Developer V. WMATA Lawsuit Reveals Possible FBI Relocation Council
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GREENBELT News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 73, No. 23 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 APRIL 29, 2010 Townsfolk Gather in Force Developer v. WMATA Lawsuit To Converse with Kojo Reveals Possible FBI Relocation by Sandra A. Lange by Mary Willis Clarke A packed auditorium greeted ics prevailed: What do you like WAMU radio personality Kojo most about/or what brought you A March 15 submission in the Under the Development Agree- WMATA and Metroland required Nnamdi for his two-hour show, to Greenbelt and what problems lawsuit Greenbelt Ventures, LLC ment, Metroland was to construct WMATA approval of any change “Kojo in Your Community.” The do you see in Greenbelt and/or v. Washington Metropolitan Area the “billion dollar” North Core in the composition of the devel- program was taped on Tuesday, Prince George’s County? Transit Authority (WMATA) mixed-use project. The proj- oper. April 20 at the Greenbelt Com- The first hour turned into a in the federal district court in ect was to consist of residential Greenbelt Ventures partici- munity Center between 7 and 9 love fest. One person moved to Greenbelt suggests that WMATA units (270), retail space (800,000 pated in development activities p.m. The event was broadcast Greenbelt because it reminded has met with the Federal Bureau square feet), office buildings including site plan approvals, on April 21 and 22, in one-hour him of Berkeley, Calif. Another of Investigation about using the (1,000,000 square feet) and a zoning changes and special tax- segments, for Nnamdi’s regular read about Greenbelt in Mother land adjacent to the Greenbelt hotel/conference center (195,000 ing agreements to fund infra- noon program. Jones magazine. Many described Metro Station for a possible FBI square feet) on the WMATA structure improvements and the The audience of over 200 Greenbelt as a livable community relocation, a major change from parcel. WMATA parking garage con- people greeted Nnamdi warmly. where you can easily walk to already approved concept plans. In addition, Metroland was struction. WMATA staff nego- Wearing a cream-colored suit and the library and the grocery store, The same court filing indicates required to construct an enclosed tiated with Greenbelt Ventures matching silk turtleneck shirt, he where there are hiking trails and that Greenbelt Metroland, LLC parking structure to replace about development issues and joked with the crowd about the protected woodlands. (Limited Liability Company), WMATA’s existing parking lots the terms under which WMATA technicalities of producing the City Councilmember Konrad prospective developer of the site, and bus bays. After the accom- would approve the substitution show “live,” saying “You will Herling voiced the view that was also involved in the FBI plishment of certain development of Greenbelt Ventures for the see how sausage is made.” Greenbelt is an example to many discussions and has terminated requirements, including zoning original members of the develop- His easy-going manner be- other municipalities for its envi- its relationship with Walter Petrie change and infrastructure im- ment team. lied a well-thought out format. ronmentally friendly and sustain- and Petrie Ross Ventures, par- provements, WMATA would sell The WMATA board of direc- Throughout the evening vari- able qualities. Others lauded ties long considered part of the the land to Metroland for $6.4 tors, however, never approved ous staff members handed him Greenbelt’s focus on the arts, Greenbelt Station North Core million. the change in composition of the post-its on which were written development project. In 2006 Metroland entered developer. Although approval questions. Two general top- See KOJO SHOW, page 6 Background into a Purchase Agreement with of the substitution appeared on In 1996 WMATA sought pro- Greenbelt Ventures LLC under the WMATA board agenda in posals for developing 78 acres which the latter would acquire 2008, this item was removed adjacent to the Greenbelt Metro ownership of Metroland and its from the agenda after news re- Council Holds Worksession station as a transit oriented de- right to purchase the North Core ports that search warrants and velopment. Metroland, which land, at a price of $40 million. subpoenas had been served on On Public Safety Issues controlled the 86-acre tract south Greenbelt Ventures includes Prince George’s County govern- of the WMATA parcel (identi- Walter Petrie and his Petrie Ross ment offices seeking information by Thomas X. White fied in later plans as the South development company and is about county council actions Core of the Greenbelt Station backed by Prudential Insurance concerning Greenbelt Station and All seven members of the is administered by the Planning development), was chosen as the Company financing. The Pur- contacts with the original Metro- Greenbelt City Council, the city and Community Development De- developer and entered into a Joint chase Agreement required the land principals. manager and most of the com- partment and, likewise, the Traf- Development Agreement with approval of WMATA since the mand staff of the Greenbelt Po- fic Control portion of the Public WMATA in 2000. Development Agreement between See WMATA, page 12 lice Department were on hand Safety budget is administered by for the April 21 worksession to the Public Works Department. review the city manager’s pro- Fire Department posed Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) In the Fire and Rescue budget Council Okays Lighting for All 8 budget for Public Safety. Also for FY11, City Manager Michael attending the meeting, represent- McLaughlin proposes that the city ing Greenbelt Volunteer Fire De- forego the annual $5,000 contri- Tennis Courts at Braden Field partment and Rescue Squad Inc. butions to the Berwyn Heights (GVFD&RS), was Brian Rudy, and West Lanham Hills volunteer by Barbara Hopkins standing in for the chief and the units for the coming year. Con- president of GVFD&RS, who tribution of $5,000 each to those The Greenbelt City Council four courts would be $231,131. were not able to attend. neighbors will notice improved neighboring departments was chambers erupted in cheers and The recommended bid was not In addition to the Police De- controls on glare and light spill. initiated in FY2009 in recognition applause Monday night, April the lowest, being some $22,000 partment operations, the city’s The system to be used meets the of the service those volunteer 26, when council unanimously over the lowest bid, said McNeal, public safety budget also includes requirements of the International units had provided to Greenbelt approved new lights for all eight but several lower bids would use the annual city contribution to the Dark Sky Association. residents. This year, however, tennis courts along with resur- lighting systems actually designed GVFD&RS and contributions to There are estimates that ener- he recommends that no contribu- facing half the courts at Braden for parking lots. They have no other volunteer fire departments gy costs for lights on courts five tions be made for FY11 as a cost Field. At least 15 members and track record for sports venues, that have Greenbelt within their through eight would be cut in saving. supporters of the Greenbelt Ten- he said. The manufacturer could call areas. half, although McNeal said due Also the GVFD&RS will have nis Association (GTA) turned not recommend the system for The Animal Control portion of to meter sharing with other light their annual contribution reduced out to urge council to expand lighting tennis courts and could the budget, also included in the systems, he is not able to provide the renovation to include lighting not provide any examples of the budget section for Public Safety, See SAFETY, page 7 an actual figure on the savings. at all the courts. They greeted system in use for outdoor tennis The current lights are about 35 council’s action with exuberance. lighting in the United States. years old and replacement parts What Goes On Other items approved by council City Solicitor Robert Manzi are not available. Saturday, May 1 at that meeting were a contract told council it is not required to Projected higher prices for fu- for street resurfacing and ACE take the lowest bid if that bid 8:30 a.m. to noon, Greenbelt Lake Cleanup, Buddy Attick Park ture replacements was presented grants to educators. does not meet the needs of the as another reason to expand the Sunday, May 2 Not Lowest Bid project. budgeted project to include all 1 to 4:30 p.m., Artful Afternoon, with Greenbelt Schools Music Joe McNeal of the city’s Rec- Bishop’s Tennis, Inc. will use lights. Festival, Community Center reation Department explained the Tennis Optics Advantage A member of the GTA told Monday, May 3 the staff’s recommendations to Series lighting system, which has council they estimate the courts 7:30 p.m., Council Budget Worksession on Contribution Groups, accept a bid from Bishop’s Ten- received high marks from opera- receive from 3,000 to 5,000 vis- Municipal Building nis Inc. to resurface courts one tors and users. its a year. GTA president Ellen Tuesday, May 4 through four and replace lights Project Expanded Jent Carter computed the cost 7 p.m., Board of Education Community Meeting, ERHS on all eight courts for $366,848. Tennis courts one through per year for the project at about Wednesday, May 5 The amount is $34,000 over the four have not been surfaced in $10,500, commensurate with city 7:30 p.m., Advisory Planning Board Meeting, Community Cen- budgeted amount, but the city 15 years and are in bad condi- spending on other athletic fields. would only be responsible for 25 tion, McNeal said.