Route 1 Reporter (https://route1reporter.com/page/2/)
Prince George’s County’s population grew by nearly 3 percent over the past five years, according to a trove of new data released this week from the U.S. Census Bureau. The data also shows the county has a growing Hispanic population and a quickly-shrinking population of white residents, too.
14 days after the close of the Thanksgiving holiday break, and Covid-19 continues to spread in Maryland. The hardest-hit counties right now are in Western Maryland, which has seen dramatic spikes in confirmed cases over the past month and have resulted in, by far, the most widespread outbreaks seen among Maryland counties since the start of the pandemic.
Hyattsville apartment owners could soon get money from the city for making major repairs to their buildings. But the program needs to be approved by Hyattsville City Council. The proposal, called the Multi-Family Improvement Rebate Program, would reimburse property owners for half the cost of upgrades that either increase energy efficiency, remediate environmental toxins, improve air quality and circulator, or increase the realiability of heating and cooling systems. In other words, for every $2 the landlord spends on eligible projects, the city would reimburse $1. However, the total reimbursement would be capped at $50,000 per property.
The proposal was first discussed by Hyattsville City Council at its Dec. 7, 2020, meeting.
Concerns about polluted creeks, increased car traffic, and loss of wildlife habitat dominated a public hearing on a Treasury Department proposal to build a 1 million square-foot cash factory on the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
Mount Rainier’s budget was boosted by $487,000 found unaccounted for in the city’s bank accounts. For a city with an annual budget of about $7 million, it’s good news in an era when other local governments are bracing for steep declines in tax revenue as a result of the pandemic. Now, city officials are weighing a bill that would use the money for staff pay hikes, facility repairs, and economic development programs.
The next step on the multi-phase redevelopment plans for Beltway Plaza is underway. Bethesda-based mall owner Quantum Cos. is gathering feedback on a still-in-the-works detailed site plan for first phase of the planned six-phase redevelopment. Most-recently, representatives from Quantum Cos. shopped their plans before Greenbelt’s City Council during a Nov. 16, 2020, meeting, and again at a Greenbelt Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on Nov. 18, 2020.
The Prince George’s Plaza Metro Station will be renamed to Hyattsville Crossing, and many people hate the new name.
Less than two years after being sworn in, Hyattsville’s Police Chief Amal Awad announced she will resign in December to be the chief of police in Anne Arundel County.
“Leaving Hyattsville is bittersweet,” said Awad during a press conference announcing her appointment to the Anne Arundel County chief’s job. “I’m fervently thankful to the city of Hyattsville for allowing me to serve as their chief of police.”
“Chief Awad has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, depth of knowledge, professionalism, and grace in her service to the City of Hyattsville over the past three years,” said Mayor Candace Hollingsworth, who also recently announced her own resignation, in a statement. “I was only able to work with her for a short time, but she deserves a lot of credit for the direction of the department and I am excited for her and for the opportunities that are coming her way,” said Hyattsville City Councilor Daniel Peabody. “I will very much miss working with her in the city of Hyattsville.”
“During her time as Hyattsville chief, Awad modernized her department, won the respect of her officers and her community and worked through the challenges faced by police departments across the country,” Said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “She is a peacemaker and a consummate professional.”
Awad was sworn in as Hyattsville’s police chief Dec.
College Park City Manager Scott Somers will resign effective Dec. 23, 2020, city officials announced Friday. The move ends Somers’ more-than five-years leading College Park’s city staff.
The number of recently-confirmed coronavirus infections has steadily and sharply grown at rates not seen since the virus first took root in Maryland this Spring.