By Brian Freedman
Staff writer
A 200-unit, luxury high-rise condominium building will soon spring up near the recently completed University View apartments, but the $250,000 average price tag per unit is not intended to attract university students.
Northgate, pioneered by the Mark Vogel Companies, is targeted toward university faculty and administrative personnel and professionals working in federal buildings in College Park, said company president and university alumnus Mark Vogel.
Proponents of Northgate believe the new housing will cut commuter traffic on Route 1 and improve the city of College Park.
“If faculty members live near the campus, congestion will be reduced, which will result in a better Route 1 and overall a better city environment,” said Brian Darmody, former chairman and current member of the City-University Partnership, a group of university members and city officials dedicated to redeveloping the city.
The College Park City Council, however, voted down preliminary Northgate plans because of concerns about difficult building access and traffic congestion additional residents may cause, said City Planning Director Terry Schum.
The council’s hesitation stems partially from the required traffic study submitted by the Mark Vogel Companies. The results suggested the condominiums would increase traffic in the city, but Vogel argued against the council’s interpretation of the results.
“Most of the backup starts at New Hampshire Avenue, but now the commuters will be closer to the university,” Vogel said. “A lot of people don’t need their cars and can walk to the university.”
The council’s veto will ultimately fall on deaf ears because the authority to decline such a proposal lies in the hands of the Prince George’s County planning board, which gave Vogel the thumbs-up.
Vogel is currently working on a detailed site plan, the second phase of the preliminary building process, which he believes will be ready to submit to the county planning board in a few months. Barring any setbacks, he predicts construction will begin this summer.
Initially, the company intended to build on the land currently occupied by Taco Bell, but due to unplanned expenses and obstacles, the company acquired a smaller piece of real estate at 8340 Baltimore Ave., Vogel said.
District 2 Councilman Jack Perry is concerned that construction will be difficult because the property lies on a flood plain.
“It is going to be a yeoman’s task because of the flood plain, but I wish him luck,” said Perry. “Prince George’s County is ready for these condominiums; it will change the ramshackle mess of traffic currently on Route 1.”
Potential buyers are concerned about the lack of parking, but Vogel said an above-ground parking garage will provide sufficient parking space for every resident.
In the future, the Mark Vogel Companies plans to buy Jerry’s Sub Shop and build a high-class hotel to provide an upscale alternative for university visitors.
