Fort Washington Residents Protest A Environmental Crisis that is looking to Come Infiltrate its community/ Local News and Community Meetings
Fort Washington Residents Protest A Environmental Crisis that is looking to Come Infiltrate its community/ Local News and Community Meetings
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Fort Washington
David Owens, founder of Fort Washington Forward, issued a letter to the Context Newsletter concerning the warehouse residents have and are protesting in South County.
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Fort Washington Forward vehemently opposes the application to build a logistics warehouse at 9405 Livingston Road for the following reasons.
First, the county zoning ordinance mandates industrial zones be set apart from “high-traffic-generating commercial and residential zones.” The zone in question is not set apart. Rather, it borders two commercial zones—and shares Livingston Road (the only thoroughfare in the entire Henson Creek Transit Village) with more than 20 commercial zones, the Shoppes at Livingston Square, and an approved 80-unit townhouse project. Livingston Road is unsuitable, simultaneously, to handle commuter, commercial, residential, and 18-wheeler trucks.
Second, the development proposal contradicts the Henson Creek South Potomac Master Plan, which calls for the following along Livingston Road: (1) A pedestrian-oriented main street setting, (2) A connected pathway to Henson Creek Trail, (3) On-street parking, (4) Traffic calming, and (5) A modern healthcare facility in the transit village. Approving a proposal to bring 18-wheelers and large trucks along Livingston Road, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week cancels the County's long-term vision for future development.
The county is also risking significant legal liability. Livingston Road has already been identified as dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. In 2021, the Henson Creek Village Area Study stated: Opportunities for pedestrians are limited in this area. There are no designated spaces in the street for cyclists. Livingston Road’s sidewalks are of minimum width and in poor condition, buffers between the roadway and sidewalks are intermittent, and there are significant barriers to walking, biking, micromobility, and transit. Allowing large and 18-wheeler trucks into this environment is a reckless decision.
Last March, this planning board and the county council amended the Master Plan, and rezoned parts of the Livingston Road area to accommodate the future building of healthcare facilities, and catalyze commercial development along Cady Drive and Livingston Road. Approving this application, however, nullifies your actions from last year, and begs the question of why even take the time to create the master plan if we aren’t going to use them in community development.
Fort Washington Forward recommends:
(1) The planning board denied application 4-23008 because it endangers pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers and is a detriment to commercial business operations. We surveyed 500 residents— and 91% oppose this careless and reckless proposal. We also encourage the applicant to consider building a biomedical campus, similar to the one it built in 2023. That campus brought together hospitals, research, and academia. That kind of proposal would benefit all stakeholders, and support the county’s master plan.
(2) The planning board and county council should continue rezoning the Henson Creek Transit Village. This will ensure both the short-term and long-term goals of community development are met in Fort Washington.
(3) If this application is approved, the Planning Board and County Council should amend the current Master Plan, and explain their reasoning to residents through public forums.
Local News
Former Prince George’s County Council member pleads guilty to stealing campaign funds
Excerpt: Former Prince George’s County Council member Jamel “Mel” Franklin pleaded guilty to felony theft Monday after authorities discovered more than $124,000 of discrepancies in his campaign finance accounts.
Between 2010 and 2023, Franklin was in sole control of several bank and PayPal accounts linked to his public service career, acting also as the treasurer of the Friends of Mel Franklin political committee, a violation of Maryland election law.
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Prince George’s County Employment Fairness Act 2024: Key Updates For Employers
Excerpt: In 2015, Prince George’s County introduced a “Ban the Box” law, CB-078-2014, designed to provide returning citizens a fair chance at employment by limiting when and how employers could inquire into an applicant’s criminal history. The law was groundbreaking at the time, ensuring that individuals with criminal records were not unfairly excluded from job opportunities. Fast forward to 2024, and the county has revised and expanded these protections through the newly enacted Employment Fairness Act for Returning Citizens, CB-019-2024.
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Excerpt: JLL announced today that Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) has achieved financial close with Progressive Education Partners for the $800 million Blueprint Schools Phase II Project. JLL is the lead consultant and financial advisor for this innovative public-private partnership (P3).
Progressive Education Partners consists of Equity Members, Plenary Americas US Holdings Inc. and Ellis Don Capital Inc.; MBE Equity Member, Phoenix Infrastructure Group Investments LLC; Lead Contractor, MCN Build Inc.; and Lead Service Providers, US Facilities Inc., Ellis Don Facilities Services and RSC Electrical & Mechanical.
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Southern Prince George’s Co. residents asked to conserve water during emergency repairs
Excerpt: Lyn Riggins, with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, told WTOP the affected communities include Clinton, Rosaryville, Marlton, Brandywine, Accokeek and portions of Fort Washington.
“We will be doing some emergency work starting late Wednesday night into Thursday,” Riggins said.
The work will take a 36-inch main out of service, and in order to maintain enough water pressure for public safety, such as the fire service, Riggins said about 40,000 households are being asked to only use water for essentials, beginning Wednesday night.
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D.C., Maryland Attorneys General File Civil Suit Against D.C.-Area Gun Stores
Excerpt: D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb recently joined Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Erich Tirschwell of Everytown Law to announce a civil suit aimed at three D.C.-area gun stores that are accused of facilitating the illegal sale of handguns.
For Ryane B. Nickens, this multijurisdictional lawsuit, in part, represents the fulfillment of a vision that she articulated to Schwalb when he was a candidate for the office he currently holds.
“We talked about solutions to curb gun violence, then I said ‘When are we going to go after the gun manufacturers and gun stores,’” Nickens, the founder and president of The TraRon Center, said at the George Gordon Meade Memorial Statue on Constitution Avenue in Northwest as she recounted her engagement with Schwalb in 2022.
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Council Member Mel Franklin Found Guilty; Campaigning Begins for District Five Seat
Excerpt: Former Prince George’s County Councilmember Mel Franklin pled guilty on Aug. 26 to two charges for using over $130,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, 10 days after Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D-District 5) was officially declared the Democratic nominee for the seat he previously held.
Franklin was said to use the funds for international vacations and cosmetic surgery, along with falsifying campaign finance records.
Franklin now owes $133,000 in restitution to his campaign fund, which will be donated to charity, and he agreed to a sentence of one year in prison. He will be officially sentenced on Nov. 13.
Community Meetings
Maryland GOTV Rally with Black Voters Matter: Turn Out the Vote!
Day: September 12
Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Iverson Mall Merchants Association 3737 Branch Ave Suite #203 Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748
Info: Join Life After Release, Expand the Ballot, and Black Voters Matter for an electrifying GOTV (Get Out The Vote) Rally as part of the “We Fight Back” campaign! We’re kicking off our Maryland tour with two major events to energize and empower our communities ahead of the 2024 General Election.
These events are more than just rallies—they’re a call to action! We’re rallying Black voters across Maryland to fight against voter suppression, engage in the electoral process, and uplift the issues impacting Black communities.
Why Attend?
Every vote is a powerful tool for change, and your participation makes a difference. Come out, bring a friend, and be part of the movement to ensure every vote is counted!
Next Steps: • Register now to secure your spot. • Spread the word and invite others to join!
Let’s turn out the vote and make 2024 a year of change and empowerment for our communities!
Register Today – Your Vote Matters!
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Fort Washington Family Bike Ride
Date: September 7, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Fort Washington Park 13551 Fort Washington Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Bring the family to Fort Washington Park for a bike ride from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 7! Silver Diner will provide food, and rangers will hold a park tour following the ride.
Register using the following link: police.mypgc.us/D7Bikes
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Pet Parenting Class
Date: September 7, 2024
Times: 12:00 p.m.
Learn what it takes to be a responsible pet owner and a great family host to a four-legged friend for a lifetime. Time, cost, food, toys, medical, safety, social - all topics will be covered during this one-hour presentation with question and answer (Q & A) to follow.
Classes will meet the first Saturday of each month at 12 p.m. throughout 2024!
Call 301-780-7200, option 6, to register for this FREE class. Walk-ins welcomed.
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Police Accountability Board Meeting
Date: September 11, 2024
Times: 6:30 p.m.
The Police Accountability Board is comprised of eleven county residents appointed by the County Executive and County Council.
Public Comments: You must register at pgpab@co,pg.md.us by the Tuesday before a regular scheduled meeting to make public comments.