University plan may have limited impact in city
Brady Holt
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: News
City officials say the university's recently released 10-year strategic plan is roughly in line with their own vision for revamping the Route 1 corridor and downtown College Park.
The plan envisions boosting the available student housing in the city and turning Route 1 into "a pedestrian-welcoming, retail-active boulevard that supports the desired 'Main Street' function."
But in interviews since the plan's release this month, city officials say the plan's impact will be limited because the city is already on track to implement the major elements and because the university hasn't earmarked any money to get it done. Most said any changes to the plan the College Park City Council votes to recommend will be minor.
"As long as they're doing something that's positive," said Bob Catlin, a councilman for College Park's District 2. "It's helpful to have this to point to. But a lot of this stuff is things that they're already doing and we're already doing."
The council's consideration is a part of a broader effort by the university to gather input on the strategic plan, which it releases every 10 years as a guide for the coming decade.
The city of College Park - which has its own four-page section of the plan titled "The Surrounding Community" - is set to see a series of improvements to its appearance, particularly along Route 1 from downtown to University Boulevard.
According to the plan, it seeks to "transform U.S. Route 1 into a great street and welcoming gateway."
University officials said the City of College Park is significant to the university not only because so many of its students live there, but also because it is the first impression of the campus.
One university official has said that occasionally, potential faculty have been brought to the campus via Paint Branch Parkway rather than directly from Route 1, to avoid passing the drive-thru liquor stores.
But although the strategic plan names many initiatives it intends to support off of the campus, it does not earmark university money to accomplish it. Rather, it states an intention to "support" or "vigorously support" various items, through lobbying government officials or reaching out to private investors.
College Park City Manager Joe Nagro said he is largely supportive of the document, but suspects the city will ask for a few changes to be made to the draft before it is finalized.
"I think a lot of the stuff in there is very good," Nagro said. "Some needs to be expanded a little bit more, some needs to be defined better."
holtdbk@gmail.com
The plan envisions boosting the available student housing in the city and turning Route 1 into "a pedestrian-welcoming, retail-active boulevard that supports the desired 'Main Street' function."
But in interviews since the plan's release this month, city officials say the plan's impact will be limited because the city is already on track to implement the major elements and because the university hasn't earmarked any money to get it done. Most said any changes to the plan the College Park City Council votes to recommend will be minor.
"As long as they're doing something that's positive," said Bob Catlin, a councilman for College Park's District 2. "It's helpful to have this to point to. But a lot of this stuff is things that they're already doing and we're already doing."
The council's consideration is a part of a broader effort by the university to gather input on the strategic plan, which it releases every 10 years as a guide for the coming decade.
The city of College Park - which has its own four-page section of the plan titled "The Surrounding Community" - is set to see a series of improvements to its appearance, particularly along Route 1 from downtown to University Boulevard.
According to the plan, it seeks to "transform U.S. Route 1 into a great street and welcoming gateway."
University officials said the City of College Park is significant to the university not only because so many of its students live there, but also because it is the first impression of the campus.
One university official has said that occasionally, potential faculty have been brought to the campus via Paint Branch Parkway rather than directly from Route 1, to avoid passing the drive-thru liquor stores.
But although the strategic plan names many initiatives it intends to support off of the campus, it does not earmark university money to accomplish it. Rather, it states an intention to "support" or "vigorously support" various items, through lobbying government officials or reaching out to private investors.
College Park City Manager Joe Nagro said he is largely supportive of the document, but suspects the city will ask for a few changes to be made to the draft before it is finalized.
"I think a lot of the stuff in there is very good," Nagro said. "Some needs to be expanded a little bit more, some needs to be defined better."
holtdbk@gmail.com
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University administrators = morons
posted 3/25/08 @ 5:12 PM EST
Quoted: "One university official has said that occasionally, potential faculty have been brought to the campus via Paint Branch Parkway rather than directly from Route 1, to avoid passing the drive-thru liquor stores. (Continued…)
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