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$50M Laurel Hospital expansion, 230 townhomes approved by P.G. Planning Board

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Prince George’s County Planning Board approved several notable development applications during its May 14, 2020, meeting. Among the approvals include detailed site plans for two townhome projects, one in Bowie, one in Brandywine, with a total of 231 units, preliminary plans for another townhome development in Clinton, and preliminary plans for a 950-bed mixed-use student-housing complex in College Park. But the biggest approval from the meeting was a detailed site plan clearing the way for the first phase of a new “health campus” at the University of Maryland Medical System Laurel Hospital. A rendering shows the exterior of the first phase of the planned Laurel Hospital Health Campus. The new hospital facility plans call for a two-story 79,900 square-foot medical office building and a 1,550 square-foot MRI building near the intersection of Van Deusen and Contee Roads.

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P.G. Planning Board approves Glenarden apartments, Capitol Heights WaWa, Westphalia warehouse

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The Prince George’s County Planning Board gave its blessing to three notable detailed development plans at its May 7, 2020, meeting, including 260 apartments at Woodmore Commons in Glenarden, a 362,880 square-foot electrical products supplier warehouse and office in Westphalia, and yet another WaWa, this one in Capitol Heights. Also, the Planning Board approved preliminary plans for a Purple-Line adjascent mixed-use project in East Riverdale. More details, below:

260 apartments approved for Woodmore Commons

A rendering shows designs for the proposed Woodmore Commons apartments near the Woodmore Town Center. The Prince George’s County Planning Board unanimously approved final detailed plans for a 258-unit apartment complex near the Woodmore Towne Center in Glenarden. The vote took place at the Planning Board’s May 7, 2020 meeting. 

The project, from Balk Hill Ventures LLC in Davidsonville, includes 307,976 square feet of gross floor area on 9.3 acres of land at the intersection of Saint Josephs Drive and Ruby Lockhart Blvd.

Coronavirus

Prince George’s Council calls for release of immigration detainees

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Prince George’s County Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the suspension of civil immigration enforcement or for Immigration Customs Enforcement to provide “appropriate health services and facilities” to immigration detainees during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The measure was sponsored by District Two County Councilor Deni Taveras. “We have made it a misdemeanor in the state of Maryland to not comply with social distancing, yet we are keeping at least 29 of Prince George’s County residents, from complying,” said Councilor Taveras. “We must consider the health and safety of all Prince Georgians, including those who are in immigration detention.”

At least 29 Prince George’s County residents are in immigration detention. Their ages range from 19 to 62 years old, and have lived in the United States for an average of 16 years. According to County officials, at least nine of the residents detained have pre-existing medical conditions that could make them more susceptible to the novel coronavirus.

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Reminder: Prince George’s retail, transit mask mandate begins April 15

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Starting April 15, 2020, Prince Georgians will be required to wear masks while shopping inside grocery stores, pharmacies and while riding TheBus.  It’s part of an executive order issued by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks April 13, 2020, to try and slow the rapidly-spreading new coronavirus in Prince George’s County. The order also requires grocery stores, pharmacies and large retailers to promote social distancing inside and outside of the stores while customers wait. “We know there are people with the virus who are walking around and showing no symptoms, and these actions will prevent them from spreading it to others,” said Alsobrooks, announcing the executive order. Since early March, the TheBus system has been running on reduced service. Staff have been sanitizing handrails, seats and other high-touch areas on buses as part of the daily cleaning process.

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Chillum fire now homicide scene; Two die in Seat Pleasant fire

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Update; April 15, 2020: Police say they are investigating the Highview Terrace fire as an arson. Police believe the victim, 23-year-old Washington, D.C., resident Zena Nichols was fatally shot by 42-year-old Jerome Harris, who lived at Highview Terrace. Police believe Harris set the fire after killing Nichols. Harris is at large, and has been charged with first-degree murder. Original Story

Two fires in Prince George’s County claimed three lives over the weekend.

Coronavirus

Iannucci: Demand for P.G. Business Relief Fund “will exceed the dollars we have”

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The $15 million Prince George’s County Business Relief Fund will quickly run out of money, according the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corp. CEO David Iannucci. Applications for the fund are scheduled to be released April 13, 2020. Successful applicants could get up to $100,000 in loans (at a 3.75 percent interest rate) to help cover payroll and other costs. “We’re all gearing up for this massive onslaught of demand that will exceed the dollars we have,” said Iannucci.