SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 Opposition to ICC Construction State Transportation Cuts Continues, Gains Momentum Could Affect Greenbelt by Barbara Hopkins by Thomas X
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GREENBELT News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 71, No. 45 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 Opposition to ICC Construction State Transportation Cuts Continues, Gains Momentum Could Affect Greenbelt by Barbara Hopkins by Thomas X. White Scheduled road improvements and a number of other county Controversy about the Inter- for the halt are the Maryland Chap- stop-gap bill that provides an emer- and transit projects in or near lawmakers called on the governor county Connector (ICC) between ter of the Sierra Club, Community gency injection of $8 billion from Greenbelt were shelved recent- to halt funding for the ICC. the I-270 corridor in Montgomery Research, the Audubon Naturalist the general fund to keep the trust ly when the State of Maryland She said, “Some of us were County and the I-95 corridor in Society and the Coalition for Smart fund solvent.) Transportation Authority acted to skeptical and now our worst fear northern Prince George’s County Growth. Separately, a group of A press release from the Sierra reduce the state’s transportation – State Highway’s admission continues apace. Last year, the Prince George’s County elected Club and other organizations said budget by $1.1 billion over six that the ICC will eat up all of Maryland Department of Transpor- officials has requested a formal that the deep cuts in funding “came years. Dedicated transportation our transportation funding – has tation (MDOT), after beating back meeting with the governor to dis- sharply on the heels of reports funds have declined in the state proven true.” The local lawmak- opposition, awarded contracts to cuss cutbacks for their long-sought that the construction contract for from reductions in gas tax rev- ers agreed that canceling funding begin construction of the highway projects and to convey their resolve a seven-mile segment of the ICC enues and car sales titling taxes. for the ICC is the only fiscally in several phases. that the ICC should not be funded costs $100-$150 million more than Cuts to projects in Prince responsible action now with the Several news articles in area at the expense of so many other the MDOT had estimated in Janu- George’s County amount to $125 state struggling economically and newspapers during August and Sep- critical transportation projects. ary of this year and was the second million and include such nearby the county’s aging roadways in tember reported that organizations The governor’s pursuit of the major overrun on an ICC contract. projects as the Beltway inter- dire need of improvements. and a growing number of Prince controversial new roadway has In April 2007 the contract for the change at the Greenbelt Metro County Executive Jack John- George’s County public officials angered lawmakers whose districts first segment cost $70-$140 million station, improvements to Route son was quoted in the press re- are calling on Governor Martin include highways considered un- more than MDOT had estimated 1 from College Avenue to Sun- lease as having supported the O’Malley to halt all funding for the safe, such as Route 1 from Laurel just months earlier.” nyside and investment in a Purple ICC in the past to bolster eco- 18.8 mile toll highway connector. to College Park and Branch Avenue Citing “rising construction costs, Line. Funding remains in place nomic activity in the county but Cited were predictions of enor- between Temple Hills and District rising fuel prices and huge revenue for the Intercounty Connector he expressed concerns that $125 mous cost overruns and the news Heights. shortfalls,” Montgomery Council- (ICC), Kenilworth Avenue ex- million in cuts to the county’s that the state is planning to cut Trust Fund Deficit member Marc Elrich said, “This tended and the Beltway con- transportation infrastructure will $1.1 billion from transportation The Federal Highway Trust single mega-project threatens road nector road to the University of “hinder this economic growth.” projects over the next six years, Fund is expected to run a mul- and transit investments that would Maryland. He promised to meet with Gov- threatening more than 100 local tibillion-dollar deficit and could serve more people by reducing In a recent press release Del- ernor O’Malley to get county road and transit projects across the jeopardize both the timing and the local congestion, giving people egate Joseline Peña-Melnyk of projects back on track. state (including $125 million for federal portion of funding for se- alternatives to driving and im- District 21 (which includes Col- Prince George’s County Coun- Prince George’s County) to pay for lected transportation projects such proving safety. It’s time to pull lege Park) called the postpone- cil Chair Samuel H. Dean said the ICC. as the ICC. (In mid-September, ment of these projects to fund the cuts “would cripple an already At the forefront of those calling Congress sent to the president a See ICC, page 8 the ICC “absolutely unacceptable challenging local economy.” He and an affront to the citizens of Prince George’s County.” She See CUTS, page 6 New Plans for a New Greenbelt Charrette Ideas, Designs Middle School Viewed by Public Workshops Start Oct. 11 by Amy S. Hansen by Frank DeBernardo Construction on the new The first in a series of four was due to the hundreds of peo- Greenbelt Middle School (GMS) workshops about the future of ple who turned out to share their is expected to start May 2009, Greenbelt will be held on Sat- ideas and visions,” said Jim Co- Prince George’s County Public urday, October 11 from 1:30 to hen, GRTF chair. “The challenge Schools (PGCPS) officials an- 4:30 p.m. at Greenbelt Baptist now is to turn these ideas into nounced at a public hearing on Church, Crescent and Greenhill action for Greenbelt’s future and September 15 in the Greenbelt Roads. for that we’ll also need residents Middle School gymnasium. Sponsored by the Green to participate. I’m confident that The plans and schematics for Ribbon Task Force (GRTF) of will happen based on our rich the new school were displayed Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI), history of resident activism.” and distributed to the 50 people the workshops are a follow-up to The first workshop on October in attendance. The new school’s the Greener Greenbelt charrette 11 will focus on the GHI dwell- architect went over the plans in which the task force hosted in ing units and grounds. Topics detail. September 2007. Each workshop for discussion will include build- Then he and PGCPS officials will begin with a half-hour slide ing additions to existing houses, fielded questions about capacity, show that highlights the three-day remodeling interiors, retrofitting appropriate environmental consid- charrette. The rest of each after- homes with “green technology” erations, access and the schedule noon will focus on the ideas and to make units more energy effi- of the building’s construction. designs generated by one of the cient and enhancing sustainability The new structure is expected charrette’s four work groups. and appearance of the co-op’s to be a replacement building with The follow-up workshops pro- grounds. the capacity to house 990 stu- vide an opportunity for attendees Future workshop topics will be dents. Current GMS enrollment to view the ideas and material of interest to all Greenbelters, not is 820. generated at the charrette, to learn just GHI members. They will According to Derek Mitchell, Elementary sends its sixth graders system. The current GMS is lo- about the direction that the GRTF examine increasingly larger scales executive director of the New to GMS. cated at the corner of Greenbelt is heading in for the future and of Greenbelt that the charrette and Charter Schools Office, the When asked about future ca- and Edmonston Roads. The new to find out how Greenbelters can examined: Roosevelt Center, new middle school will not be pacity to deal with planned hous- building will front onto Breeze- become involved in the process the neighborhood of Greenbelt’s expected to have the capacity ing growth in Greenbelt West, wood Drive in what is now a of future planning and imple- historic core and the Greater to accept sixth grade students Mitchell pointed out that the wooded part of the property. mentation. from any of the feeder schools new GMS will already be a big The plan is to build the new “The success of the charrette See CHARRETTE, page 12 that are not already sending sixth school. “Schools of over 1,000 structure while the old GMS is graders. are not good schools,” he said, so still in place. Once the new build- What Goes On Currently the feeder schools GMS should not be expanded to ing is completed, the non-historic Wednesday, October 1 for GMS are Greenbelt Elemen- meet future enrollment. Rather part of the old building will be 7 p.m., The City of Greenbelt’s Electoral Process, SHL Recre- tary, Berwyn Heights Elementary, PGCPS would need to come torn down, leaving the gym, mu- Springhill Lake Elementary, Paint up with other solutions, such as sic rooms and a few classrooms ation Center Branch Elementary, Magnolia building more schools. of the original building. The bus Sunday, October 5 Elementary and Hollywood El- The new building will be on 12:30 - 3:30 p.m., GHI Member Picnic, Hamilton Place ementary. Only Springhill Lake land already owned by the school See GMS, page 6 Page 2 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Thursday, September 25, 2008 A Review Grin Belt Letters “Crossing Delancey” at GAC I Don’t Get It Is a Delightful Comedy Some swastikas and nooses are found behind a school, merit- by Carol Griffith ing discussion in the city council, a front page article in the News The current offering at the Sandy Irving, a frequent ac- Review and a $500 reward for Greenbelt Arts Center, “Cross- tor at GAC who turns in excel- information leading to the cul- ing Delancey,” is an absolutely lent performances regardless of prits’ arrests.