold off until the city could review updated construction plans. The board voted unanimously to approve the project’s mandatory referral—the review the planning board must give to any development on public land, including this one, before it can move forward—accepting a staff recommendation that requires JTCC to eliminate every building encroachment flagged by the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) before construction can begin. The vote came two weeks after the city council refused to endorse the expansion, arguing that neither body should sign off on a project before seeing the final design. Mayor Fazlul Kabir called the board’s decision to move ahead anyway “frustrating.”

Congratulations to us! College Park Here & Now took first place for best reporting on local government in the 2026 National Newspaper Foundation’s Better Newspaper Editorial Contest. Managing Editor Sharon O’Malley shared the award with contributor Sammy Liu and Kit Slack, the executive director of the nonprofit organization that owns Here & Now, Streetcar Suburbs Publishing. The award recognized their coverage of the 2025 city elections, notably the three-way race for two vacant College Park City Council seats in District 2. Game day gridlock. The University of Maryland is changing football game day traffic ahead of its Sept. 5 season opener against Hampton University. The changes target College Park roads around SECU Stadium. Traffic has remained a problem for fans on game days, even as attendance has dropped. For the first time in years, Presidential Drive will reopen as an active entry and exit route. The change mainly helps fans parking in Lots 1C, 1D, 1F and 3. It also helps Lot Z and Lot 1B permit holders, who will no longer share entry and exit points with those other lots. Alumni Drive is being split into two dedicated lanes. One lane serves Lot Z. The other serves Stadium Drive Garage. The goal is smoother traffic through the roundabout. New rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are being added at Lot P2 and Mowatt Lane Garage.

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September 2026 | College Park Here & Now

CollegeParkHere.com | Page 7

HAVIS FOR SENATE Maryland Legislative District 21

For the Citizens For a Change

Lee Havis

www.havisforsenate.com

Republican

Message to voters in College Park, Beltsville, and Laurel Born and raised in College Park, I've been a civic activist and advocate for freedom and citizen-friendly government for most of my adult life. In my private life, I am founder and director of a non-profit organization in the specialized field of scientific education.

In November, your ballot for Maryland State Senate in Legislative District 21 will show a choice to vote for either Rosapepe (D) or Havis (R). In fact, however, the vote is really between two very different visions of government, the Democrat higher tax, government control model of my opponent or the Republican model of lower tax/ more freedom for Maryland citizens, which is my vision as highlighted by the issues described here.

How to Fix Maryland Public Education

More Money?.... or Transformation! The current system of Maryland public educa‐ tion is failing students, leading to the disastrous result of their future failure to become productive, responsible adult members of society. The Democrat majority General Assembly approach of giving MORE MONEY to this failing system doesn't fix this problem. Needed instead is a total transformation of the whole system to return edu‐ cation to its original function of helping children

learn basic skills of Reading and Math, instead of building up a woke curriculum, which Ros‐ apepe supports, such as by his voting for “gen‐ der identity and sex orientation” studies in the K-12 public schools. More money? Maryland already has one of the highest per-pupil spending levels for educa‐ tion in the country. And since 2017, despite even more taxing for education, Maryland still ranks

Why are Electricity Bills so HIGH? Maryland's residential electricity rates are about 24% above the national average, making it one of the higher-cost states for electricity. The main rea‐ son is because there is a lack of cost-effective, reli‐ able local energy generation in the state. This is due to the Democrat majority General Assembly voting to join a “Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative” (RGGI) that penalizes cost-effective, reliable energy generation through clean coal and natural gas plants

Public Safety

In 2024, Maryland's violent crime rate was one of the highest in the na‐ tion, due primarily to lax enforcement of crime, especially among juveniles and as a result of the misguided policy of “sanctuary” for criminal illegal aliens. In 2026, Rosapepe and others in the Democrat majority Maryland

in the state. All that to save humanity from the perceived threat of too much CO₂ in the atmosphere! In practice, this foolish “climate change” policy forces fossil fuel plants in the state to pay a punitive carbon tax which is passed on to Maryland citi‐ zens in the form of higher electricity bills. And, ultimately, this has even forced some of these plants to close down completely.

General Assembly voted to pass the Com‐ munity Trust Act (S791) which restricts state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agen‐ cies like ICE, effectively creating sanctuary policies for illegal aliens. In the Maryland State Senate, I would work to restore this collaboration, as well as tighten state law en‐ forcement on repeat juvenile offenders.

For The Citizens, for A Change Don't forget to vote! Early Voting: October 22-29, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

havisforsenate.com

lee@havisforsenate.com

VOTE

below student performance levels in Reading and Math as compared with better student out‐ comes in states with much lower per-pupil spending. In the Maryland State Senate, I would in‐ troduce and work for passage of specific legis‐ lation to transform Maryland education, such as by providing parents with real choice and competition through a variety of alternatives to conventional public school placement. This would improve student outcomes and also lower taxes as well!

While Rosapepe and other Democrat legislators promote more so-called 'renewable’ green energy to lower electricity bills, wind and solar power generation has proven too expensive, unreliable and insufficient for large-scale use. In the Mary‐ land State Senate, I would therefore work to withdraw from the punitive RGGI and end Ros‐ apepe's war on cheap, effective, and reliable fos‐ sil fuel energy.

LEE

HAVIS For Maryland State Senate

Legislative District 21 on November 3rd! Visit my website or email me to learn more about these and other issues in my campaign for the citizens, for a change.

240-941-7737

https://havisforsenate.com

by authority, Havis for Senate, Glenn Davis, Treasurer

Page 8 | CollegeParkHere.com

College Park Here & Now | September 2026

Parkdale HS gets PTSO after years-long effort By CAIT HEIDERMAN After years of failed attempts, Parkdale High School will have a functioning Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) this school year thanks to a determined group of parents. Parkdale, located in East Riverdale, has been without a formal parent organization since the previous group led by Pastor Michael S. Dickson II became inactive in 2020. “It’s been a long time coming,” Nicola Netto-White, a Parkdale parent whose daughter is a sophomore, said. The effort gained real traction last year, bringing together an interim board of parents who worked alongside school administration to form a steering group and adopt bylaws, which were approved by a vote in June. Netto-White and Jenni Pompi, a Greenbelt City Councilmember whose son is a senior at Parkdale, are two of the four parents serving on the interim board. “I think it’s really important to have more parent involvement, particularly at a school like Parkdale, where the graduation rates are a little lower and test scores

Parents of Parkdale High School students have started a Parent Teacher Student Organization. More than 250 College Park students attend the school. GIUSEPPE LOPICCOLO

are a little lower,” Pompi said. “These families care deeply about education, and the PTSO is a way to help those parents plug in more to their children’s education and to what’s happening at school.” Parkdale Principal Tasha Graves reportedly was not in favor of the PTSO. Once Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Superintendent Shawn Joseph stepped in, Graves cooperated with the parents, according to Pompi. “I do know that as soon as Dr. Joseph and his team made clear that they wanted to support this, [Graves] did get on board,” Pompi said. “When the parent commu-

nity voted that they wanted an independent organization, she accepted that.” Graves declined to be interviewed for this article. The PTSO is formally incorporated in Maryland and working toward obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, according to Pompi. The group will also hold an election in September to establish a permanent board of directors for the school year. The PTSO will meet in person on the third Tuesday of each month at the school, which 257 College Park students attend, according to PGCPS. Pompi said the group is

looking into allowing parents and teachers to attend meetings both in person and virtually. In-person meetings will include a Spanish-language interpreter, provided by PGCPS. “It’s important that we have a board that is diverse and reflective of the school population,” Pompi said. “It’s always going to be important that we have someone who’s a native Spanish speaker because there are so many Spanishspeaking families at Parkdale.” Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) got involved with the effort late last year. “[The parents] were having a hard time getting hold of some of the administration officials and really just trying to overcome some of the challenges of restarting something like this,” he said. Hernandez said working with Parkdale families has been a priority for him. “It’s super important for local officials to get involved and build out a relationship with your public schools,” he said. For Netto-White and Pompi, working with Parkdale school administration proved to be an initial obstacle to relaunching the group.

“I think the school had different ideas of what they wanted in a parent organization, and so it’s taken some time to get everyone on board,” Netto-White said. Teachers, particularly coaches, are excited about increased parent involvement in athletics and school activities, Hernandez said. “Teachers and coaches were staying far beyond their work hours just to participate and be a part of the inaugural discussions of what the PTSO was going to be,” he said. Students also participated in restarting the group, including two who worked on the steering committee last year. “For most of these kids, there hasn’t been a PTSO at the school as long as they’ve been there,” Pompi said. PTSO fundraising ideas include a coat drive and raising money for spirit gear for sports teams, NettoWhite said. “We really want to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for our school families to all come together with a common goal of making sure that there is a bright light shining on Parkdale,” Pompi said.

CITY OF

COLLEGE PARK THE

COLLEGE PARK POST

Edition 75 E PARK I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE G

September 2026

BAILAMOS

BAILAMOS

I LOVE CIT Y OF

E PARK C OL L E G

E PARK I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE G

AMOS BAIL

BAILAMOS

Bailamos September 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

DUVALL FIELD 9119 Rhode Island Ave.

Learn more at: collegeparkmd.gov/bailamos

Free admission

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Bailamos! An evening of music, dancing, and family-friendly fun at Duvall Field The City of College Park will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Bailamos! on Friday, September 18, from 6–9 p.m. at the newly renovated Duvall Field (9119 Rhode Island Ave.). Residents are invited to join us for an evening of music, dancing, food and familyfriendly activities celebrating the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. The evening will feature live music from Leonardo Garcia y Son Horizonte, a Washington, D.C.-area ensemble known for its lively blend of Latin Jazz and Salsa. Their music will provide the perfect soundtrack for an evening of dancing and celebration. In addition to live music, Bailamos! will feature food vendors, community exhibitors, inflatables and crafts for kids. Residents can enjoy authentic cuisine, connect with local organizations and resources, and

celebrate with friends, family and neighbors. The event marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, observed annually from September 15 through October 15. The national observance began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week before being expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988. Today, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans and celebrates the cultural traditions that continue to enrich communities across the country. Bailamos! is a chance for the College Park community to come together and celebrate that heritage right here at home. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 18, from 6–9 p.m. at Duvall Field, and join us for an evening of music, dancing, food and community pride.

THE COLLEGE PARK POST | SEPTEMBER 2026

PAGE 1

OCTOBER 3, 2026

12-6PM

College Park Aviation Museum & Airport

1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.

LIVE MUSIC & Performers

FOOD TRUCKS & Treats

ARTIST ALLEY KIDS ACTIVITIES & GAMES HELICOPTER & PLANE FLY-IN

FREE MUSEUM ENTRY & MORE! Free nearby parking, Metro access, bicyle racks, and shuttle service

collegeparkday.org

College Park Day Returns October 3 Get ready for the City’s biggest event of the year Mark your calendars for College Park Day 2026, returning Saturday, October 3, from 12:00–6:00 PM at the College Park Aviation Museum and Airport, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive. The City of College Park’s biggest event of the year will feature free activities and entertainment for all ages. This year’s festival will bring music and performances to three stages. The Main Stage will feature local bands throughout the afternoon, while the Family Stage will

offer interactive entertainment for kids and their grownups. A Performance Stage will round out the lineup with additional music and entertainment. On the Main Stage, the day begins with a Taylor Swift Tribute with Enslow from noon–1:45 PM, followed by the Tom Starr Band from 2:00–3:45 PM. Closing out the festival from 4:00–6:00 PM is The Reflex Band, bringing an ’80s tribute performance to College Park Day.

THE COLLEGE PARK POST | SEPTEMBER 2026

There’s plenty happening beyond the stages, too. Guests can enjoy wandering performers, inflatables, carnival-style games, and a helicopter fly-in. Artist Alley will feature more than 20 arts and craft vendors, while community exhibitors will share information and resources. A variety of food and beer vendors will also be available throughout the event. College Park Day also includes free admission to the College

Park Aviation Museum. Free parking will be available nearby, along with free shuttle service from select locations. Bike racks will be available on site, and the event is within walking distance of the College Park–UMD Metro Station on the Green Line. College Park Day will take place rain or shine. For the latest event updates, complete performance schedules, parking information, directions, and FAQs, visit www. collegeparkday.org.

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Supporting Older Residents in College Park Local resources help residents stay connected and age in place Older residents in College Park have access to a range of resources that can help support their needs as they age in place. The City’s Seniors Program, for example, provides transportation to local medical appointments, assistance with government programs and paperwork, and events and trips that help residents stay connected. Meals on Wheels of College Park delivers meals five days a week while also providing quick and friendly safety checks. Another important source of community support is Neighbors Helping Neighbors of College Park (NHN-CP), a local village program that helps older residents age in place. Across the country, communities are using the “village” model to help older adults stay safely in the homes and neighborhoods they love. A village isn’t a building; it’s a network of neighbors, volunteers, and local partners who step in when everyday tasks become harder to manage alone. NHN-CP is a community nonprofit helping older residents remain at home with dignity, safety, and connection. Volunteers assist with transportation, household chores, yard tasks, friendly visits, and phone check-ins. Membership is free for College Park residents who need assistance. The organization also needs neighbors willing to lend a hand. Volunteers can choose

assignments that fit their time, skills, and comfort level. Drivers, friendly callers, organizers, handy helpers, event volunteers, and people with daytime availability are especially valuable. Volunteers receive training and complete appropriate screening before serving. NHN-CP is also looking for active board members and committee supporters who can help with outreach, communications, technology, partnerships, fundraising, finance, and volunteer coordination. A strong village needs more than good intentions; it needs people willing to show up and help build the system. To become a member, volunteer, or support the organization, contact NHN-CP at 301-222-3434, coordinator@nhn-cp.org, or www. nhn-cp.org. For information about the City’s Seniors Program, call 240-4873614. For Meals on Wheels of College Park, call 301-927-2700. Brought to you by Age Friendly College Park, part of the AARP Age Friendly Communities network. The Age Friendly College Park initiative is sponsored by the Mayor and Council of the City of College Park and coordinated by the Department of Youth, Family and Senior Services and the City’s Senior Advisory Committee. For more information or to volunteer, contact agefriendlycommunity@ collegeparkmd.gov.

Walk with a Doc Comes to College Park Take a walk, learn about health, and connect with others The City of College Park is hosting its first Walk with a Doc event on Saturday, September 12, at 9:00 AM at Lake Artemesia. Participants should meet in the parking area at 8200 55th Avenue. This free, doctor-led community event gives participants an opportunity to walk or roll at their own pace, learn about a health topic, and meet new people.

The morning will begin with a brief health talk by Tessie Aikara, MD, and Megan Windsor Lovely, PA, followed by a walk and talk around Lake Artemesia. The topic for the September 12 event will be “Why Walk? The Benefits of Walking.” All are welcome to participate. For more information about Walk with a Doc, visit www. walkwithadoc.org.

THE COLLEGE PARK POST | SEPTEMBER 2026

Fall Clean Up Saturdays Clear out unwanted items this October The City of College Park’s Department of Public Works will host Fall Clean Up Saturdays on October 10 and 24, 2026, from 7:30 AM–12:00 PM. City residents can bring bulky trash, white goods, electronics for recycling, brush, and yard trim to the Public Works facility. Bulk trash brought during cleanup days will not count toward bulk trash limits, and fees will not apply for appliances, televisions, or monitors. A $4 fee applies to all tires. Small quantities of household batteries and intact fluorescent light bulbs and tubes will also be collected during the cleanup events. Some materials cannot be accepted, including bricks,

concrete, rocks, and hazardous materials such as shingles, propane tanks, car batteries, paint, and smoke detectors. Document shredding will be available on October 10 only, from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. Residents can bring confidential documents for on-site shredding while they wait, and all paper will be recycled. Participants must be City of College Park residents and bring proof of City residency. Fall Clean Up Saturdays will take place at the Department of Public Works, 9217 51st Avenue, College Park, MD 20740. For more information, contact Public Works at 240-487-3590 or publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.

Make Your Garden a Stop for Monarchs Simple ways to support monarch butterflies at home Monarch populations have declined significantly in recent decades as a result of habitat loss from development and manicured lawns, pesticide use, and extreme weather associated with climate change. Monarchs are considered a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In late September and October, monarchs begin their remarkable migration south, traveling from as far north as Canada to the Oyamel forests of Mexico. When temperatures warm in the spring, monarchs begin their journey north in search of milkweed—the only plant where they lay their eggs. After the eggs hatch, monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed. Over the next two weeks, they undergo metamorphosis and emerge as adult monarchs. This cycle continues through several generations as monarchs make their way north. While these generations live only a few weeks, the final generation can live for up to eight months.

YOU CAN HELP Plant Milkweed Several blooming varieties are

available from native plant suppliers. The City’s Bee City Committee provides a list of native plant suppliers to help residents get started. Grow Native Plants Adult monarchs need nectar from a variety of flowering plants. Adding native plants to your yard or garden can provide valuable food for monarchs and other pollinators. Plan for Blooms Throughout the Seasons Planting flowers that bloom during spring, summer, and fall can provide nectar throughout the monarch life cycle and help migrating butterflies fuel their journey. Avoid Pesticides Reducing pesticide use can help protect monarchs and other pollinators that visit your landscape. The City of College Park participates annually in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, supporting efforts to protect monarch butterflies and their habitat. Learn more about supporting monarchs and finding native plant suppliers through the City’s Bee City Committee resources at www.collegeparkmd.gov.

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City Announcements & Events More information: www.collegeparkmd.gov CITY OFFICES CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY Monday, September 7, 2026 All City of College Park offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY MEETING

option available joining remotely.

Monday, September 14, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 PM | Hybrid

There will be no trash collection on Monday, September 7. Residents should be aware of the holiday closure when planning for their regular collection services.

Stay connected with public safety efforts in College Park at the next Public Safety Community Meeting on Monday, September 14. Residents can hear from City staff and public safety representatives and take part in conversations about safety in the community.

Additional information about City services and holiday collection schedules will be available at www.collegeparkmd.gov.

The meeting will be held at the College Park Woods Club, 3545 Marlbrough Way, with a virtual participation

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M P 2 M 10A r be m e v o N l i r Ap

THE COLLEGE PARK POST | SEPTEMBER 2026

for

those

For meeting details and virtual participation information, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov.

CONVO CLUB Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23 & 30 | 6:00–7:00 PM Convo Club returns this fall for students in grades 3–5, providing a place where participants can speak their minds, hear new perspectives, and build confidence in expressing themselves. The Department of Youth & Family Services supports

youth navigating challenges such as bullying, grief, social pressures, and more. Convo Club gives students an opportunity to come together and talk about the things that matter to them. Snacks will be served during each session. September sessions will be held on Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, and 30, from 6:00–7:00 PM. Participants must be residents of Prince George’s County. Registration is required by September 1, 2026, and space is limited. To register or learn more, call Youth & Family Services at 240-487-3550.

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September 2026 | College Park Here & Now

CollegeParkHere.com | Page 9

5th Lakeland Day draws current, former residents By CAIT HEIDERMAN Multiple generations of current and former residents of College Park’s Lakeland neighborhood gathered to celebrate the fifth annual Lakeland Day on Aug. 22 at Lakeland Community Park. The event, which featured live music, games, barbecue and speeches by community members, celebrated the storied history of Lakeland, a historically Black community. “It’s good to see people back,” Maggie Johnson, a longtime Lakelander who still lives in her childhood home, said. “It’s shrunk quite a bit, but to see everybody that had family or extended family here, too, is wonderful.” Mae Avery, a longtime resident of Lakeland, kicked off the celebration by leading a prayer. “I want to lift up all of our people who are not with us anymore, but have left a legacy for us to continue in,” Avery said. Her speech also focused on the importance of remembering the legacy of Lakeland, as well as former community members who passed away. “This affair needs to go off in peace to honor not only our legacy and our elders, but also the young children,” Avery said. Members of the College Park Restorative Justice Commission and District 2 College Park officials staffed a table advertising the Lakeland Legacy Members Program.

Lakelanders dance along to Eddie Williams & AWS Band at Lakeland Day. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

The member program is an ongoing effort by Lakelanders and the city to identify former neighbors displaced by urban renewal, encourage them or their children to return to the community, and to preserve and raise awareness about the neighborhood’s heritage. “Lakeland Day is the big day where people come back from all over the country to celebrate, see old friends and old family,” Aaron Brink-Johnson, College Park’s equity, inclusivity and outreach coordinator, said. “I think it’s important for the city to be here

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to really be able to connect with those folks that have been displaced.” Maxine Gross, a fifth-generation Lakelander and community activist, said the event allowed her to “see … faces again and … to talk to folks about the Lakeland Legacy Program. It’s just exciting to be able to pass that information on to everybody and hopefully have folks sign up and begin to participate in what will be the phoenix of Lakeland.” The event prompted a discussion about the importance of maintaining commu-

nity despite the urban renewal project that demolished family homes in the 1960s and ’70s, replacing more than 100 single-family homes with a mix of subsidized townhouses, student apartments and senior housing. “I think the importance of Lakeland Day has to do with how homogenous the community once was and the fact that it was kind of decimated based on urban renewal,” Robert Thurston, Lakeland Community Civic Association president, said. “This is a welcoming opportunity for those who are current Lakelanders, those that you know weren’t able to stay, to come back and enjoy their friends, relatives and neighbors.” One who came back for the event is Diane Ligon, whose family has lived in Lakeland since 1891. Ligon, who lives in New Jersey, said the community is still special to her. “It’s home and it’s been home for a long while,” said Ligon. “I think the knowledge about how African Americans survived between the Civil War and the civil rights movement is very underdocumented, and I think Lakeland is very representative of the culture,” Ligon said. Violetta Sharps-Jones, a fifth-generation Lakeland resident who serves as vice president of the Lakeland Community Heritage Project, spoke about her family’s legacy in Lakeland. “It’s just a lot of history, a lot of memories of families that are not here any longer,” Sharps-Jones said. “I’m glad that I was part of that community.” Sharps-Jones said she hopes people will continue to support the community through Lakeland Day celebrations.

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Page 10 | CollegeParkHere.com

College Park Here & Now | September 2026

COLLEGE PARK COMMUNITY CALENDAR SEPTEMBER Find more local events all month long in our online calendar at StreetcarSuburbs.News/events.

O

ur September calendar includes many events and meetings sponsored by the City of College Park and local nonprofits, including arts organizations and performance venues. For additional events and meetings organized by the city, see the College Park Post newsletter in this paper’s centerfold. We’ve changed our format to provide you with a more comprehensive list of events. For even more, visit StreetcarSuburbs. News/events. Please send notices of events taking place in October to heather@hyattsvillelife.com by Sept. 24.

CONCERTS > Sept. 2: Campfire Session (listening room), 7 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 3: Band Brûlée, eclectic jazz, 4:30 pm, Riversdale Farmers Market > Sept. 4: Tom Teasley & Chao Tian, improvisational percussionist and Chinese dulcimer player, 8 pm, Brentwood Arts Exchange > Sept. 5: Marcus Johnson, jazz with FLO vibe, 7 pm, Busboys and Poets; The Chromatics, highenergy a cappella, 8 pm, Maryland Meadworks; Zydeco Jed, East Coast roots, 8 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 6: The Nighthawks, a stew of blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly, 6

pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 7: DC Labor Chorus, music ensemble for solidarity, 2 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 9: Band Brûlée, summer jazz on the lawn, 7 pm, Riversdale House Museum > Sept. 10: Sadia, singersongwriter and multiinstrumentalist, 4:30 pm, Riversdale Farmers Market; Swampgrass, classic bluegrass/ gospel/rock, 7 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 11: Bad Influence, blues and roots music, 8 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 12: Local Band Showcase, 7 pm, Maryland Meadworks; Magical Mystery Four, guitarheavy/early Beatles, 8 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 13: Dede & The Do-Rights, rock ‘n’ roots country, 6 pm, New Deal Café Sept. 17: The Glen Echoes, a cappella, close-harmony quartet, 4:30 pm, Riversdale Farmers Market; O’McPub Band, Irish acoustic duo, 6 pm, Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. > Sept. 18: Hyattsville Jazz Collective, 7 pm, Maryland Meadworks; The Roustabouts, blues with dynamic lead fiddle, 8 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 19: Lou Black Trio, eclectic pop, rock, folk, electronic music, 7 pm, Maryland Meadworks > Sept. 23: Fall concert series, 7 pm, Riversdale House Museum lawn

> Sept. 24: Teresa Jiménez, versatile singer-songwriter, 4:30 pm, Riversdale Farmers Market; Shannon Leigh and The Good Bygones, bluegrass, 7 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 25: Gary Bouchie & GXB, hook-laden Southern rock ‘n’ roll, 8 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 25 & 26: IZIS la Enfermera de la Salsa, Friday 11:30 am, Saturday 7:30 pm, Publick Playhouse > Sept. 26: Janine Wilson and Arch Alcantara, acoustic roots rock and Americana, 7 pm, Maryland Meadworks; Built 4 Comfort, Wammie-nominated blues and roots rock group, 8 pm, New Deal Café

JAMS > Sept. 3: Wolf’s Thursday Blues Show & Sit-in Jam, 6:30 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 10: Indigo Girls + more acoustic jam with Eric Maring, 7 pm, Maryland Meadworks > Sept. 13: Hyattsville Irish Session, 11 am, Maryland Meadworks; InstaBand Live Jam, 3:30 pm, Maryland Meadworks > Sept. 15 & 29: Acoustic Jamming Class, 7 pm, Joe’s Movement Emporium > Sept. 17: Classic Jam with The Low Rent Quartet, 7 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 19: Saturday Jazz Jam, 3 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 23: UMD Jazz Jam, House band 7:30 pm, jam 8:30 pm, Busboys and Poets > Sept. 27: Hyattsville Irish Session, 11 am, Maryland Meadworks > Saturdays ongoing: Acoustic blues jam, 1 pm, Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation

OPEN MICS > Sept. 1: Songwriters Association of Washington open mic, 6 pm, New Deal Café > Sept. 19: Poetry open mic, 11 am, New Deal Café > Sept. 24: Singer and songwriter open mic, 6:45 pm, Maryland Meadworks > Tuesdays ongoing: Music open mic, 6 pm signup, 6:30 pm performance, New Deal Café > Thursdays ongoing: poetry, music and other performances, 8 pm, Busboys and Poets

KARAOKE & SING-ALONG > Sept. 6: Yiddish sing-along, 3 pm, Maryland Meadworks > Sept. 7: Monday Mauveness (live band) Karaoke, 6 pm, New Deal Café

ART EXHIBITIONS

Exhibitions run all month unless otherwise noted. Check websites or call for hours. > Brentwood Arts Exchange: “The Craftsmen Group: A Visual History” explores the intersection of technical mastery and communal legacy; “Trial by Fire” celebrates 25 years of the Washington Glass School (both start Sept. 8) > Publick Playhouse: Catherine Rupan Mapp explores diasporic identity in “Diasporic Frequencies” (starts Sept. 10) > Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center: “Ruminations: Our Stories in Paper” celebrates the first decade of Reading Road Studio and the possibilities of papermaking

THEATER & COMEDY > Sept. 4–19: The Lion in Winter by James Goldman, Fridays and Saturdays 8 pm, Sundays 2 pm, Greenbelt Arts Center

DANCE > Sept. 19: College Park Arts Exchange Circle Dance, 2 pm, Old Parish House > Sept. 25: College Park Arts Exchange Salsa Workshop, 7 pm, Old Parish House > Sept. 27: Family Square Dance with Becky Hill and the Hamlin Street Band, 3 pm, Joe’s Movement Emporium

NATURE & OUTDOORS > Sept. 10: History Boat Tour: The Audacious Joshua Barney, noon, Bladensburg Waterfront Park > Sept. 12: Maryland Native Plant Society native plant sale, 10 am to 2 pm, outside UMD Stamp Student Union > Sept. 15: Anacostia River Paddle Sport Tour, 6 pm, Bladensburg Waterfront Park

SENIORS > Sept. 2: College Park Seniors Committee Virtual Meeting, 7 pm, zoom.us/j/98633484511. > Sept. 14: Senior Lunch Bunch Boat Tour, 11:30 am, Bladensburg Waterfront Park > Sept. 28: College Park Age Friendly Virtual Workgroup, 1 pm, zoom.us/j/94380667412.

DON’T PUT ME IN A BOX Events that defy categories

> Sept. 9–15: UMD NextNOW Fest, live music/comedy/art festival, The Clarice > Sept. 9: College Park

Event details change! For more info, end times, ticket prices and cancellations, call venues or visit websites. > Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, Hyattsville, acousticblues.com > Bladensburg Waterfront Park, pgparks.com > Brentwood Arts Exchange, pgparks.com > Busboys and Poets, Hyattsville, busboysandpoets.com > City of College Park, collegeparkmd.gov > The Clarice Center for the Performing Arts, College Park, theclarice.umd.edu > College Park Arts Exchange, cpae.org/arts > College Park Aviation Museum, pgparks.com > Greenbelt Arts Center, greenbeltartscenter.org > Hyattsville Community Development Corporation, hycdc.org > Joe’s Movement Emporium, Mount Rainier, joesmovement. org > Maryland Meadworks, Hyattsville, marylandmeadworks. com > Maryland Native Plant Society, mdflora.org > New Deal Café, Greenbelt, newdealcafe.com > Prince George’s Publick Playhouse, Bladensburg, pgparks.com > Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, Hyattsville, pyramidatlanticartcenter.org > Riversdale House Museum, pgparks.com > Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., streetcar82brewing.com

Community Library Book Club: Tom Lake: A Novel by Ann Patchett, 7 pm, Church of the Nazarene > Sept. 12: Streetcar 82 8th Anniversary Party, noon, Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. > Sept. 12: Berwyn Day, 12 pm - 4 pm, Berwyn Neighborhood Park > Sept. 12: Walk With a Doc, 9 am, Lake Artemesia > Sept. 18: Bailamos! — Let’s Dance! Festival, 6 pm, Duvall Field > Sept. 19: Riversdale Hispanic Heritage Community Day, 11 am, Riversdale House Museum; Hyattsville Arts Festival, noon, Hyattsville Municipal Building and beyond > Sept. 20: Hyattsville Cyclocross race, 10 am, Driskell Park > Sept. 26: Latinas in Aviation Festival, 11 am, College Park Aviation Museum

September 2026 | College Park Here & Now

CollegeParkHere.com | Page 11

Boys & Girls Club reopens in College Park By CAIT HEIDERMAN After six years of inactivity, the College Park Boys & Girls Club is making a much-anticipated comeback, starting with youth soccer this fall. Angela Gentile, a College Park resident and parent, is restarting the organization, which has been dormant since 2019. “I think with the pandemic and the people running [the club], their kids aged out,” Gentile said. “It just hasn’t been active since then, so I’m just trying to get it active again.” The club will open with U6 (under 6 years old), U8 and U10 teams in the Prince George’s Soccer Initiative (PGSI) league. Teams will practice weekly at the newly renovated Duvall Field in North College Park starting in late August, with games on Saturdays in Hyattsville. “I’ve been trying to do this for years,” Gentile said. “We’ve been talking about it for years, but now I have a 5-year-old who’s ready to play soccer.” The lack of a local youth sports organization has meant

that College Park children often have to participate in programs in neighboring communities, she said. “We don’t have our own club, even though we have all these fields and all these kids,” Gentile said. “We just don’t have organizations. So I’m just trying to get it going again.” The fee for registration is $75 per player. The club will send payment instructions to families closer to the start of the season on Sept. 5. “I think it’s important to have a low-cost option,” Gentile said. “If we don’t keep up the local clubs, the only options are going to be expensive travel clubs.” City officials have emphasized that the effort must come from residents rather than city hall alone. “If we want an effort like this to last, it has to be residentdriven,” Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) said. “The best ideas come from the people who know our neighborhood and our young people best.” Gentile said she is seeking

parent volunteers to help organize the club and coach the teams. To get the club off the ground, Gentile has approached families at playgrounds and set up information booths at community events. Although the club is starting exclusively with soccer, Gentile said she hopes to expand to other sports as interest grows, a goal shared by families interested in joining. “I want to see what people are interested in,” she said. “I think the beauty about the Boys & Girls Club is you can have any of the sports. If there’s interest, people can make it happen.” Parents have suggested adding football, lacrosse, crosscountry, basketball and track, Gentile said. “I think it’d be nice if there was a balance of soccer, which is a pretty popular team sport, with something a little bit more individual, like a track or crosscountry,” College Park parent Christina Martin-Kenny said. Hernandez said resurrecting the Boys & Girls Club is about more than sports.

College Park parent Angela Gentile has resurrected the city’s Boys & Girls Club by forming children’s soccer teams. Shown, Gentile with her 5-year-old son, Arthur Hool. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

“It’s going to be about creating the safe spaces, fostering leadership, strengthening neighborhood connections, getting you

outside to meet your neighbors and really investing in the next generation of College Park residents,” he said.

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College Park Here & Now | September 2026

TIAFOE

In 2023, Tiafoe and the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation started the Frances Tiafoe Fund, which has raised more than $1 million to support free and affordable tennis instruction for young players. “One of my priorities has always been to show kids that dreams can come true and that success is in everyone, and this fund is just one step further to-

ward that goal,” Tiafoe said in a speech at JTCC after he established the fund. Blackman said Tiafoe has done a lot to inspire young players. “He’s kind of the perfect ambassador for a young player coming out of a tough circumstance, just making the most out of every opportunity,” Blackman said. “It makes it easier for the kids to see themselves when they know his story.” Saurav Patel, a computer science student, was previously co-president of University of Maryland Club Tennis. He said it’s “cool” to see a high-level tennis athlete come out of the DMV. “It’s nice that he represents the DMV area whenever he plays,” Patel said. “He either wears something from the area, like a jersey, or sometimes I know he wears a [Terrapins] rubber wristband. … To see your area be represented is cool because it allows other people that might not know what the DMV is to look into what he’s representing.” Tiafoe’s performance in the U.S. Open will shape whether 2026 is the comeback season he was hoping for. Patel said he has high hopes for Tiafoe in the tournament. After all, he has a home turf advantage. “It’s an American tournament,” Patel said. “He has the crowd on his side.”

celebrated as the home of the University of Maryland (UMD), but Kabir said the city has adopted a second identity as the “quantum capital of the world.” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in January 2025 launched a $1 billion “Capital of Quantum” initiative, centered in College Park, to cement Maryland as the global leader in the field, promising that the state will lead rather than “manage decline.” That push has helped fund a $185.4 million research building, Zupnik Hall on campus, with new labs for quantum, civil and mechanical engineering and a 100,000-square-foot headquarters expansion for homegrown industry giant IonQ in the Discovery District. Quantum technology uses the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles to tackle some problems faster than ordinary computers can, and others they can't handle at all. For the past four years, the annual congress met across the river in the District and Northern Virginia. This is the first time College Park, with its growing cluster of research and commercial startups, has hosted the event.

Kabir noted that College Park might not have been the best location for the convention in prior years because Purple Line construction near Route 1 and through campus might have created traffic headaches for visitors. He also pointed to improvements around the downtown portion of Route 1, including the addition of roadway bike lanes, upgraded landscaping and wider sidewalks, a state-led effort that wrapped up its first of three phases in late 2024. Attendance figures for the 2026 congress haven’t been released yet. Last year’s conference, held in Tysons, drew more than 1,100 attendees from 30plus countries. The roster includes top executives from firms like IonQ, IBM and Microsoft, and UMD President Darryll J. Pines, who keynoted last year’s conference. Kabir said he has proposed bus tours of the city to show off local landmarks like Lake Artemesia and the College Park Aviation Museum. In addition, he said, the city will hang banners along Route 1 and use social media to welcome visitors and let residents know about the convention.

FROM PAGE 1

nior citizens at the tennis club. “When [a foursome’s] fourth didn’t show up, they’d pull Frances in when he was 7, 8 years old,” Blackman said. “He’s out there with these 70-year-old guys and they’re loving it.” As he got older, Tiafoe emerged as a promising junior tennis player under the mentorship of thenJTCC coach Misha Kouznetsov. He was ranked second worldwide among junior boys, and at 15 he became the youngest player to win the Orange Bowl, a prestigious international junior tournament. Tiafoe would soon make the jump into professional tennis and climb the rankings of the Association of Tennis Professionals, peaking at 10th in the world for men’s singles in 2023. In 2022 and 2024, he had close calls in the U.S. Open tournaments, losing, in both cases, in the semifinals. But the last few years have been rocky for Tiafoe, 28. He had a difficult 2025 season, winning only 26 of his 49 matches, his lowest winning percentage since 2019. Tiafoe opted to end his 2025 season two months early to work on his game, saying it was “time for a change.” So far, Tiafoe’s 2026 season has been interrupted by an early loss in the D.C. Open in July and a cyst in his right hand in early August. The injury forced him to drop out of the Canadian Open, mid-

College Park-trained tennis superstar Frances Tiafoe is heading for the U.S. Open on Aug. 30. Shown, Tiafoe at the U.S. Open in 2024, where he lost in the semifinals. DELTAWORKS/PIXABAY

match, and undergo surgery. Tiafoe quickly returned to the court for the Cincinnati Open, where he defeated Italian player Lorenzo Sonego and American Learner Tien, before he was taken out of the running by Arthur Fils of France in the tournament final. Tiafoe has made $18 million in prize money alone over the course of his career, but he wasn’t born into wealth. His parents immigrated to the U.S. after fleeing the civil war in Sierra Leone. He was able to take free tennis lessons and got financial support

from JTCC coaches to compete in tournaments, but Blackman said a lot of young players aren’t given those opportunities. Tennis is known as an expensive sport to play competitively. Blackman estimated young players aiming to become Division I college athletes spend a minimum of $30,000 to $50,000 per year on tennis coaching and tournament expenses.

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“The attendees will be going to local businesses and seeing the College Park potential,” said Kabir, who has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Manchester and what he called “a special interest” in the growing field of quantum technology. “Also, all the industries that will be coming, attending, speaking, they might consider setting up their businesses in College Park if they haven’t yet.” Kabir said he expects conference-goers to stay in local hotels and sample the city’s restaurants. “We are the local city,” he said. “A significant portion of those attendees … I don’t think they’ll be going far away to eat.” Kabir added: “Any time a conference comes to the city, the city takes advantage of promoting it, so people who attend this conference, they know what is happening. … It’s a twofold benefit. One is to support our businesses and [two is] to promote College Park as a home, including our businesses, and promote all the good things here.” College Park has long been

September 2026 | College Park Here & Now

CollegeParkHere.com | Page 13

Judge orders FBI headquarters to Greenbelt By JALEN WADE A federal judge on Aug. 17 restored Greenbelt as the site of a new FBI headquarters, shooting down plans by the Trump administration to move the agency to the Ronald Reagan Building in the District. “It’s a good thing,” College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said. “If the FBI moves to Greenbelt, all of the communities around Greenbelt … including College Park, will benefit. It will bring jobs. They are talking about thousands of jobs coming. The residents will benefit. The businesses around College Park will benefit.” Joseline Peña-Melnyk, speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, agreed, saying the ruling is a victory for Prince George’s County. “What happens in Greenbelt will reach far beyond one site or one legislative district,” Peña-

RETAIL FROM PAGE 1

tenants with incomes within 80% to 90% of area median income (AMI) but lacks affordable units for lower-income residents. Initial plans show Aviation Landing’s affordable units would be for those with 90% of AMI or less. “It’s really the 60% and below [that’s needed],” Ranker said. “I know this is early, but we would really want to focus on the quantity being in the 60% and below.” Councilmember Dan Oates (District 3) voiced enthusiasm for redeveloping the site while highlighting the broader community context. “I, for one, am excited to turn some vacant parking lots into more productive use for the city,” he said. Oates urged the developers to

Melnyk, who lives in College Park, said. “Our communities are deeply connected, and an investment of this magnitude will be felt throughout Prince George’s County and in surrounding communities, including those I am proud to represent.” Maryland in November 2023 was selected to host the new headquarters under President Joe Biden’s administration, beating out Landover and Springfield, Virginia, which had also been considered. Yet in July 2025, the FBI and U.S. General Services Administration announced the new headquarters would be relocated from the Hoover Building to the Ronald Reagan Building, which would be renovated at a cost of approximately $555 million, according to the judge’s order. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang overturned that decision

on Aug. 17, calling it “unlawful.” “If the Reagan Building project moves forward, plaintiffs will lose the opportunity to have the substantial economic benefits that would have a positive impact not just on individual private parties, but on the community in Prince George’s County,” Chuang wrote in the order. In a video he released to the public, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who had filed the lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of Maryland, said his office will always hold the federal government accountable. “By blocking the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to move the FBI to the Reagan Building and divert the funds Congress set aside for this project, the court has cleared the path back to Greenbelt,” Brown said in a press release.

ensure the site delivers essential neighborhood amenities, such as childcare, and encouraged them to push the county to make matching infrastructure investments, including repairs to the bridge crossing the Anacostia tributary. Councilmembers also weighed in on pedestrian access and street design. Councilmember Holly Simmons (District 2) called for spacious sidewalks, street trees and urban landscaping rather than narrow walkways and suburban-style planting strips to ensure people feel comfortable walking along the street. Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1) urged the developers to account for the site’s unique neighbor, the College Park Airport. “You’re choosing to actively

build right next to an active airport,” Hernandez pointed out, asking what noise mitigation measures will be taken before residents move in. Developers responded that noise and traffic studies are underway. Mosaic Development Partners CEO Greg Reeves explained that addressing environmental conditions has been a central focus since 2023, as the site sits entirely on impervious ground within a floodplain and requires the relocation of a massive stormwater pipe. “We’ve been working on this project, and most of it has been around the stormwater management problems and the floodplain,” Reeves told the council. “It’s really a multi-million-dollar issue. What’s happening is most of the water that’s coming to that site

The J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in the District is home to the FBI. A federal judge has ruled that the headquarters be moved to Greenbelt. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The ruling is unlikely to be the end of the tug-of-war for the headquarters. The Trump administration could appeal the decision to a higher court, which would further delay the move. “Now we have to see what’s the next step,” Kabir said. “It could be an appeal against the judge’s decision. … You never know.” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has estimated that moving the FBI to Greenbelt would create 7,500 jobs

and generate $4 billion for the county’s economy. Kabir noted that employees seeking singlefamily homes would be likely to settle in College Park. “This has been a long process,” Kabir said. “We have invested lots of time and energy. We were very disappointed … when we were told that Greenbelt would not be selected; rather, the new site would be [located] in D.C. again. Thankfully, that was overturned … by the judge.”

is not being borne by the site; it’s coming from other sources.” Responding to a question from Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4) about accommodations for residents with disabilities, Jones said the apartment building will need to be raised by about five feet to meet floodplain requirements, and that the team is still working through how to make the building fully accessible given that change in elevation. Reeves also addressed questions about the intended residents, clarifying that the housing is aimed at working families and local em-

ployees rather than students. “It’s really working families, working individuals, people who are in the quantum district that want to work there and they don’t have a place today to go,” Reeves said. “It’s not for students. That’s not the goal of this development.” Construction on the first phase could begin as early as the third quarter of next year, pending regulatory approvals. College Park residents will have an opportunity to review the plans and offer feedback on Aug. 27 at a community meeting at City Hall from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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College Park Here & Now | September 2026

Residents meet police at National Night Out By ANETTE PEREZ Less than a week after the ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened the long-planned Duvall Field to the public, the park was the site of the city’s annual National Night Out event on Aug. 4, at which residents had a chance to meet local police officers. “I think it’s nice for [police] to have visibility in non-stress environments to interact with the local community,” Stephen Robie, a resident of College Park’s Calvert Hills neighborhood, said, “so that the community has the ability to view the police like ... everyday citizens, which they are when they’re not working.” Attending National Night Out for the first time, Robie said the event gives residents an opportunity to engage with College Park officers outside of emergency situations. College Park has observed National Night Out, which began nationally in 1984, for several years. The city once split the event into various neighborhood gatherings, but organizers consolidated it into one central location three years ago, according to

Capt. Michael Weller, assistant bureau commander for the University of Maryland Police Department, speaks with children at the city’s National Night Out on Aug. 4. ANETTE PEREZ

the city’s public safety and emergency operations manager, Ed Daniel, who organized the event. National organizers estimate that upward of 15,000 local communities hold similar events on the first Tuesday of each August. Booths lined paths through Duvall Field, and city and county lawmakers, along with officers from the Prince George’s County and University of Maryland (UMD) police departments and from the Branchville Volunteer Fire Co., made the rounds

through the crowds. For Capt. August Kenner of the UMD Police Department (UMPD), the event served as a way to build community relationships and foster positive interactions with residents. Kenner, who lives in Upper Marlboro, said she asked residents, “How do they like [local policing]?” and “Do they feel safe in their community?” “I would just like residents to know that all of us are here for your safety,” Kenner said. “Any

Plaque denouncing racism to hang in City Hall By JALEN WADE The College Park City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to hang a plaque in City Hall to commemorate its 2020 resolution denouncing systemic racism. The discussion, during which councilmembers and community activists supported the addition of the plaque, included a dissenting opinion from a College

Park landlord who claimed the urban renewal project that destroyed more than 100 Lakeland homes between 1969 and 1981 was not racially motivated. “In all the reading I’ve done about Lakeland, though, what I haven’t seen is racial oppression,” Richard Biffl, a Hyattsville resident, said. “It appears that your predecessors did the best they could for Lakeland. Calling them

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racial oppressors is an injustice by you.” Biffl said the city initiated the urban renewal program because Lakelanders requested it. Former Councilmember Llatetra Brown Esters countered that Biffl must not understand the reason for the city’s resolution. “To me, for anyone to question its focus means that they do not clearly understand or acknowledge the atrocities that impacted the Lakeland community,” Esters said. The plaque was designed by the Restorative Justice Commission

time you want to ask us questions, if you have any issues or concerns, reach out because the police are here for you, and that’s what we do: serve and protect.” Cpl. Errol Lobin, who has been a Prince George’s County police officer for 21 years, said the event’s value lies in the conversations between residents and law enforcement. “I think being a part of College Park is probably one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,” Lobin said. At National Night Out, he said, “citizens are meeting the officers in a neutral way, and you’re able to have more festive conversations versus, ‘Hey, my car was broken into,’ and it allows the breed of more camaraderie and shows the community that we do care.’” Vanesa Medina, a resident of College Park’s Hollywood neighborhood, said the event taught residents more about safety, especially for children who could be spotted petting service dogs, playing basketball and cornhole, bouncing in an inflatable house and dancing. “I would say that [more people] should come out, especially

when there’s … police officers and emergency people here to talk,” Medina said, noting the event “helps us also learn more about how we could [protect] ourselves.” College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir applauded residents for coming out to show their support for the officers, and he praised the renovations of Duvall Field. “This National Night Out … is all about the partnership between the law enforcement and the community,” Kabir said. “It’s all about … bringing the community and … the law enforcement together, so that we can fight the crime together.” UMPD Lt. Joseph Lilly recalled attending similar events growing up, which he said inspired him to become a police officer. He discussed the benefits officers receive when attending National Night Out. “If the people don’t trust the police department that … they fall under and they don’t support them, then our job becomes extremely difficult, much less effective, and we always have people questioning us,” Lilly said.

of College Park and will display wording from part of the resolution, which apologized “for the city’s past history of oppression, particularly with regards to the Lakeland community” and promised to “painstakingly seek out and confront systemic racism.” The wall near the plaque will display a QR code that links to the city website and information about restorative justice and the history of the Lakeland community. Councilmember Holly Simmons (District 2), who represents Lakeland on the council, explained her reasons for supporting the display. “Know that if we do not remem-

ber, we cannot repair,” Simmons said before the vote. “Central in my mind when considering this action are the importance of history, of language and of making good on the city’s adopted policy.” Maxine Gross, founding chair of the Lakeland Community Heritage Project and a fifth-generation Lakelander, said those who claim that Lakeland, a historically Black community, did not suffer from the impact of urban renewal are uninformed. “I find it very difficult when conclusions are made without actually reading the material, or reading the material in such a way that [the] reality of what’s on the page is superseded by someone’s other concerns and other prejudices,” Gross said. “Look at the reality. Read the reports. Don’t go by what somebody says it says. Read it for yourself.” From the dais, Mayor Fazlul Kabir told Biffl, “You are entitled to have your comments, but respectfully, we do not agree.” Kabir added: “Lakeland, as it was then, was so inspiring and a kind of blueprint for what we want in Lakeland and broadly in College Park now. This plaque is the next step in that direction.” The plaque will be around 30 inches wide and 40 inches tall and will cost $3,306, according to city documents.

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VOL. 1 NO. 8

SEPTIEMBRE 2026

EL PERIÓDICO COMUNITARIO DE COLLEGE PARK, GANADOR DE PREMIOS, AHORA EN ESPAÑOL.

Una placa condenando el racismo será instalada en el Concejo Municipal Por JALEN WADE El Concejo Municipal de College Park votó por unanimidad el 5 de agosto a favor de colgar una placa en el Concejo para conmemorar su resolución de 2020 que condena el racismo

sistémico. Durante el debate, en el que concejales y activistas comunitarios respaldaron la instalación de la placa, un propietario de College Park expresó una opinión diferente al afirmar que el proyecto de reno-

vación urbana que destruyó más de 100 viviendas en Lakeland entre 1969 y 1981, no estuvo motivado por cuestiones raciales. “En todo lo que he leído sobre Lakeland, no he evidenciado indicios de opresión racial”,

dijo Richard Biffl, residente de Hyattsville. “Parece que sus predecesores hicieron lo mejor que pudieron por Lakeland. Calificarlos de opresores raciales es una injusticia de su parte”. Biffl afirmó que la ciudad

puso en marcha el programa de renovación urbana porque los residentes de Lakeland lo habían solicitado. La exconcejala Llatetra Brown Esters replicó que Biffl probablemente no comPLACA / 17 

Boys & Girls Club reabre en College Park Por CAIT HEIDERMAN Tras seis años de inactividad, el Boys & Girls Club de College Park regresa tras una larga espera, comenzando con fútbol juvenil este otoño. Angela Gentile, residente y madre de College Park, está reactivando la organización, que ha estado inactiva desde 2019. “Creo que, con la pandemia, los hijos de las personas que dirigían [el club] crecieron y dejaron de tener la edad para participar”, dijo Gentile. “Desde entonces, el club no ha estado activo, así que estoy tratando de reactivarlo”. El club comenzará con equipos de las categorías sub-6 (menores de 6 años), sub-8 y sub-10 en la liga Prince George’s Soccer Initiative (PGSI). Los equipos entrenarán semanalmente en el recién renovado Duvall Field, en North College Park, a partir de finales de agosto, y jugarán los sábados en Hyattsville. “He estado tratando de hacer esto durante años”, mencionó Gentile. “Llevamos años hablando de ello, pero ahora tengo un hijo de 5 años que está listo para jugar fútbol”. La falta de una organización deportiva juvenil local ha obligado a los niños de College Park a participar frecuentemente en programas de comunidades vecinas, señaló. “No tenemos nuestro propio club, a pesar de que tenemos todos estos campos de juego y estos niños”, dijo Gentile. “Simplemente carecemos de organizaciones. Por eso, estoy tratando de ponerlo en marcha de nuevo”. El costo de inscripción es de $75 por jugador. El club enviará a las familias las instrucciones de pago cuando se acerque el inicio de la temporada, el 5 de septiembre. “Creo que es importante tener una opción económica”, mencionó Gentile. “Si no mantenemos activos los clubes locales, las únicas opciones serán los costosos clubes que requieren viajar para competir”.

La residente de College Park y madre de familia Angela Gentile ha reactivado el Boys & Girls Club de la ciudad mediante la formación de equipos infantiles de fútbol. En la imagen, Gentile junto a su hijo de 5 años, Arthur Hool. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

Las autoridades municipales han enfatizado que una iniciativa de este tipo debe surgir de los residentes y no depender únicamente del gobierno municipal. “Si queremos que una iniciativa como esta perdure, debe ser impulsada por los propios residentes”, afirmó el concejal Jacob Hernandez (Distrito 1). “Las mejores ideas provienen de las personas que mejor conocen nuestro vecindario y a nuestros jóvenes”. Gentile señaló que está buscando padres voluntarios que ayuden a organizar el club y entrenar a los equipos. Para poner en marcha el club, Gentile se ha acercado a familias en los parques

infantiles y ha instalado puestos informativos en eventos comunitarios. Aunque el club comenzará exclusivamente con fútbol, Gentile dijo que espera incorporar otros deportes a medida que aumente el interés, un objetivo compartido por las familias interesadas en participar. “Quiero saber qué les interesa a las personas”, dijo. “Creo que lo bonito del Boys & Girls Club es que se puede optar por cualquier deporte. Si hay interés, la gente puede hacerlo realidad”. Los padres han sugerido añadir fútbol americano, lacrosse, cross country, baloncesto y atletismo, manifestó Gentile.

“Creo que sería bueno que hubiera un equilibrio entre el fútbol, que es un deporte de equipo bastante popular, y algo un poco más individual, como atletismo o cross country”, dijo Christina MartinKenny, madre de College Park. Hernandez señaló que reactivar el Boys & Girls Club va más allá del deporte. “Se trata de crear espacios seguros, fomentar el liderazgo, fortalecer los vínculos con los vecinos, animar a la gente a salir y conocer a las personas que viven en la comunidad y realmente invertir en la próxima generación de residentes de College Park”, afirmó. Las inscripciones para fútbol ya estás abiertas.

Page 16 | CollegeParkHere.com

College Park Aquí y Ahora | Septiembre 2026

Proyectan centro comercial y residencial cerca del Metro Por SHARON O’MALLEY Un nuevo desarrollo masivo y multifase comienza a tomar forma cerca de las estaciones del metro de College Park y la Línea Púrpura, con el objetivo de transformar una zona de terrenos industriales y estacionamientos en un centro comunitario transitable a pie. El proyecto, denominado Aviation Landing, fue presentado ante el Concejo Municipal de College Park el 5 de agosto, cuando los promotores expusieron su visión para el terreno ubicado en la intersección de Campus Drive y Corporal Frank Scott Drive. Terrapin Development Co. —una empresa conjunta entre la Universidad de Maryland y la Fundación de la Universidad de Maryland— lidera la iniciativa junto a Mosaic Development Partners y la empresa local de protección contra incendios 4 Castles. “Este proyecto ha sido como nuestro bebé desde hace algún tiempo”, mencionó Jessica Jones, de Terrapin Development Co., ante el Concejo. Jones señaló que el terreno se encuentra justo enfrente de las conexiones de transporte público y al sur del histórico aeropuerto de College Park. La primera fase del proyecto de cuatro fases, que se ubicará en lo que actualmente es un estacionamiento al aire libre de 2,6 acres, propiedad del conda-

Aviation Landing incluirá un gran edificio de apartamentos y una plaza con tiendas y restaurantes. Los desarrolladores prevén comenzar las obras a finales del próximo año. REPRESENTACIÓN CORTESÍA DE DESIGN COLLECTIVE

do, contempla entre 300 y 350 apartamentos, 262 plazas de estacionamiento y aproximadamente entre 30,000 y 35,000 pies cuadrados de espacio comercial, además de una plaza pública abierta denominada Village Green. Los líderes del proyecto indicaron que 20% de las viviendas iniciales se destinarán a hogares asequibles para trabajadores. Aunque los concejales recibieron favorablemente la posibilidad de darle un nuevo uso al

terreno, cuestionaron al equipo sobre la asequibilidad de las viviendas. El concejal Ray Ranker (Distrito 3) enfatizó que el proyecto debe ofrecer opciones para inquilinos de menores ingresos. Ranker afirmó que la ciudad cuenta con una amplia oferta de viviendas dirigidas a inquilinos con ingresos entre 80% y 90% del Ingreso Medio del Área (AMI), pero carece de unidades asequibles para residentes de bajos ingresos. Los planes ini-

ciales muestran que las unidades asequibles de Aviation Landing serían para personas con ingresos iguales o inferiores a 90% del AMI. “Lo que realmente se necesita es un 60 % o menos”, dijo Ranker. “Sé que es pronto, pero nos gustaría centrarnos en que la cantidad sea del 60 % o menos”. El concejal Dan Oates (Distrito 3) expresó su entusiasmo por la remodelación del terreno, al tiempo que destacó el contexto comunitario más amplio.

“Personalmente, me entusiasma la idea de convertir algunas áreas de estacionamiento vacías en espacios más productivos para la ciudad”, mencionó. Oates instó a los desarrolladores a garantizar que el proyecto ofrezca servicios esenciales para el vecindario, como guarderías, y los animó a presionar al condado para que realice inversiones complementarias en infraestructura, METRO / 18 

¡Ayúdanos a que sigan llegando noticias en español a Hyattsville/College Park! 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.

CITY OF

COLLEGE PARK

CONEXIÓN COLLEGE PARK E PARK I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE G

Septiembre 2026

BAILAMOS

BAILAMOS

I LOVE CIT Y OF

E PARK C OL L E G

E PARK I LOVE CIT Y OF COLLE G

BAILAMOS

AMOS BAIL

Bailamos 18 de septiembre de 2026 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

DUVALL FIELD

9119 Rhode Island Ave. Más información en: collegeparkmd.gov/bailamos

Entrada gratuita

¡College Park celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con “Bailamos!” Una noche de música, baile y diversión para toda la familia en Duvall Field La ciudad de College Park celebrará el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con el evento “Bailamos!” el viernes 18 de septiembre, de 6:00 p. m. a 9:00 p. m., en el recién renovado Duvall Field (9119 Rhode Island Ave.). Se invita a los residentes a acompañarnos en una noche de música, baile, comida y actividades para toda la familia, celebrando las ricas tradiciones y las contribuciones de las comunidades hispanas y latinas. La noche contará con música en vivo de Leonardo García y Son Horizonte, un grupo del área de Washington, D. C., conocido por su mezcla de jazz latino y salsa. Su música será la banda sonora perfecta para una noche de baile y celebración. Además de la música en vivo, “Bailamos!” ofrecerá puestos de comida, expositores comunitarios, juegos inflables y manualidades para niños. Los residentes podrán disfrutar de

gastronomía auténtica, conectar con organizaciones y recursos locales, y celebrar junto a amigos, familiares y vecinos. El evento marca el inicio del Mes de la Herencia Hispana, que se conmemora anualmente del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre. Esta celebración nacional comenzó en 1968 como la Semana de la Herencia Hispana, antes de ampliarse a una celebración de un mes de duración en 1988. Hoy en día, el Mes de la Herencia Hispana reconoce la historia, los logros y las contribuciones de los hispanoamericanos, y celebra las tradiciones culturales que continúan enriqueciendo a las comunidades de todo el país. “Bailamos!” es una oportunidad para que la comunidad de College Park se reúna y celebre esa herencia aquí mismo, en casa. Reserve la fecha: viernes 18 de septiembre, de 6:00 p. m. a 9:00 p. m. en Duvall Field, y acompáñenos en una noche de música, baile, comida y orgullo comunitario.

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ANUNCIOS Y EVENTOS DE LA CIUDAD Más información: www.collegeparkmd.gov OFICINAS MUNICIPALES CERRADAS POR EL DÍA DEL TRABAJO (LABOR DAY) Lunes, 7 de septiembre de 2026 Todas las oficinas de la Ciudad de College Park estarán cerradas el lunes 7 de septiembre con motivo del Día del Trabajo. No habrá servicio de recolección de basura el lunes 7 de septiembre. Se recomienda a los residentes tener en cuenta este cierre por día festivo al planificar sus servicios habituales de recolección. Encontrará información adicional sobre los servicios municipales y los horarios de

recolección durante los días festivos en www.collegeparkmd.gov.

REUNIÓN COMUNITARIA SOBRE SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA Lunes, 14 de septiembre de 2026 | 7:00–8:00 p. m. | Formato híbrido Manténgase al tanto de las iniciativas de seguridad pública en College Park asistiendo a la próxima reunión comunitaria sobre seguridad pública el lunes 14 de septiembre. Los residentes podrán escuchar al personal municipal y a los representantes de seguridad pública, además de participar en conversaciones sobre la seguridad en la comunidad.

La reunión se llevará a cabo en el College Park Woods Club (3545 Marlbrough Way), y contará con una opción de participación virtual para quienes deseen unirse a distancia. Para conocer los detalles de la reunión e información sobre la participación virtual, visite www. collegeparkmd.gov.

CONVO CLUB Miércoles 9, 16, 23 y 30 de septiembre | 6:00–7:00 p. m. Este otoño regresa el Convo Club para estudiantes de 3.º a 5.º grado, ofreciendo un espacio donde los participantes pueden expresar sus opiniones, conocer nuevas perspectivas y ganar confianza al comunicarse.

El Departamento de Servicios para Jóvenes y Familias apoya a los jóvenes que enfrentan desafíos como el acoso escolar (bullying), el duelo, las presiones sociales, entre otros. El Convo Club brinda a los estudiantes la oportunidad de reunirse y hablar sobre los temas que les importan. Se ofrecerán refrigerios durante cada sesión. Las sesiones de septiembre se realizarán los miércoles 9, 16, 23 y 30 de septiembre, de 6:00 a 7:00 p.m. Los participantes deben ser residentes del condado de Prince George. Es necesario inscribirse antes del 1 de septiembre de 2026; el cupo es limitado. Para inscribirse o recibir más información, llame a Youth & Family Services al 240-487-3550.

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Residentes se reúnen con la policía durante National Night Out Por ANETTE PÉREZ Menos de una semana después de la ceremonia de inauguración que abrió al público el tan esperado Duvall Field, el parque fue escenario del evento anual National Night Out (Noche Nacional de Barrios Seguros) de la ciudad, el 4 de agosto, donde los residentes tuvieron la oportunidad de conocer a agentes de la policía local. “Creo que es bueno que [la policía] tenga visibilidad en entornos sin estrés para interactuar con la comunidad local”, dijo Stephen Robie, residente del vecindario Calvert Hills de College Park, “para que la comunidad pueda ver a los policías como ... ciudadanos comunes, que es lo que son cuando no están trabajando”. Robie, quien asistió por primera vez al National Night Out, comentó que el evento ofrece a los residentes la oportunidad de interactuar con los agentes policiales de College Park fuera de situaciones de emergencia. College Park ha celebrado durante varios años National Night Out, una iniciativa que comenzó a nivel nacional en 1984. Anteriormente, la ciudad dividía el evento en varias reuniones del vecindario, pero hace tres años los organizadores lo consolidaron en una sola ubicación, según Ed Daniel, gerente de Seguridad Pública y Operaciones de Emergencia de la ciudad y organizador del evento. Los organizadores nacionales estiman que más de 15.000 comunidades locales celebran eventos similares el primer martes de agosto de cada año. A lo largo de los senderos de Duvall Field se instalaron puestos informativos, y legisladores de la ciudad y del condado, (entre ellos agentes de los departamentos de policía del condado de Prince George y de la Universidad de Maryland (UMD), así como miembros de la Compañía de Bomberos Voluntarios de

El capitán Michael Weller, subcomandante de división del Departamento de Policía de la Universidad de Maryland, conversa con niños durante el evento National Night Out de la ciudad, el 4 de agosto. ANETTE PEREZ

Branchville), abrieron paso entre la multitud. Para la capitana August Kenner, del Departamento de Policía de la UMD (UMPD), el evento sirvió como una oportunidad para fortalecer las relaciones con la comunidad y fomentar interacciones positivas con los residentes. Kenner, que vive en Upper Marlboro, dijo que preguntó a los residentes: “¿Qué opinaban de la labor de la policía local?” y “¿Se sentían seguros en su comunidad?”. “Me gustaría que los residentes supieran que todos estamos aquí para velar por su seguridad”, dijo Kenner. “Cuando quieran hacernos preguntas, o si tienen algún problema o inquietud, comuníquense con nosotros,

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prendía el motivo de la resolución de la ciudad. “Para mí, que alguien cuestione su enfoque significa que no entiende claramente ni reconoce las atrocidades que afectaron a la comunidad de Lakeland”, afirmó Esters. La placa fue diseñada por la Comisión de Justicia Restaurativa de College Park y mostrará un texto extraído de la resolución, en la que se pedían disculpas “por la historia de opresión de la ciudad, particularmente en lo que respecta a la comunidad de Lakeland” y prometía

porque la policía está aquí para ustedes y eso es lo que hacemos: servir y proteger”. El cabo Errol Lobin, que ha sido agente de policía del condado de Prince George durante 21 años, afirmó que el valor del evento radica en las conversaciones entre los residentes y los cuerpos policiales. “Creo que formar parte de College Park es probablemente una de las experiencias más gratificantes que he tenido”, expresó Lobin. Durante National Night Out, añadió: “Los ciudadanos conocen a los agentes en un ambiente neutral y se pueden tener conversaciones más amenas, en lugar de ‘Oye, robaron mi auto’, y esto permite crear un mayor sentido de camaradería y demuestra a la comunidad que realmente

“buscar minuciosamente y enfrentar el racismo sistémico”. En la pared cercana a la placa se colocará un código QR enlazado con la página web de la ciudad e información sobre justicia restaurativa y la historia de la comunidad de Lakeland. La concejala Holly Simmons (Distrito 2), quien representa a Lakeland en el Concejo, explicó sus razones para apoyar la instalación de la placa. “Tengan presente que, si no recordamos, no podemos reparar”, dijo Simmons antes de la votación. “Al considerar esta medida, tengo muy presente la importancia de la historia, el lenguaje y de cumplir con la política adoptada por

nos importa”. Vanesa Medina, residente del barrio Hollywood de College Park, dijo que el evento permitió a los residentes aprender más sobre seguridad, especialmente a los niños, quienes pudieron acariciar perros de servicio, jugar baloncesto y cornhole, saltar en una casa inflable y bailar. “Diría que [más personas] deberían asistir, especialmente cuando hay [...] agentes de policía y personal de emergencias con quienes se puede conversar”, dijo Medina, señalando que el evento “también nos ayuda a aprender más sobre cómo protegernos”. El alcalde de College Park, Fazlul Kabir, aplaudió la asistencia de los residentes para demostrar su apoyo a los oficiales y elogió las renovaciones de Duvall Field.

la ciudad”. Maxine Gross, presidenta fundadora del Lakeland Community Heritage Project y miembro de la quinta generación de una familia de Lakeland, afirmó que quienes sostienen que Lakeland, una comunidad históricamente afroamericana, no sufrió las consecuencias de la renovación urbana están mal informados. “Me resulta muy difícil cuando se sacan conclusiones sin haber leído realmente el material, o cuando se lee de tal manera que la realidad de lo que está escrito es sustituida por otras preocupaciones y prejuicios de quien lo interpreta”, expresó Gross. “Miren la realidad. Lean los

“Este National Night Out [...] se trata de la colaboración entre los cuerpos policiales y la comunidad”, dijo Kabir. “Se trata de [...] unir a la comunidad y la policía para que podamos combatir juntos la delincuencia”. El teniente Joseph Lilly, de UMPD, recordó haber asistido a eventos similares cuando era niño, lo que le inspiró a convertirse en policía. También habló sobre los beneficios que reciben los agentes al asistir al National Night Out. “Si las personas no confían en el departamento de policía que les corresponde ni lo apoyan, nuestro trabajo se vuelve extremadamente difícil, mucho menos efectivo, y siempre tendremos personas cuestionándonos”, expresó Lilly.

informes. No se guíen por lo que alguien dice. Léanlo ustedes mismos”. Desde el estrado, el alcalde Fazlul Kabir le dijo a Biffl: “Tiene derecho a expresar sus opiniones, pero, respetuosamente, no estamos de acuerdo”. Kabir añadió: “Lakeland, tal y como era entonces, era muy inspirador y, en cierto modo, un modelo de lo que queremos para Lakeland y, en términos más amplios, para College Park en la actualidad. Esta placa es el siguiente paso en esa dirección”. La placa medirá aproximadamente 30 pulgadas de ancho por 40 de alto y tendrá un costo de $3,306, según documentos de la ciudad.

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Parkdale High School crea una organización de padres, maestros y estudiantes tras años de esfuerzos Por CAIT HEIDERMAN Después de varios intentos fallidos, Parkdale High School contará este año escolar con una Organización de PadresMaestros-Estudiantes (PTSO) gracias a los esfuerzos de un grupo de padres. Parkdale, ubicada en East Riverdale, no cuenta con una organización formal de padres desde que el grupo anterior, liderado por el pastor Michael S. Dickson II, cesó sus actividades en 2020. “Ha sido un proceso largo”, dijo Nicola Netto-White, madre de una estudiante de Parkdale, quien cursa el segundo año de secundaria. La iniciativa cobró verdadero impulso el año pasado, al reunir a una junta provisional de padres que colaboró junto con la administración escolar para crear un comité directivo y adoptar un reglamento interno, el cual fue aprobado mediante votación en junio. Netto-White, junto con Jenni Pompi, concejala de Greenbelt y madre de un estudiante de último año en Parkdale, son dos de los cuatro padres que integran la junta provisional. “Creo que es muy importante contar con una mayor participación de los padres, especialmente en una escuela como Parkdale, donde las tasas de graduación y los resultados de las pruebas son algo más bajos”, dijo Pompi. “Estas familias se preocupan profundamente por la educación, y la PTSO es una manera de ayudar a esos padres a conectar más con la educación de sus hijos y con lo que ocurre en la escuela”. Según se informa, la direc-

Padres de estudiantes de Parkdale High School han creado una Organización de Padres, Maestros y Estudiantes. Más de 200 estudiantes de College Park asisten a la escuela. JONATHAN PETER BELLING

tora de Parkdale, Tasha Graves, no estaba a favor de la PTSO. Una vez que intervino Shawn Joseph, superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George (PGCPS), Graves comenzó a cooperar con los padres, según Pompi. “Sé que, tan pronto como el Dr. Joseph y su equipo dejaron claro que querían apoyar esta iniciativa, [Graves] sí se sumó”, dijo Pompi. “Cuando la comunidad de padres votó a favor de una organización independiente, ella lo aceptó”. Graves rechazó una solicitud de entrevista para este artículo. La PTSO está formalmente constituida en Maryland y se encuentra en proceso de obtener el estatus de organización sin ánimo de lucro 501(c)(3), según Pompi. El grupo también real-

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incluidas reparaciones al puente que cruza el afluente del río Anacostia. Los concejales también opinaron sobre el acceso peatonal y el diseño de las calles. La concejala Holly Simmons (Distrito 2) pidió que se incluyan aceras amplias, árboles en las calles y paisajismo urbano, en lugar de senderos estrechos y franjas de vegetación de estilo suburbano, para garantizar que las personas se sientan cómodas al caminar por la zona. El concejal Jacob Hernandez (Distrito 1) instó a los desarrolladores a tener en cuenta un vecino particular del proyecto: el aeropuerto de College Park.

izará elecciones en septiembre para establecer una junta directiva permanente para el año escolar. La PTSO se reunirá personalmente el tercer martes de cada mes en la escuela, a la que asisten 257 estudiantes de College Park, según PGCPS. Pompi señaló que el grupo está considerando la posibilidad de permitir que padres y maestros asistan a reuniones tanto presenciales como virtuales. Las reuniones presenciales contarán con un intérprete de español proporcionado por PGCPS, teniendo en cuenta la numerosa población hispanohablante de Parkdale. “Es importante que tengamos una junta que sea diversa y refleje la población escolar”, manifestó Pompi. “Siempre

“Estás eligiendo construir justo al lado de un aeropuerto en funcionamiento”, señaló Hernandez, quien preguntó qué medidas se tomarán para reducir el ruido antes de que los residentes se muden al lugar. Los desarrolladores respondieron que ya se están realizando estudios sobre el ruido y el tráfico. Greg Reeves, CEO de Mosaic Development Partners, explicó que abordar las condiciones ambientales ha sido una prioridad desde 2023, ya que el terreno está ubicado completamente sobre una superficie impermeable dentro de una zona inundable y requiere la reubicación de una tubería de aguas pluviales de gran tamaño. “Hemos estado trabajando en este proyecto, y la mayor parte del tiempo ha

será importante contar con alguien que sea hablante nativo de español porque hay muchas familias hispanohablantes en Parkdale”. El concejal Jacob Hernandez (Distrito 1) se involucró en la iniciativa a finales del año pasado. “[Los padres] estaban teniendo dificultades para comunicarse con algunos funcionarios de la administración y, en general, intentaban superar algunos de los desafíos que implica reactivar una organización como esta”, dijo Hernandez. Hernandez señaló que trabajar con las familias de Parkdale ha sido una prioridad para él. “Es muy importante que los funcionarios locales se involucren y establezcan una relación con las escuelas públicas”, afirmó.

sido en torno a los problemas de gestión de aguas pluviales y terreno inundable”, dijo Reeves al Concejo Municipal. “En realidad, es un problema multimillonario. Lo que sucede es que la mayor parte del agua que llega a ese sitio no proviene del propio terreno, sino de otras fuentes”. En respuesta a una pregunta de la concejala Denise Mitchell (Distrito 4) sobre adaptaciones para residentes con discapacidad, Jones dijo que el edificio de apartamentos tendrá que elevarse aproximadamente cinco pies para cumplir con los requisitos de la zona inundable y que el equipo aún está trabajando en cómo hacer que el edificio sea totalmente accesible, considerando ese cambio de elevación. Reeves también abordó preguntas so-

Para Netto-White y Pompi, trabajar con la administración escolar de Parkdale representó inicialmente un obstáculo para reactivar el grupo. “Creo que la escuela tenía ideas diferentes sobre lo que quería de una organización de padres, por lo que ha tomado tiempo lograr que todos apoyen la creación de una PTSO”, dijo Netto-White. Los maestros, y en particular los entrenadores, están entusiasmados con una mayor participación de los padres en las actividades deportivas y escolares, señaló Hernandez. “Los maestros y entrenadores se quedaban mucho después de terminar su jornada laboral simplemente para participar y formar parte de las conversaciones iniciales sobre lo que sería la PTSO”, dijo. Los estudiantes también participaron en la reactivación del grupo, incluidos dos que trabajaron en el comité directivo el año pasado. “Para la mayoría de estos jóvenes, no ha habido una PTSO en la escuela durante todo el tiempo que han estudiado allí”, dijo Pompi. Entre las iniciativas de recaudación de fondos de la PTSO se incluyen una campaña de recolección de abrigos y la recaudación de dinero para artículos con los colores y el emblema de la escuela destinados a los equipos deportivos, señaló NettoWhite. “Realmente queremos crear un ambiente acogedor e inclusivo para que todas las familias de nuestra escuela se reúnan con el objetivo común de lograr que Parkdale brille con luz propia”, afirmó Pompi. Los padres, maestros y estudiantes pueden esperar actualizaciones oficiales de la PTSO de Parkdale en las próximas semanas y pueden comunicarse con el grupo a través de parkdalehsparents@gmail.com.

bre los futuros residentes del proyecto, aclarando que las viviendas están dirigidas a familias trabajadoras y empleados locales, no a estudiantes. “Está realmente dirigido a familias y personas trabajadoras que están en el Quantum District, que quieren trabajar allí y que actualmente no tienen un lugar donde vivir”, dijo Reeves. “No es para estudiantes. Ese no es el objetivo de este desarrollo”. La construcción de la primera fase podría comenzar en el tercer trimestre del próximo año, dependiendo de las aprobaciones regulatorias. Los residentes de College Park tendrán la oportunidad de revisar los planes y ofrecer sus comentarios el 27 de agosto durante una reunión comunitaria en el Concejo Municipal, de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m.