Metropolitan
Although the recession derailed JPI Development Services’ original plans to bring new apartments, townhomes and retail to College Park in 2008, the Metropolitan Development Group is ready to break ground on Metropolitan, a mixed-use project a mile from the campus on Route 1, just north of Route 193.
“[JPI] didn’t proceed with construction because they couldn’t find the financing,” said Michael Stiefvater, College Park economic development coordinator. “But in late 2012, Metropolitan Development came into the picture and picked up the project.”
The developer changed the original site plan to “fit the current market scheme,” Stiefvater said. It increased the number of apartments to 238 and decreased the retail space to 4,800 square feet -— now just enough for a coffee shop, dry cleaners and possibly a convenience store. Forty-five town houses will be built instead of 55.
Despite its scaled-down size, the community still means big things for the city, District 1 Councilman Patrick Wojahn said.
“It’ll bring a diversity in housing and new residents that I’m really looking forward to,” Wojahn said. “It shows a thaw in development since the recession that’s really promising. I think it’ll be a really good thing for the community, and I’m looking forward to seeing it come together.”
Metropolitan targets young professionals and families as potential residents instead of students, Stiefvater said. With apartments priced by the unit, not bedroom, he said he hopes the development will attract homeowners who work with the university, government or other local employers.
Metropolitan Development Group could not be reached for comment.
Freshman Eli Tobias said he thinks the development will make College Park feel more like a typical college town.
“I think it has the potential to keep alumni in the area and really promote a college-town atmosphere similar to that of Ann Arbor [Mich.],” said Tobias, an engineering major.
Such an atmosphere has been lacking, with most housing in the area targeted toward students, Stiefvater said. Apartment complexes marketed toward families and other residents who would promote a suburban culture are uncommon, and those that do exist can be pricey.
“There are no real studios in College Park, and these homes are definitely cheaper than other apartments for sale,” Stiefvater said. “The townhomes, for example, are nothing like anything we’ve seen for sale in a while.”
The City Council approved the revamped project in December on conditions that Metropolitan would address civilian and lawmaker concerns over “spillover” parking. In response, the developer created a parking program that is intended to provide residents with SmarTrip cards and access to a bike share, car share and shuttle.
But not all conflicts were resolved, with some students voicing concerns that the influx of new residents so close to the campus will negatively impact student life.
“I guess it’s good for development — just as long as it doesn’t increase the crime rate or traffic,” said junior Ryan Connolly, an accounting and finance major.
Caroline Finnell, a freshman journalism major, said she thinks the property could have been put to better use.
“I wish the space would have been used for off-campus housing for students instead,” Finnell said.
Yu Lin, the manager of nearby China Buffet, has different hopes for the development.
“It’ll raise our business, sure, but the best thing it could do is make the city install a light at that intersection,” Lin said. “Without anything to monitor traffic, it can get quite hectic.”
Stiefvater confirmed that installation of a traffic light is “being worked out” among the city, developers and state highway administration.
