Everyone wants a safe, pleasant, welcoming space to call home and to spend time with friends and neighbors. And when we’ve put time, money, and energy into something important, we want it to be successful – to grow – to return on our investment. That is as much true for a renter, a homeowner, or a business.
The 4200 block of Bladensburg Rd has needed development. So much unoccupied space has left it open for misuse. Some residents are frequently found loitering and drinking near the convenience store as well as on the Newark side of the old carwash, sometimes so inebriated or high they cannot walk. They leave trash, and are frequently seen urinating next to the buildings.
The property owner's proposed gas station/carwash/carryout restaurant would be new, but it would not be an improvement, for several reasons.
- It would not remove the loiterers - especially if alcohol continues to be sold.
- Gas pumps are not healthy, due to the fumes and potential leaks.
- Current county code does not permit gas pumps so close to existing homes, and the lot space is too small to simply rearrange them.
- It would be just another commercial space, with no welcoming characteristic unique to our community.
- We doubt that it is in the owner’s best interest, since it would be competing with several nearby gas stations and restaurants.
Surely there could be something better for all concerned!
Residents of Colmar Manor who would be directly impacted have met and compiled many ideas of improvements for the space. Among the most popular were new housing such as townhomes and affordable housing, and community-enhancing spaces like a coffee shop. Creation of a mixed-use space with businesses on the first floor facing Bladensburg Road seems quite possible. The nearest, and similar in size, is the Studio 3807 Apartments on 38th and Rhode Island Ave. A little further up is the much larger EYA development in Hyattsville which has done very well, with property values continuing to climb. Our Colmar Manor property is now zoned as a Neighborhood Activity Center, and such a development is entirely within the scope of such zoning.
We the undersigned respectfully request that our City and County Council members avoid the police tower and negotiate with the owner and other stakeholders to genuinely and with good faith find a better way to improve and beautify our community, while still creating a profitable addition to the town that everyone can be proud of.
Updates
August 9, 2022
I am truly overwhelmed by the response to this idea. It was never my intention to lead anything, yet you all have turned this into a real conversation about our neighborhood. This momentum belongs entirely to the people who care about our future.
15 Comments
I DO NOWT need a Combination of a gas station/ car wash directly in front of my door. By law any gas pipelines must be 500 feet minimum away from any residential area. I will petition against this to the extreme. I have been in my home for 40 years and 87 years old, and certainly I do not need to worry about gas leaks or anything else of that nature to impact my health.
I HIGHLY OPPOSE the building of a gas station in place of the old carwash at the 4200 block of Bladensburg Rd. As a resident who lives directly across the street and experiences daily groups of drunks loitering and indecent exposure, the building of this gas station/convenient store will only heighten the amounts of individuals hanging out, drinking, urinating, and drug trafficking. On top of the additional unwanted traffic, there are countless inhumane hazards associated with putting a gas station in such close proximity to a neighborhood with active residents; especially seniors and small children, who's HEALTH will be at a much greater risk with the fumes constantly being exhausted into the air.
NO GAS STATION
For years I have been afraid of the loiterers that torment my neighborhood. The fear I have coming home by myself is unparalleled. When I’m away at school, I worry how my ailing mother has to deal with their obscene behavior, outbursts, etc. I believe that building a gas station would encourage this behavior 1000%. Not only would a new establishment of this nature be outrageously unnecessarily as there are approximately four or more gas stations in our area (most less than a mile off of main roadways), I worry that the gas station would also pose as a danger to the children of Colmar Manor whose bus stops would still be right at the corner. Overall this idea is absurd and I worry about the potential health / safety (air, water, toxins, pollution, chemicals, other exposure) risks that may be the result if this development comes to fruition.
I oppose the proposed development.
Thank you
No gas station
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Everyone wants a safe, pleasant, welcoming space to call home and to spend time with friends and neighbors. And when we’ve put time, money, and energy into something important, we want it to be successful – to grow – to return on our investment. That is as much true for a renter, a homeowner, or a business.
The 4200 block of Bladensburg Rd has needed development. So much unoccupied space has left it open for misuse. Some residents are frequently found loitering and drinking near the convenience store as well as on the Newark side of the old carwash, sometimes so inebriated or high they cannot walk. They leave trash, and are frequently seen urinating next to the buildings.
The property owner's proposed gas station/carwash/carryout restaurant would be new, but it would not be an improvement, for several reasons.
- It would not remove the loiterers - especially if alcohol continues to be sold.
- Gas pumps are not healthy, due to the fumes and potential leaks.
- Current county code does not permit gas pumps so close to existing homes, and the lot space is too small to simply rearrange them.
- It would be just another commercial space, with no welcoming characteristic unique to our community.
- We doubt that it is in the owner’s best interest, since it would be competing with several nearby gas stations and restaurants.
Surely there could be something better for all concerned!
Residents of Colmar Manor who would be directly impacted have met and compiled many ideas of improvements for the space. Among the most popular were new housing such as townhomes and affordable housing, and community-enhancing spaces like a coffee shop. Creation of a mixed-use space with businesses on the first floor facing Bladensburg Road seems quite possible. The nearest, and similar in size, is the Studio 3807 Apartments on 38th and Rhode Island Ave. A little further up is the much larger EYA development in Hyattsville which has done very well, with property values continuing to climb. Our Colmar Manor property is now zoned as a Neighborhood Activity Center, and such a development is entirely within the scope of such zoning.
We the undersigned respectfully request that our City and County Council members avoid the police tower and negotiate with the owner and other stakeholders to genuinely and with good faith find a better way to improve and beautify our community, while still creating a profitable addition to the town that everyone can be proud of.
Updates
August 9, 2022
I am truly overwhelmed by the response to this idea. It was never my intention to lead anything, yet you all have turned this into a real conversation about our neighborhood. This momentum belongs entirely to the people who care about our future.
15 Comments
I favor new housing and/or mixed-use, similar to what Brentwood's done around 38th and Rhode Island. No gas station, no industrial, and please not another car repair shop or dialysis center. Our town needs more residents and denser development!
I DO NOWT need a Combination of a gas station/ car wash directly in front of my door. By law any gas pipelines must be 500 feet minimum away from any residential area. I will petition against this to the extreme. I have been in my home for 40 years and 87 years old, and certainly I do not need to worry about gas leaks or anything else of that nature to impact my health.
I HIGHLY OPPOSE the building of a gas station in place of the old carwash at the 4200 block of Bladensburg Rd. As a resident who lives directly across the street and experiences daily groups of drunks loitering and indecent exposure, the building of this gas station/convenient store will only heighten the amounts of individuals hanging out, drinking, urinating, and drug trafficking. On top of the additional unwanted traffic, there are countless inhumane hazards associated with putting a gas station in such close proximity to a neighborhood with active residents; especially seniors and small children, who's HEALTH will be at a much greater risk with the fumes constantly being exhausted into the air.
NO GAS STATION
For years I have been afraid of the loiterers that torment my neighborhood. The fear I have coming home by myself is unparalleled. When I’m away at school, I worry how my ailing mother has to deal with their obscene behavior, outbursts, etc. I believe that building a gas station would encourage this behavior 1000%. Not only would a new establishment of this nature be outrageously unnecessarily as there are approximately four or more gas stations in our area (most less than a mile off of main roadways), I worry that the gas station would also pose as a danger to the children of Colmar Manor whose bus stops would still be right at the corner. Overall this idea is absurd and I worry about the potential health / safety (air, water, toxins, pollution, chemicals, other exposure) risks that may be the result if this development comes to fruition.
I oppose the proposed development.
Thank you
No gas station
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I favor new housing and/or mixed-use, similar to what Brentwood's done around 38th and Rhode Island. No gas station, no industrial, and please not another car repair shop or dialysis center. Our town needs more residents and denser development!