ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL OBJECTIVES The Port Towns Sector Plan area has a diverse ˆˆ Encourage a mix of land uses in the Port employment base and residential population that Towns that contributes to the employment and business base. uses. Support of strategic residential and industrial ˆˆ Retain, develop, and support the industrial create market demand for quality retail and office “green” development opportunities within the area employment areas. enhances its commercial viability and attracts new investment. ˆˆ Take advantage of the river’s potential through the expansion and improvement of the BACKGROUND waterfront area by allowing for a mix of uses that create a destination at the Port Towns The historic Port Towns area features a strong waterfront. industrial base, a waterfront recreational area, historical resources, a community playhouse, and ˆˆ Expand residential development that creates easy access to and from the District of Columbia. additional market demand for future retail and The town contains a high percentage of residential development; most of these households are office uses. small, bungalow-style detached housing or rental Policy 1: apartments. The retail opportunities in Port Encourage mixed-use development along Annapolis Towns primarily serve the local population, and Road and Bladensburg Road. the socioeconomic characteristics of the locale Strategies: area merchants. The retail venues consist of mostly single-storyare reflected strip in the malls goods developed and services for automobile offered by ˆˆ access. The industrial districts provide an array of assembly, and shared resources for mixed- Pursue public/private partnerships, land employment opportunities and make up a large use development at the waterfront and portion of the land use in and around the railroad Publick Playhouse areas, as well as encourage and Kenilworth Avenue. The Port Towns’ historic restaurants to complement such uses. structures contribute to its unique and important ˆˆ Create additional market demand for a mix past but currently do not contribute economically of uses for the Port Towns area along the waterfront by developing a public structured Port Towns Community Development Corporation parking facility that maximizes the presence of provideto the community. a platform The for influence coordinated and support growth of andthe the river as a destination asset. challenges of the individual towns. development efforts, merging the strengths and

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 87 ˆˆ Encourage shared parking arrangements for Strategies: new medium- and higher-density, mixed-use ˆˆ Explore opportunities that will enable commercial and residential opportunities along developers to qualify for federal income tax Annapolis Road to support the sustainable credits, state income tax credits, and county property tax credits. or retail space. development of additional housing units and/ ˆˆ Support and help market the People’s Harbor Policy 2: project as a visitor destination and as a catalyst to increase visitation to the Port Towns area. Expand and modify the Port Towns’ business environment in response to changes and gaps in ˆˆ Create the Star-Spangled Banner National the marketplace. Historic Trail to increase the Port Towns’ national exposure. Strategies: ˆˆ ˆˆEncourage high-quality, mixed-use retail renovate and rehabilitate the riverfront in development. Encourageorder to provide public/private income and partnershipsprovide a quality to community asset and town center. ˆˆ to provide new space for neighborhood- Policy 4: Expandserving businesses the Port Towns’ and services office space such as offerings banks, attorneys, accountants, real estate agents, and Maintain the Port Towns’ industrial and manufacturing base to provide a stable employment foundation and to contribute to the area’s economic ˆˆ doctors’ offices. viability. incentives for local businesses to spur private Considerinvestment—such providing as financial tax abatement— and tax Strategies: streamlined review processes, and facade and streetscape improvement programs to enable ˆˆ area businesses to improve and maintain their appearances. Strengthenand their adjacent existing uses buffers in order and create to better new integratebuffers betweenindustrial manufacturing, activity. light industry, ˆˆ Ensure existing niche retailers have access to ˆˆ Consider developing improved performance to adapt to and succeed in the Port Towns’ standards for minimizing noise and air pollution changingthe business retail training environment. and financing necessary areas. ˆˆ Foster partnerships between local businesses, impacts and for buffering outdoor storage the county and the Port Towns municipal police ˆˆ Ensure that zoning is in place to maintain a departments, and the community to enhance strong industrial and commercial base and the appeal of the area to new businesses further promote a stable employment zone. and investment by reducing crime and the ˆˆ Encourage the clustering of auto-related services perception of crime. in the industrial areas. ˆˆPolicy 3: ˆˆ Work with established industrial property Utilize the riverfront to its full potential, creating a owners to promote green industrial and Port Towns waterfront that will generate additional manufacturing buildings, products, and economic activity in the area. services. ˆˆ

Createproperty a public/privatecenters for a green partnership building between design cluster.local government and industrial/commercial

88 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA Policy 5: Preserve, expand, and improve housing choices and opportunities to create and sustain market

Strategies:demand for quality retail and office uses. ˆˆ housing products and workforce housing priced Encouragefor homeownership. infill development to offer new ˆˆ Support the preservation and renovation of existing single-family residences, building on the strengths of the architectural style of the existing homes. ˆˆ Increase the rate of homeownership by promoting county, state, and federal programs

ˆˆ Review residential development plans to designed to assist first-time homebuyers. higher density development. confirm consistency with sector plan goals for ˆˆ Ensure residents have access to foreclosure prevention programs and services.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 89 90 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA HISTORIC PRESERVATION

GOAL Register is achieved through a federally legislated nomination process. Listing provides recognition and establishes a review process if federal or state communities are appreciated and valued as importantSignificant elements historic properties of the Port as Towns’well as culturalhistoric Historic survey areas have been documented heritage. Restoration and adaptive use of historic funding or licensing would affect the property. properties and communities enhance the unique in Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Edmonston, and historic character of the area. Bladensburg. In Colmar Manor and Cottage City, the survey areas focused on residential BACKGROUND entity. In Edmonston, two survey areas have been Located on the Anacostia River close to the District components of these communities as a unified of Columbia, the Port Towns area was the site of century and mid-twentieth century residential early and important settlement. As a result, the area character.identified In for Bladensburg, their distinctly separate early survey twentieth areas include commercial and residential components. nineteenth century historic resources. In addition, This chapter also includes maps of each community theincludes area experienced a number of sustained significant development eighteenth that and survey area with a brief description of the character extended well into the twentieth century with the of that area. suburbanization of the area that began in earnest at the turn of the twentieth century and continued The underlying concept of the county’s historic until just after World War II. preservation program is that historic resources within communities help provide a “sense of place” Within Cottage City, Colmar Manor, Edmonston, and that preserving a community’s heritage involves and Bladensburg there are a number of individual a shared commitment from private property owners historic sites and historic resources included as well as the public sector. A number of the historic in the county’s 1992 Historic Sites and Districts sites and historic resources in the plan area are Plan. In addition, portions of all four Port Towns owned by a municipal government or by M-NCPPC. communities include concentrations of historic These include: the Dueling Grounds (a historic site resources and other documented historic properties within an M-NCPPC-owned park in Colmar Manor), that may meet historic district criteria either for Spa Spring site (a historic resource owned by local historic district designation under the Prince M-NCPPC in Edmonston), the Market Master’s House George’s County Historic Preservation Ordinance and Bostwick (historic sites owned by the Town (Subtitle 29 of the Prince George’s County Code) of Bladensburg), Evergreen Cemetery (a historic or for listing in the National Register of Historic resource owned by the Town of Bladensburg), and Places. The National Register of Historic Places Peace Cross (a historic resource located within the is the federal government’s list of the nation’s intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Annapolis Road and owned by M-NCPPC). Although a number national, state, or local level. Listing in the National of these publicly owned sites, as well as privately cultural resources that are significant at the

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 91 owned ones like the George Washington House, ˆˆ Evaluate conservation district techniques for the Hilleary-Magruder House, and St. Paul’s Baptist potential use in these communities. Church in Bladensburg, are geographically close ˆˆ Educate property owners about the history to one another, pedestrian linkages among them of their community and about appropriate require study in order to enhance interrelationships, maintenance, conservation, and rehabilitation accessibility, and visitation. of their properties. Other planning issues that should be addressed ˆˆ Educate property owners, realtors, and others include the preservation and enhancement of about available county, state, and federal tax community character through potential historic credits and grant programs for rehabilitation districts or conservation districts, façade and maintenance of historic property. improvement programs, and interpretive signage programs. The establishment of conservation ˆˆ historic sites to enhance interrelationships, Developaccessibility, pedestrian and visitation. linkages among identified districts may be an effective means of enhancing an area without the level of review associated with ˆˆ Permanently commemorate and promote the historicthe architectural district designation. and character-defining features of the War of 1812 and bicentennial celebrations HISTORIC RESOURCES, HISTORIC ofsignificance these historic of the events. role of the Port Towns area in SITES, DOCUMENTED PROPERTIES, AND SURVEY AREAS Policy 1: Table 14 summarizes the status of historic Evaluate historic resources and historic survey properties documented by the M-NCPPC Planning areas for consideration as historic sites and historic Department. Following the table, the accompanying districts. historic sites and historic resources within each Strategies: historiccommunity community description in the includesPort Towns all Sector identified Plan ˆˆ Support historic resource and historic community documentation as part of the update regarding the evaluation and designation of to the Historic Sites and Districts Plan. individualboundaries. properties It is expected will that be made specific through proposals the update to the county’s Historic Sites and Districts ˆˆ Consider whether portions of the Port Towns Plan, initiated in November 2008. The discussion communities merit designation as local historic of interest in historic district proposals and districts or conservation districts, or merit listing conservation district proposals could begin during in the National Register of Historic Places based this sector plan process as well. on recently completed surveys of Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Edmonston, and Bladensburg. HISTORIC PRESERVATION OBJECTIVES Policy 2: ˆˆ Preserve and protect historic properties in the Develop strategies to encourage the preservation Port Towns Sector Plan area. and adaptive use of Bostwick Historic Site and its environmental setting. ˆˆ Recognize historic sites and their environmental settings for their historical, archeological, and Strategies: ˆˆ Use the Hilleary-Magruder House and the George ˆˆ Identify and evaluate all historic resources, architectural significance to their communities. Washington House in Bladensburg as successful documented properties, and community survey examples, for other historic sites in the Port areas that meet the criteria of the Historic Towns area, of adaptive use strategies that Preservation Ordinance. employ local, state, and federal tax incentives.

92 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA Table 14: Identified Historic Resources, Historic Sites, Documented Properties, and Surveyed Areas within the Port Towns Sector Plan Area. Historic Properties By Location Property Name Property Address Colmar Manor 68-014 (Historic Site) Dueling Grounds 37th Avenue 68-103 (Survey Area) Colmar Manor Survey Area Cottage City 68-020 (Historic Resource) 4203 Bunker Hill Road Cottage City House Rural Cottage at the Highlands/ 68-096 Cottage City Survey Area Edmonston 68-079 Edmonston Survey Area 68-079-01(Documented Property) Poppleton-Roberts House 5104 Emerson Street 68-102 (Survey Area) Edmonston Terrace Survey Area Bladensburg 69-001 (Historic Resource) Spa Spring Site Tanglewood Drive 69-005 (Survey Area) Bladensburg Survey Area 69-037 (Survey Area) North Decatur Heights Survey Area 69-038 (Survey Area) Washington Suburban Homes Survey Area George Washington House 4302 Baltimore Avenue 69-005-02 (Historic Site/National Register) 69-005-06 (Historic Site) St. Paul’s Baptist Church 4107 47th Street Hilleary-Magruder House 4703 Annapolis Road Market Master’s House 4006 48th Street 69-005-07 (Historic Site/National Register) Bostwick 3901 48th Street 69-005-08 (Historic Site/National Register 69-005-16 (Historic Resource) Peace Cross 4500 block 69-005-09 (Historic Site/National Register) Annapolis Road 69-010 (Historic Resource) Evergreen Cemetery 3600 block 52nd Avenue 69-036 (National Register) Hilltop Manor Apartments 5302 Annapolis Road

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 93 ˆˆ Encourage publicly accessible, community- Colmar Manor History based adaptive reuse of the property to enhance the visibility of the historic site as a local and The Town of Colmar Manor was established as a regional resource. residential commuter suburb in the early years of the twentieth century. The town is located east Policy 3: of the boundary between Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County and south of Bladensburg Enhance pedestrian linkages between the Port Road, east of Fort Lincoln Cemetery, and west of Towns communities and their historic resources to the Anacostia River. encourage visitation and the area’s desirability as a destination. During the War of 1812 (1812-1815) the area now comprising portions of Colmar Manor was involved Strategy: in a military clash between American and British forces. On August 24, 1814, during the Battle of ˆˆ Bladensburg, British troops quickly defeated the commemorations, and materials, such as walking inexperienced American forces, and marched Developtour brochures interpretive and web-based signage, informationsite-specific south to the nation’s capital where they captured sources, focused on local historic resources and and burned much of the city.1 historic themes on an individual community basis, Colmar Manor is best known as the site of or on a cross-community basis, as appropriate. nineteenth-century dueling grounds. The most famous duel that took place there was between Policy 4: Commodore Stephen Decatur and James Barron. Implement the preservation goals and objectives of After a long-standing feud between the two men, the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA) Plan. Barron challenged Decatur to a duel in 1820. Both men were wounded and Decatur died from Strategies: his injuries. The site, now located in a small park ˆˆ Encourage all four Port Towns municipalities to near 37th Avenue and Bladensburg Road, served distribute promotional materials on ATHA. between 1808 and 1868.2 ˆˆ Evaluate the use of conservation districts to as a dueling ground for at least 26 recorded fights protect community character in older historic The Martenet map of 1861 and the Hopkins map communities. of 1878 document the limited development in the area that would become Colmar Manor.3 The Shreve Policy 5: house, constructed circa 1817, is believed to be the Explore partnerships and leveraging of resources to maximize the potential of underutilized historic 1 Alan Virta, Prince George’s County: A Pictorial History properties. (Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company, 1991), 94-95. Strategies: 2 ˆˆ Promote county, state, and federal preservation History,” The Prince George’s Sentinel, 3 September tax credits for historic sites and National 1992;Wanda “Dueling Carr, “Town Creek: Seal A Historical of Colmar Look,” Manor The Reflects Prince Register properties by regularly sending George’s Post, September 3-September 9, 1992. information about these programs to historic 3 property owners. Simon J. Martenet, “Atlas of Prince George’s County, Maryland, 1861, Adapted from Martenet’s Map ˆˆ Encourage historic property owners to pursue of Prince George’s County, Maryland” (Baltimore: Simon J. Martenet C.E., 1861); G.M. Hopkins, “Atlas Prince George’s County Historic Property Grant of Fifteen Miles Around Washington, Including the Program.financial support through mechanisms like the County of Prince George Maryland” (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878).

94 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA area and is noted on Colmar Manor, 2005 Aerial bothfirst house mid-nineteenth- built in the = 2007 survey area century maps. The Shreve = 2007 potential historic or farmhouse burned in conservation district the 1890s and is no boundary longer extant.4 The area around Colmar Manor remained farm- land until the early twentieth century when part of the Shreve estate was platted and subdivided as Colmar Manor. The name was derived from the “Col” in Columbia and “Mar” Map 21: Colmar Manor from Maryland.5 Colmar Manor consists of three subdivisions car or by automobile, demonstrating the easy commute between Washington, D.C., and the new subdivision was platted as Colmar Manor in 1918 community.9 In 1920, the adjoining neighborhood byplatted the J.W. between Holloway 1918 Company. and 6 1920. The Washington, The first of Lenox was platted, extending the grid pattern D.C.-based development company advertised lots of Colmar Manor’s streets.10 The Town of Colmar for sale in Colmar Manor for only $59.7 That same Manor was incorporated in 1927 and in 1931 the year, the J.W. Holloway Company platted the First Lenox subdivision was added to the town.11 Addition to Colmar Manor and sold lots there for After incorporation, the town continued to grow and $59.8 Holloway advertised Colmar Manor as an residents soon appealed to the local government attractive subdivision of Washington, D.C., which for amenities. In the 1930s, the streets were paved, was “cramped for room and must expand.” Colmar gutters were installed, and a school and a municipal Manor’s location outside of the District of Columbia building were constructed. By the 1950s, the town was “in the path of this expansion, half an hour outgrew its municipal building and a new facility was from the center of the city.” Prospective buyers constructed in 1959 to house the police department were encouraged to visit Colmar Manor by trolley 12 In the 1950s, lots along Bladensburg Road were subdivided and rezoned toand provideadministrative space offices. for commercial development. 4 George Denny, Jr., Proud Past, Promising Future: As a result of a rapid decline in the character of Cities and Towns in Prince George’s County, Maryland Colmar Manor in the 1960s, the U.S. Department (Brentwood, MD: George D. Denny, Jr., 1997), 130. of Housing and Urban Development authorized 5 Denny, Proud Past, 131.

6 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, 9 “Warning!,” The Washington Post, 22 September Plat Book RNR 2:37. 1918.

7 “Lots for Sale,” The Washington Post, 7 February 10 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, 1919. Plat Book RNR 2:54.

8 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, 11 Denny, Proud Past, 131. Plat Book RNR 2:41; “Warning!,” The Washington Post, 22 September 1918. 12 Denny, Proud Past, 131.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 95 an urban renewal project that resulted in the building and construct a new municipal center that community being awarded more than $8 million for will house a “gymnasium, inside track, game room, improvements and revitalization.13 In addition to day care services, multipurpose room with a stage revitalizing the housing stock and redeveloping the and room for 200 people (more than doubling current commercial strip along Bladensburg Road, streets capacity), outdoor terrace, full kitchen, meeting space for seniors and youth outreach programs, and the Colmar Manor Park was established on the tutoring workspace and a computer lab.”15 were improved, affordable14 housing was constructed, Map 21 illustrates the area surveyed and proposed There is one historic site in Colmar Manor: boundaries for a potential historic or conservation site of a former landfill. district, should the community decide to pursue ˆˆ one of these options to enhance and safeguard Bladensburg Road 68-014, Dueling Grounds, 37th Avenue off community character. There are currently no designated historic resources in Colmar Manor. Cottage City History

Community Character in Colmar Manor Cottage City was established as a late-nineteenth- century railroad suburb originally known as The A windshield survey of Colmar Manor was Highlands. Incorporated in 1924, Cottage City, conducted in November 2007. The survey area located between the City of Mount Rainier and the contains approximately 405 primary resources. Town of Bladensburg near the US 1 corridor, is one The community contains a variety of buildings of the smallest incorporated towns in Maryland.16 constructed from circa 1918 to the 1970s. Buildings Cottage City is bounded by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad on the northwest, the Anacostia River on twentieth-century styles, including Craftsman, the northeast, Bladensburg Road on the southeast, Colonialin Colmar Revival, Manor Dutch reflect Colonial a variety Revival, of popular Tudor and 37th Avenue on the southwest.17 Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and styles from the Modern Movement. The majority of buildings are Located near the Eastern Branch of the Anacostia one-and-a-half-story bungalows with varying levels River, much of the area now comprising Cottage of Craftsman-style detailing. Other forms include City was originally swamp land. In 1608, explorer ranch houses, split-levels, split-foyers and other John Smith noted that the area was inhabited by small rectangular-shaped dwellings. An apartment Native Americans from the Anacostank tribe, who 18 building dating from the late 1930s is located at 4209 lived on what is now called the Anacostia River. Newark Road and is the only multifamily dwelling in the community. The topography of the neighborhood 15 “Lt. Governor Steele to Present Community Legacy A strip of non-historic commercial development is locatedis flat, and along houses Bladensburg are set back Road. slightly Other from the building road. aspx,Award accessed in Bladensburg,” 4 January 2008. http://www.dhcd.state. uses include religious and educational. The only md.us/Website/NewsEvents/news/20050401. public building in Colmar Manor serves as the 16 Town of Cottage City, “Town of Cottage City Maryland: Information Handbook” (no date), unpublished, immediate future, the town plans to demolish this administrative offices of the town. However, in the County Historic Preservation & Public Facilities, Planninglocated in Section, the files 1. at M-NCPPC, Prince George’s

13 Denny, Proud Past, 132. 17 “Cottage City: Don’t Make Little of This Town,” Prince George’s Extra, 23 June 1999 14 KCI Technologies, Inc., “Community Summary 18 Christian F. Feest, “Nanticoke and Neighboring Tribes,” in Handbook of North American Indians, Sheet: Colmar Manor,” (October 1999), http:// ed. Bruce G. Trigger (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian co.pdf.www.sha.state.md.us/keepingcurrent/ Institution, 1978), 241. maintainRoadsBridges/bridges/oppe/suburbs/pg_

96 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA as the area around Cottage Cottage City, 2005 Aerial The first settlement in “Yarrow,” City was originally known, = 2007 survey area was established by 1697.19 During the early eighteenth = 2007 potential century, a water-powered historic or conservation grist mill was constructed district boundary in the vicinity. Moyer’s Mill (later known as Carleton’s Mill), located on property that is now bounded by Bunker Hill Road mill constructed in this part of Maryland.and 43rd 20 Avenue, The mill was operated the first until the late nineteenth century and stood until its demolition in the 1950s as part of the Anacostia millstones still remain as part of theflood sidewalk control on project. the 3700 Two block of the of 21 42nd Avenue. Map 22: Cottage City Cottage City was the site of military activity during two wars. In August 1814, the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812 was fought in part at the site. Almost Cottage City was originally platted in 1870 as a railroad suburb known as the “City of the Camp Casey was established on farmland outside Highlands” by a group of Washington, D.C., offive Bladensburg decades later, in during present-day the Civil Cottage War (1861-1865), City.22 The developers. The community was advertised as Martenet map of 1861 depicts little development in the “Overlooking Bladensburg and Hyattsville on area. The rural landscape contained a few dwellings, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad…the future of Carleton’s grist mill, and a tollgate at the intersection of suburban places about Washington!” Developers Bladensburg Road and Georgetown Pike.23 planned to build “cottages, villas, and dwellings,” using designs that were reminiscent of Andrew Jackson Downing’s Cottage Residences (1842).24 19 George Denny, Jr., Proud Past, Promising Future: Despite the attractiveness of the well-planned Cities and Towns in Prince George’s County, Maryland community, the subdivision failed because there (Brentwood, MD: George D. Denny, Jr., 1997), 135. was inadequate public transportation. In 1878, the Hopkins map documents limited growth in Cottage 20 Town of Cottage City, “Town of Cottage City Maryland: Information Handbook,” 1. City. The most notable change is the addition of the Highland train station. A few new dwellings 21 Bicentennial Committee, “A History of the Town constructed between 1861 and 1878 appear on the of Cottage City, Maryland” (Cottage City, MD: Bicentennial Committee, May 1976), 3.

22 Alan Virta, Prince George’s County: A Pictorial History (Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company, 1991), 124. 24 “City of the Highlands, Prince George [sic] County, 23 Simon J. Martenet, “Atlas of Prince George’s County, Maryland” (Washington, D.C.: 1870), located at Maryland, 1861, Adapted from Martenet’s Map Prince George’s County Planning Department, of Prince George’s County, Maryland” (Baltimore: Historic Preservation Section, Cottage City at The Simon J. Martenet C.E., 1861). Highlands File.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 97 map.25 From 1886 to 1888, Colonel Gilbert Moyer There are no historic sites in Cottage City. There is began amassing land by purchasing farmland and one historic resource in the Cottage City area: tracts of land in the failed Highlands subdivision. ˆˆ 68-020 In 1888, Moyer established the Highland Company The Rural Cottage at the Highlands 4203 Bunker Hill Road the layout of the subdivision and divided many of theand parcels replatted into the smaller-sized community. lots.Moyer26 reconfigured Community Character in Cottage City After the economic depression of the early 1890s, the A windshield survey of Cottage City was streetcar system expanded, encouraging suburban conducted in November 2007. The survey area development in the greater Washington, D.C., area. includes approximately 341 primary resources. In 1897, the Maryland and Washington Railway The community contains a variety of buildings opened a line that ended at Mount Rainier.27 By 1912, constructed from circa 1914 to the 1980s. Buildings the streetcar line was extended to Berwyn Heights.28 With the construction of the streetcar system in century styles including Craftsman, Spanish Revival, Prince George’s County, small communities such as andin Cottage Modern City Movement. reflect a variety The majorityof popular of twentieth- buildings Cottage City, Brentwood, and Mount Rainier grew (approximately 90 percent) are one-and-a-half-story into active commuter suburbs. bungalows with varying levels of Craftsman-style By 1914, the Highlands property was subdivided a detailing. Another common building type in Cottage third time and platted as Cottage City.29 Beginning in World War I (1914–1918), Charles M. Lightbown dwelling. These buildings are typically clad in stucco began constructing one-story “cottages” in Cottage andCity ishave the smallone-story, porticos flat-roofed or entry Spanish porches Revival-style topped by City. These bungalows were primarily located on a shed roof covered with regularly laid Spanish tiles. Bladensburg Road and 41st Avenue.30 By 1938, the The dwellings often feature arched openings, typical majority of lots in the neighborhood were improved, of the Spanish Revival style. Other less frequent most with modest bungalows. Today, Cottage City forms include examples of ranch houses and other remains a middle-class commuter suburb in Prince small side-gabled dwellings. The topography of the George’s County. setbacks from the street. A strip of commercial developmentneighborhood is is located flat and along houses Bladensburg have only Road.small 25 G.M. Hopkins, “Atlas of Fifteen Miles Around Many of these buildings are dwellings that have Washington, Including the County of Prince George been adapted for commercial use. The single Maryland” (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878). public building in Cottage City houses municipal 26 “City of the Highlands, Prince George [sic] County, Maryland” (Washington, D.C.: 1870), located at Prince and was constructed in 1987. administrative offices and the police department George’s County Planning Department, Historic Map 22 illustrates the area surveyed and proposes Preservation Section, Cottage City at The Highlands boundaries for a potential historic or conservation File; Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit district, should the community decide to pursue Court, JWB 9:365. one of these options to enhance and safeguard 27 Virta, Prince George’s County: A Pictorial History, community character. 192. Edmonston History 28 Bicentennial Committee, “A History of the Town of Cottage City, Maryland,” 28. The incorporated Town of Edmonston was established in the late nineteenth century as a 29 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, commuter suburb located just northeast of the Plat Book BDS 1:10. boundary between the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County. The community is bounded 30 Town of Cottage City, “Town of Cottage City Maryland: by the Town of Riverdale Park on the north and east, Information Handbook,” 31.

98 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA the Town of Bladensburg on the south, and the City Edmonston was originally platted in 1903 as two of Hyattsville on the west. Edmonston is bisected by subdivisions: East Hyattsville and Palestine. Several the Anacostia River and the Anacostia River Park. houses in Edmonston pre-date the subdivisions and were constructed in 1899 by Elisha P. Taylor. Edmonston, originally known as “East Hyattsville,” East Hyattsville was platted on approximately 70 is one of many communities established outside of acres of land by J. Harris Rogers of Hyattsville. The Washington, D.C., in the late nineteenth and early plat included 170 lots, each approximately 50 by twentieth centuries as a commuter suburb. Early maps, 200 feet, resulting in very long, narrow lots. The such as the Martenet map of 1861 and the Hopkins’ smaller subdivision, Palestine, was platted by Dr. 1878 map show little development in the Edmonston Charles A. Wells as part of his dairy, Palestine Farm. area, but they do show the developing community of Hyattsville to the west. The establishment and 62 lots, each approximately 75 by 175 feet. Wells subsequent development of Edmonston followed that Twenty-five acres of this land was subdivided into of neighboring Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, College remainder of the lots were sold unimproved.32 constructed approximately five houses for sale; the which began to develop in 1873. The extension of the The community was home to a working middle- CityPark, and Brentwood, Suburban andRailway Mount Company Rainier, between the first 1899 of class population, many of whom were employed and 1902 allowed people to move from the District of by the U.S. government as clerks, working for the Columbia to these communities and travel to work by Departments of War, Treasury, and the Internal streetcar. Building upon the growth and development of Hyattsville, two local men began to purchase and subdivide land located east of Hyattsville, in what StillRevenue other Service, early the residents Printing and were Engraving employed office, by would soon become Edmonston.31 the Post local Office, railroads and the and Department served of as Agriculture. engineers, telegraphers, and motormen. Edmonston was also

31 The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Edmonston Historical 32 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 7-9. Survey (Upper Marlboro: M-NCPPC, 1993), 4.

2007 survey area 2007 potential historic or conservation district boundary for Edmonston = 2007 potential historic or Map 23: Edmonston conservation district boundary Edmonston Terrace

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 99 home to many who worked in the construction and Lafayette Place on the east, Gallatin Street on building trades.33 the south, and 46th Avenue on the west.40 Master Builders constructed nearly identical two-story, As the East Hyattsville community grew, residents side-gabled, brick houses on all 41 lots. The houses desired to incorporate their community in order to were marketed directly to veterans returning from provide better services. By 1920, over 103 families the war, and featured a kitchen, living room, and resided in 98 dwellings in the small but growing community.34 and one bathroom on the second story.41 With the incorporated as Edmonston.35 It is believed that additiondining room of Edmonstonon the first story, Terrace, and thetwo populationbedrooms the community In was 1924, named the town for Captain was officially James of Edmonston grew from 717 in 1930 to 1,190 in Edmonston of Bladensburg, who in 1742 purchased 1950.42 Today, the population of the community is 60 acres of land near what is now Edmonston.36 approximately 1,000 residents.43 Edmonston Road, named for the same family, was There are currently no designated historic sites Bladensburg and Vansville.37 or historic resources in Edmonston. However, on also an early north/south route that ran between September 7, 2008, a historic marker was placed Soon after the town’s incorporation, Robert to commemorate Mount Rose—a community Funkhouser, a developer of Mount Rainier, purchased established by freed Riversdale plantation slaves, several large lots south of Decatur Street (formerly Adam and Emily Plummer, on ten acres of land that Wells Avenue) where he subdivided the land into later became a part of Edmonston.44 approximately 40 lots, each averaging 40 by 90 feet. Beginning in 1925, Funkhouser built bungalows on each lot and quickly sold them. These bungalows Edmonston Community Character were typically one-and-a-half stories in height with A windshield survey of Edmonston was conducted side-gabled roofs and a full-width shed roof porch.38 in November 2007. The survey area consists of In the 1930s, development slowed in the community approximately 312 primary resources. At the due to the Depression and did not actively begin request of the Edmonston Town Council, the again until after World War II (1941-1945), with Edmonston community was previously surveyed by the subdivision of Edmonston Terrace.39 Platted in 1945 by Master Builders, Inc., the nine-acre in 1992–1993. Little has changed in Edmonston Prince George’s County Planning Department staff subdivision consisted of 41 lots bounded on the north by the south side of Ingraham Street, 40 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, Plat Book BB 10:25. 33 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 42. 41 “New Homes in Edmonston Terrace,” The Washington Post, 8 June 1947. 34 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 42. 42 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 50. 35 Maryland State Archives, “Prince George’s County, 43 Maryland State Archives, “Prince George’s County, Maryland, Municipalities, Edmonston,” http://www. msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/37mun/edmonston/ Maryland, Municipalities, Edmonston,” http://www. 36 Georgehtml/e.html D. Denny, accessed Jr., Proud 7 November Past, Promising 2007. Future: msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/37mun/edmonston/ Cities and Towns in Prince George’s County, Maryland 44 Edmonstonhtml/e.html accessed News—From 7 November the 2007. Mayor’s Desk, (Brentwood, MD: Dilden Company, 1997), 159. September 2008 37 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 42.

38 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 43.

39 M-NCPPC, Edmonston Historical Survey, 50.

100 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA since the 1993 survey. Edmonston remains a small In 1747, Bladensburg was designated as an commuter suburb, located west of Kenilworth inspection site for tobacco in Prince George’s County. In order to protect the quality of tobacco Island Avenue. Buildings in Edmonston represent being shipped to England, all tobacco grown in primarilyAvenue and residential east of use, Baltimore with a Avenue/Rhode few dwellings Maryland had to pass through inspections sites rehabilitated for commercial use along Decatur at Nottingham, Piscataway, Upper Marlboro, or Street, and several public buildings including the Bladensburg before it was allowed to be publicly Town Hall and recreation center. Buildings range in sold.46 By 1776, Bladensburg exported more age from the late nineteenth century to the 1970s, tobacco than any other Maryland port on the with the majority dating from the 1890s to 1947. western shore of the Chesapeake. By the late eighteenth century, Bladensburg supported a but many buildings have been altered by additions. shipyard, tannery, waterfront wharves, taverns, BuildingThere is little forms modern represented infill within include the community, I-houses, stores, and dwellings.47 front-gabled structures, L-shaped plans, American The eighteenth-century seaport of Bladensburg Foursquares, bungalows, “minimal traditional,” and has been greatly altered; however, several early the ranch house. Architectural styles represented buildings remain, including four structures pre- include vernacular interpretations of popular dating the American Revolution (1775-1783).48 styles such as Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and The earliest extant building is Bostwick, a Craftsman, as well as the Modern Movement. There Georgian-style building constructed in 1746 by are many secondary resources in the community Christopher Lowndes. Lowndes also constructed including garages and sheds. The topography of the Market Master’s House in 1765, which served as the home for the port’s manager. The Hilleary- Magruder House was erected by William Hilleary typicallyEdmonston set close is relatively to the road. flat with most houses between 1742 and 1746 and was visited by George having flat or slightly sloping lots. Houses are Map 23 illustrates the area surveyed and proposes Washington in 1787. The George Washington House boundaries for a potential historic or conservation was constructed as a store in 1760 and was part district, should the community decide to pursue of a commercial complex that originally included a one of these options to enhance and safeguard tavern and blacksmith shop.49 community character.

Bladensburg History 46 Marina King, “The Tobacco Industry in Prince Located in western Prince George’s County, the George’s County, 1680-1940,” in Historic Contexts in town of Bladensburg was established in 1742 by an Prince George’s County: Short Papers on Settlement act passed by the General Assembly, establishing Patterns, Transportation and Cultural History (Upper a town near Garrison’s Landing on the Eastern Marlboro, MD: Maryland-National Capital Park and Branch, as the Anacostia River was then known. Planning Commission, 1991), 69-71. Originally called “Bladensburgh,” the town was 47 Susan G. Pearl, Prince George’s County African- named after colonial governor Thomas Bladen. American Heritage Survey, 1996 (Upper Marlboro, The General Assembly required that the town be MD: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning divided into 60 lots that were to be improved within Commission, 1996), 37. 18 months by a “tenantable House, with one Brick or Stone Chimney…that shall cover four Hundred 48 Michael F. Dwyer, “Bladensburg Survey District” square Feet of Ground” [sic]. 45 Maryland Historic Trust Inventory Form for State Historic Sites Survey (March 1973), 7:1.

49 The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning 45 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1740- Commission. Illustrated Inventory of Historic Sites, 1744, Volume 42, 413-415. Prince George’s County, Maryland (Upper Marlboro: M-NCPPC, 2006), 69.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 101 Although there was little military activity in Prince accessibility to more farmers, merchants, and larger George’s County during the American Revolution, ships. The last commercial vessel left Bladensburg Bladensburg was documented in 1782 by a French in 1843, loaded with 60 hogsheads of tobacco. cartographer who was traveling with General When the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Rochambeau’s Army. The map shows a small but was constructed in 1835, the railroad bypassed well-developed town on the banks of the river.50 During the War of 1812, Bladensburg was the site mid-nineteenth century commercial center.53 of a decisive battle. In August 1814, British troops Bladensburg, effectively cutting off the town as a The Martenet map of 1861 documents a small but traversed Prince George’s County to Bladensburg where they planned to cross the Anacostia River and available for Bladensburg residents, including enter the District of Columbia. The British quickly severalself-sufficient general town. stores, A variety a blacksmith of amenities shop, were shoe defeated the inexperienced American militia, and marched south to Washington, D.C., where they and several churches, representing Methodist, captured and burned the nation’s capital.51 Presbyterian,maker, cabinet and maker, Episcopalian doctor’s office,congregations. schoolhouse, Two Despite the ultimate British success against mills were located outside of the town, one to the east Washington, Commodore Joshua Barney executed and one to the west. The Female Academy and Spa a defense strategy against the British using local Spring were both located north of Bladensburg.54 The construction of the Alexandria Branch of the perhaps more importantly, manned by local people, B&O Railroad in the 1870s spurred development whichvessels included suited for slaves, operating free black in shoals sailors, and and flats white and, in Bladensburg. By 1878, the Hopkins map shows sailors who were familiar with the waters and the growth in the town directly related to the expansion of the rail line. In support of this growing industry, threat to the British that was out of proportion to its two hotels and several new stores were constructed. sizesurrounding and the British terrain. were Barney’s stymied flotilla until sustained their main a The northern and eastern portions of the town force arrived from Bermuda. Only when Barney’s experienced the most growth, as the town expanded closer to neighboring communities such as on Washington. The feeble defense of Washington Hyattsville. Many new dwellings, outbuildings, and inflotilla no way had matched been destroyed Barney’s didforesighted the British and march brave commercial buildings were constructed between

52 1861 and 1878. Three new churches appear on the map: the African Methodist Episcopalian, St. Paul’s efforts on the rivers or the fight put up by him and By the mid-nineteenth century, the town of Second Baptist, and St. Luke’s Catholic Church. his men on the field at Bladensburg. Bladensburg evolved from a bustling port to a small The town boasted a much larger public school and town that included several churches, shops, and Bladensburg Academy, a private school.55 Although historic dwellings. As the Anacostia River silted not noted on the map, a Freedmen’s Bureau school up, the river became unnavigable for larger ships was established in Bladensburg in 1866, and a carrying tobacco and supplies. As trade and shipping in Bladensburg and other small ports decreased, Baltimore was growing as a port because of its 53 Pearl, African-American Heritage Survey, 37.

54 Simon J. Martenet, “Atlas of Prince George’s County, 50 Alan Virta, Prince George’s County: A Pictorial Maryland, 1861, Adapted from Martenet’s Map of Prince George’s County, Maryland” (Baltimore: Publishers, 1984, 1991), 80-81. Simon J. Martenet C.E., 1861). History (Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company/ 51 Vita, Prince George’s County: 94-95. 55 G.M. Hopkins, “Atlas of Fifteen Miles Around Washington, Including the County of Prince George 52 Riverine Warfare: The U.S. Navy’s Operations on Maryland” (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, C.E., 1878). Inland Waters, Navy Department Library, Washington

Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 102 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA schoolhouse for African-American students was ˆˆ 69-005-16, Peace Cross, 4500 block of Annapolis constructed in 1867.56 Road In the early twentieth century, the expansion of There is one property in Bladensburg individually the streetcar system connected Bladensburg and listed in the National Register of Historic Places: other communities to Washington, D.C., Prince ˆˆ 69-36, Hilltop Manor (NR), 4100-4112, 4200- 4214 53rd Ave, 4100-4210 53rd Place, and a convenient location near the District of Columbia. 5300-5304 Annapolis Road TheGeorge’s Washington, County offered Spa Spring, a lower and cost Gretta of living Railroad and served Bladensburg from 1910 through the early Community Character in Bladensburg 1920s. The line started on Fifteenth and H Streets, NE, in Washington, D.C., stopped at Bladensburg, and A windshield survey of the residential areas of then followed Edmonston Road to East Riverdale Bladensburg was conducted in February 2008. This and Berwyn Heights.57 From the early twentieth area includes the original subdivisions of Linwood century through the mid-twentieth century, several (1911), Decatur Heights (1915), Whiteley (1919), subdivisions were platted on the northeastern edges North Decatur Heights (1925), Section 4 of Decatur of the historic town. Notable among these were North Heights (1927), Washington Suburban Homes Decatur Heights (1925), Washington Suburban (1946), and Decatur Heights, Addition A (1947). Homes (1942), and Decatur Heights (1947). The survey area consists of approximately 729 primary resources. The 2008 windshield survey Bladensburg has remained an active suburban focused on the residential areas of Bladensburg community in Prince George’s County since the north and east of the original Bladensburg survey early twentieth century. Although the town has area. Bladensburg is a bustling community, undergone many changes, it retains a number of bisected by Annapolis Road and Kenilworth historic buildings that recall the town’s character Avenue. Commercial resources are largely concentrated along these major streets. Buildings half of the twentieth century. and importance from the colonial era to the first in Bladensburg represent a variety of uses including Historic sites in Bladensburg include: residential, commercial, industrial, religious, and ˆˆ 69-005-02, George Washington House (NR), educational. Public buildings include the Town 4302 Baltimore Avenue Hall (4229 Edmonston Road) and the Bladensburg Community Center (4500 57th Avenue). Buildings ˆˆ 69-005-06, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 4107 47th in the residential areas of Bladensburg date from Street the early twentieth century through the 1970s. ˆˆ 69-005-07, Hilleary-Magruder House (NR), Building forms represented include the American 4703 Annapolis Road Foursquare, the bungalow, Cape Cod, “minimal traditional,” and the ranch house. Architectural ˆˆ 69-005-08, Market Master’s House (NR), 4006 styles present include various interpretations of the 48th Street Colonial Revival, Craftsman, and illustrations from ˆˆ 69-005-9, Bostwick (NR), 3901 48th Street the Modern Movement. There are many secondary resources in the community, including garages and There are three historic resources in Bladensburg: sheds. The topography of Bladensburg is relatively ˆˆ 69-001, Spa Spring Site, Tanglewood Drive lots. Houses are typically set close to the road. ˆˆ 69-005-10, Evergreen Cemetery, 52nd Avenue flat with most houses having flat or slightly sloping south of Newton Street The subdivisions of Linwood, Decatur Heights, Whiteley, North Decatur Heights, Section 4 of Decatur Heights, Washington Suburban Homes, and Addition A of Decatur Heights, comprise the larger 56 Pearl, African-American Heritage Survey, 37. historic residential communities of Bladensburg. Several of these subdivisions in Bladensburg 57 Virta, Prince George’s County, 205.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 103 Bladensburg, 2007 Aerial = 2008 survey area = 2008 recommended HD boundary for North Decatur Heights and Section 4, Decatur Heights = 2008 recommended HD boundary for Washington Suburban Homes

Map 24: Bladensburg illustrate the evolution of architectural styles and a block of the new Defense Highway to Annapolis, suburban development in Prince George’s County and only a few squares from the Baltimore- Washington Boulevard.”59 In 1927, members of the intact concentrations of early and mid-twentieth Gasch family platted Section 4 of Decatur Heights.60 centuryin the first houses half ofare the found twentieth in North century. Decatur The Heights most The subdivision is located on the west side of and Washington Suburban Homes. Individually, Edmonston Road, across the street from North these two subdivisions represent distinct, cohesive, Decatur Heights. The subdivision consists of nine lots, slightly larger than the original lots in North intact boundaries. Decatur Heights. These lots were improved by the and unified communities with limited infill and same bungalows that were located in North Decatur In 1925, North Decatur Heights was platted by Heights. All of the one-and-a-half-story bungalows members of the Gasch family.58 The 30 lots of the are virtually identical, with the only variation subdivision were located east of Edmonston Road, appearing to be either a front-gabled dormer or a along what is now Taylor Street. The lots were jerkinhead dormer piercing the roof. Typical of the irregularly shaped and ranged in size. That same style, the houses all have low-pitched, side-gabled year, the parcels were improved by a number of roofs that extend to shelter a full-width porch on Craftsman-style bungalows. Advertised in the The the façade. The porches have rock-faced concrete- Washington Post, the houses were described as block piers topped by Craftsman-style wood posts. “Charming 7 Room and Bath Bungalows At $6,100 The exterior-end chimneys are all constructed of And Several More Equally Delightful 5 Room and rock-faced concrete blocks. The dormers all have Bath Bungalows At $5,700.” The houses were exposed rafter ends and originally contained paired constructed by Gasch & Gasch, Builders with double-hung, wood-sash windows. modern amenities that included water, sewer, gas, and electricity. The modest houses were described as “painstakingly built under the immediate supervision of the owners.” The ad touted the 59 Display Ad, The Washington Post, 10 July 1925. location of the subdivision, convenient to Edmonston Road, the “newly-concreted state highway” and at 60 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, the “terminus of the Bladensburg Bus Line, within Plat Book SDH 3:56.

58 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, Plat Book SDH 3:15.

104 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA Washington Suburban Homes was platted in 1942 by the Graham Development Company.61 The plat consisted of eight blocks that contained approximately 204 lots on the north side of Annapolis Road. Lots were of varying sizes, but averaged 50 feet wide and 100 feet deep on long curvilinear blocks. The lots were improved by modest one-and-a-half-story Colonial Revival-style Cape Cod houses. The wood-frame houses were three bays wide and two bays deep with a central entry. They were topped by a side-gabled roof that was typically pierced by two front-gabled dormers. Many houses were constructed with either a one- story, one-bay porch or a projecting, front-gabled bay on the façade. In 1946, B&G Development Company platted section two of the Washington Suburban Homes subdivision.62 These lots were located northeast of the original subdivision. B&G Development also constructed Cape Cod houses,

Modern Movement. The masonry houses were slightlybut they larger reflected in scale. the influenceThe developer of the continued popular with the consistent lot size and street pattern established by the Graham Development Company in the earlier subdivision. Map 24 illustrates the area surveyed and proposes boundaries for potential historic or conservation districts, should the community decide to pursue one of these options to enhance and safeguard community character.

61 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, Plat Book BB 9:78.

62 Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, Plat Book BB 10:74 and BB 12:22.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 105 106 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS

GOAL OBJECTIVES The Port Towns of Bladensburg, Cottage City, ˆˆ Consider community health and wellness as land Colmar Manor, and Edmonston are developed use policies are developed and implemented. ˆˆ Establish the public infrastructure system so that wellness of its residents. Residents and visitors parks, restaurants, shops, schools, libraries, and toin the a way Port that Towns benefits have access the overall to healthy health foods, and other community resources are conveniently reliable transportation, safe places to walk and located and physically accessible. exercise, entertainment and recreational venues, employment opportunities, and housing options ˆˆ Ensure the transportation network is multimodal that promote healthy choices. and sustainable. ˆˆ BACKGROUND town center. Make quality, affordable housing available in the The Port Towns currently lack the type of compact ˆˆ Encourage local living wage jobs and business development, pedestrian connectivity, variety ownership. of land uses, housing options, recreational opportunities, and environmental enhancements Policy 1: that support the heath and well-being of residents and visitors. County residents have expressed Land uses permitted in the Port Towns will be health care services, a community environment and wellness of the community. developed in a way that benefits the overall health thatthat, fostersbeyond health access and to high-quality disease prevention and affordable should be a priority consideration for land use policies. Strategy: This includes access to healthy foods, reliable ˆˆ Fast food establishments with drive-through transportation, safe places to walk and exercise, windows are not allowed and fast food and employment and housing options that help establishments without drive-through windows individuals to make healthy choices. Notably, the Consumer Health Foundation, the principal private as fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, etc., as their foundation concerned about health access for poor lowestmust providepriced menu healthy items. choice offerings such and vulnerable populations in the Washington metropolitan area, recently conducted a series of Policy 2: community health speakouts, out of which came the concept of wellness opportunity districts. These Since the Port Towns Sector Plan area is a targeted districts would be designated neighborhoods where wellness district, public schools should provide incentives and policies would be provided, consistent an array of activities and choices that promote the with the smart growth philosophy, to support health overall health and wellness of the community. and wellness within the community.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 107 Strategies: ˆˆ Develop a public education and community participation process to ensure involvement in ˆˆ Physical education, art and music curriculums making decisions that impact the health and should be provided as mechanisms to relieve wellness of its members. stress, elevate grades, and develop self esteem. ˆˆ Promote walking and biking by emphasizing ˆˆ Leadership mentoring programs such as the resources for pedestrians and cyclists instead of Port Towns Youth Council should be funded automobiles, including bicycle parking, bicycle and expanded to cultivate a next generation of storage units, benches, tables, and drinking community leaders. fountains. ˆˆ ˆˆ Provide incentives for developers to include vending machines. Healthy food options should be offered in school shower and changing facilities for those who commute to work on bicycles. Policy 3: ˆˆ Encourage car share programs to establish Initiate a health and wellness program for the Port outlets in the town center. Towns Center. ˆˆ Integrate walking and biking into the assessment Strategies of motor vehicle and mass transit transportation policies. ˆˆ Designate the Port Towns Center a wellness opportunity district in which incentives and ˆˆ Develop economic incentives to support a policies would be provided, in a manner similar to Maryland Smart Growth policies, to support employment at livable wages at and around the and encourage health and wellness in the area. towndiverse center. mix of uses, affordable housing, and ˆˆ Undertake a health impact assessment to provide ˆˆ Require that development proposals demonstrate unbiased information about anticipated health their ability to provide a ready access to a variety of community resources, such as grocery stores, activities for the town center area and apply parks, housing, and employment opportunities. thebenefits results and to costsurban ofdesign proposed and transportation development ˆˆ Encourage development that supports a healthy policies. economy that provides a variety of living wage ˆˆ Establish health and wellness objectives and jobs. a set of measures and targets to gauge the ˆˆ Maintain land zoned for light industrial, progress in achieving the objectives. production, and distribution uses in and ˆˆ Make available grants or loans to support the around the town center to provide employment opportunities. health and wellness of the residents. ˆˆ Explore the option of providing density bonuses implementation of initiatives to benefit the ˆˆ Provide incentives for developers to do health impact assessments and provide health and wellness amenities as a part of development for affordable housing in the town center. process.

108 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA FUNDAMENTAL URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

PEDESTRIAN-ORIENTED DESIGN PLACE MAKING Pedestrian-oriented design focuses attention on “Place making” means creating a sense of place. details that create places where people enjoy walking. The proximity of residential and civic/ enjoy living in, visiting, caring for, and protecting. commercial neighborhoods; building placement on PeopleIdentifiable enjoy neighborhoods places with are harmonious those that people views, the lot; completeness and interconnectedness of sidewalks, crosswalks, supplementary paths, public beauty. transportation, and parking facilities; human-scale gathering places, identifiable elements, or natural architecture; and the provision of comfort elements Great places are not sterile environments but are bring people onto the sidewalk and into the shops, lived in, with visible evidence of those who live, libraries, parks, and playgrounds. The increased work, study, and play in the area. Place making consists of gateway features, unique architecture, and reduces the potential for illegitimate uses. views, and focal points, but also requires the human elements that individuals, groups, and businesses pedestrianˆˆ Compact traffic neighborhoods improves encouragebusiness opportunities a healthy and bring to the area through participation in neighborly lifestyle by enabling walking and casual interactions with other residents. Tree-lined following methods will contribute to developing a sensebeautification, of place inevents, the town and center. everyday activities. The amenities welcome and delight pedestrians. ˆ ˆˆ Instreets, mixed-use flower beds, areas, benches, the street fountains, wall formed and other by ˆ Create lively commercial centers through a adjoining buildings creates a sense of enclosure pattern of mixed-use development. Produce a giving users the intuitive understanding of street wall of continuous storefronts with retail, the limits and boundaries of the area within eyesight and increasing their security. onservices, the upper and stories. restaurants on the ground floor ˆˆ Eye-level detail such as stoops, decorative railings, and residential, office, and selected businesses storefront windows, interior and exterior lighting, ˆˆ Use human-scale and context-sensitive design cornices, signs, and banners create a human-scale to encourage pedestrian use and longer visits. architecture that is inviting to pedestrians. ˆˆ Develop safe and attractive public areas to invite ˆˆ a variety of users and contribute to the identity that the street and public spaces have built-in and 24-hour character of town centers and Thesurveillance. presence of windows gives users confidence major corridors. ˆˆ ˆˆ Increase the comfort of pedestrian, bicycle, surroundings invite pedestrians and ensure and public transportation users by providing Sufficientthem that sidewalkthe place width,is cared shade, for and and valued. attractive appropriate amenities such as street furniture, ˆˆ Benches and water fountains give people respite decorative paving, and lighting. and make visitors feel welcome.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 109 CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH entrances and trash cans and locating a library ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED) next to a park to increase the number of people

CPTED focuses on creating safe and comfortable areas use, and feel safe using it (natural surveillance). for residents and visitors that are also unattractive to Specialwho notice programming, the amenity, such find as it convenientarts festivals, to criminals. CPTED recognizes that criminals are adept block parties, farmers markets, and clean-up at assessing risks to their enterprise. CPTED principles days bring people together in parks and streets help design areas that appear risky to criminals for and allow them to get to know each other. illegal activity. The CPTED tenets are territoriality, Legitimate public activity displaces or precludes natural surveillance, activity programming, and illegitimate users and increases both natural access control. These design principles, applied in a surveillance and sense of ownership. comprehensive manner, deter criminals from using public areas for illegitimate activities and increase ˆˆ Access control places commercial and residential everyone else’s comfort and safety. entrances and exits in plain public view, such as on the public sidewalk or from a visually ˆˆ Territoriality has two emphases and is based unobstructed plaza. Multifamily development on the principle that most people will protect entrances are restricted to two options: their own territory and respect the territory of entrances that are controlled by a concierge, or reduction of the number of units per entrance so or fence to clearly delineate the line between residents recognize strangers who do not belong publicothers. areas, The first such emphasis as sidewalks, is using and a low private wall areas and yards associated with residences. the perception that streets provide fast getaway Also important is the maintenance of private routesin the building. and reduce Traffic-calming the number of measures people who change use and public property. Well-maintained, litter adjacent streets as criminal activity centers. These free, and quality landscaped public spaces send changes in design, applied in a comprehensive the message that illegitimate behavior and manner, deter criminals from using public areas activities are not tolerated. for illegitimate activities and increase everyone ˆˆ Natural surveillance is facilitated through design else’s level of comfort and safety. that allows users of public space to feel that other people can view them. Windows, storefronts, ARCHITECTURAL STYLE AREAS entrances, balconies, porches, outdoor activity Existing architectural cues and the type of areas, and benches increase the likelihood that development proposed suggest a number of a neighbor, passerby, or business owner will potential architectural style areas throughout the spot and report criminal activity. In addition, sector area. The following architectural approaches sightlines along sidewalks should be kept are recommended: clear. Tree branches should be limbed up and shrubbery trimmed. Displays and signs should Port Towns Waterfront be cleared away from storefront windows to This waterfront district could take its cue from the allow people inside to see out and those outside multilevel porches and hip or gable-end roof style of to see in. Uniform low-level lighting should be the George Washington House. The design of buildings provided along sidewalks, pathways and service in this area should emphasize windows and porches entrances/areas, parking, and alleys. These facing Annapolis Road and Baltimore Avenue. features allow for oversight of public areas and clear sightlines, make legitimate users feel safer Bladensburg Road Gateway/Main Street and increase the risk to criminals. The mixed-use areas envisioned along Bladensburg ˆˆ Activity programming includes the arrangement Road should both incorporate and respect the of uses through triangulation and programming, architectural character of the early twentieth so that people using the areas in legitimate century bungalow style, including large porches ways protect public space. Examples of such and deep overhangs. In the vicinity of the proposed programming include placing benches near MARC station, architectural character should

110 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA STREET CHARACTER residential areas and the existing early twentieth- All streets in the Port Towns area will function as reflect the bungalow architecture of Cottage City for civic places that are safe, welcoming and encourage pedestrian use. Lightings, furnishing and landscaping century industrial architecture for mixed-use infill. Bladensburg Town Center will contribute to the overall street character. This area lends itself to three architectural sub-areas. ˆˆ The concentration of historic structures south of placed at the build-to-line (see Building Envelope Annapolis Road provides the framework for an Standards)Street boundaries and sidewalks will be that defined extend by buildingsfrom the eighteenth-century historic area that features back of the curb to the build-to-line. All streets continuous arcades at ground level, hip or gable- feature street trees. Along streets with parallel, on- end roofs, dormers, and doors and windows street parking, street trees will be placed at regular consistent with the scale of Bostwick House. intervals adjacent to the street. On streets without

ˆˆ by long, continuous planted bands with trees. New uses of the library and town hall and incorporate on-street parallel parking, street edges are defined The civic core should reflect the civic and public public space in the form of greens, plazas, of street design, as described in detail in the squares, courtyards, and promenades. The Buildingstreets have Envelope been designated Standards. for specific categories associated mixed-use area should emphasize street front retail. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IN ˆˆ Future development to the north and west of the MIXED-USE AREAS town center should reinforce the architectural style Promoting sustainable design in mixed-use of the existing bungalow housing in these areas. areas underscores a central design challenge: traditional approaches to sustainable stormwater Annapolis Road Gateway management have both a suburban orientation and space requirements that would be overly Existing Art Deco/Streamline Moderne architecture intrusive if applied to a denser, more urban, mixed- presents the opportunity for continuation of this use environment. Earlier versions of stormwater architectural style along portions of Annapolis Road. Potential design features include brickwork retention/detentionmanagement focused ponds, on collecting swale systems and filtering and with rooftop patios and/or green roof amenities, expensiverunoff in underground large “end-of-pipe” facilities—techniques facilities, that such as andcompatible a level of with fenestration that of Hilltopconsistent Manor, with flatother roofs Art prove incompatible with more compact and urban Deco/Streamline Moderne buildings in the area. mixed-use areas, where minimal space exists for such facilities. Consequently, the goal of achieving Edmonston Road Main Street sustainable design can potentially run counter The area in the vicinity of the new town center to the principles of pedestrian-oriented design would lend itself to Mediterranean revival and place-making described above by disrupting architecture. Common elements might include tile important urban spaces in order to accommodate roofs and stucco arcades. stormwater management facilities. Fortunately, more recent approaches to stormwater Edmonston–North Workshop The mixed-use neighborhood envisioned in this area These approaches, which focus on collecting and should take its architectural cues from the existing management offer new solutions to this dilemma. early twentieth-century industrial architecture in only reduce the cost and impacts associated with the area as well as from the modern architectural thefiltering “end-of-pipe” water as close approach, to its sourcebut also as possible,complement not character established by recent development in the more urban, mixed-use environments. A variety nearby Hyattsville Arts District. of such approaches exist for both the public realm and private sites, as follows.

Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA 111 Public Realm Private Sites Street tree boxes and other tree planting On private sites, several techniques can lessen, or alternatives—Allowing water to run into street even eliminate, the need for expensive underground tree boxes, as well as into specially-constructed tree root growth zones, is a technique being studied closest to its source. These approaches include: in many urban areas. Water-tolerant trees such as facilities in a way that successfully captures run-off Green roofs—Green roofs range in type from those Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), River Birch that are deep and soil-intensive to the very thin and (Betula nigra) and Red Maple (Acer rubrum) are “extensive.” Green roofs help to absorb and retain particularly well-suited for use in this situation. rain water as well as to insulate buildings. Bio-filters along curb lines—Water caught along Water collection and reuse for irrigation (cisterns)— the curb line of a street can be directed into planted areas at the back or front of a curb along a city street. irrigate planted areas. Water is collected off roofs in cisterns and used to urban streetscapes at the back of curbs and adjacent Pervious paving—A variety of new pervious paving toThese on-street bio-filter parking. “gardens” This can technique be incorporated is especially into products have been developed in recent years. appropriate for urban residential streets, but is For example, unit pavers with built-in separation not recommended for areas of intense pedestrian ridges allow water to move between the pavers and activity, such as commercial main streets. Bio-filtration at ground level internal Bio-filter rain gardens in public parks and into filtration or detention beds. open spaces courtyards in public greens and along parkways is a creative through planted courtyards in urban situations. approach to handling—Incorporating storm water bio-filter in urban “gardens” settings. The structure—Water of the can planted be detained areas can and take filtered on These gardens should be designed without fencing the regular orthogonal shapes typical of urban to accommodate public access and can incorporate places and still be planted with water-loving pedestrian paths, seating and other urban park amenities. Water-loving grasses and perennials can internal courtyards in mixed-use areas; in the provide a rich visual counterpoint to mown lawns vegetation. Bio-filtration is most appropriate for and paved pedestrian zones. While these areas relationship between buildings and public streets must be carefully designed and maintained, they andpublic sidewalks. realm, planted bio-filters could disrupt the can reduce the need for expensive underground into the Chesapeake Bay. storage and reduce the amount of water flowing

112 Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed SMA