City officials faced with replacing two city council members in a special election this year said the names of several residents that council members would like to see run have been privately discussed, but only one potential candidate would confirm considering a run yesterday.
Old Town Civic Association President Stephanie Stullich said she had considered running for Councilman Eric Olson’s seat, which is opening after Olson won the Democratic nomination to a spot on the county council Tuesday night.
“I’ve been thinking about running, but it’s been less than 24 hours,” Stullich said yesterday. “He’s a very tough act to follow, it’s a tremendous gain for the county and a loss for the city. Someone has to step forward who’s very committed to the city.”
Stullich, an amateur College Park historian, has a strong voice during city council meetings. In the past, she has been concerned with preserving the historic parts of the city as well as keeping College Park family-friendly. She has championed families’ concerns and resented the encroachment of landlords.
Although council members declined to identify any other city residents whose names have been mentioned privately, District 3 Councilman Andy Fellows said candidates often step forward or are recruited from civic associations.
“There is a lot of leadership in both districts,” Fellows said. “One of the good things about this city is that there is no shortage of residents to pick from.”
The primary wins of Olson and District 4 Councilwoman Joseline Peña-Melnyk, while not a surprise to city officials, has raised the question of how and when to hold the special election, said District 1 Councilman Dave Milligan.
“The difficult thing is we have two people here in two districts,” Milligan said. “A lot of details need to be worked out. I don’t think any of this is written in stone.”
City officials were far more open about discussing benefits the city could reap with expanded representation at the state and county levels, saying many issues that have long been ignored by state and local officials could finally be addressed.
“One of the greatest challenges that we’ve been working on over the years is how to make state government listen to the city as we work with the university to improve Route 1 transit and other issues that affect the quality of life in College Park,” District 1 Councilman John Krouse said.
The election of four College Park residents – former regent Jim Rosapepe and Ben Barnes are also headed to Annapolis but do not have city council experience – is highly unusual, and no council members could recall the last time there was such strong influence in higher offices.
But the change also comes at an unique time for city issues: plans for the redevelopment of Route 1 have been in the pipe for two years, and the vision for future development is more cohesive than in recent memory. Additionally, a recent task force of Environmental Protection Agency-appointed experts recently surveyed the city and issued a report suggesting redevelopment ideas based on smart-growth principles.
As a result of that plan, the city set aside $75,000 in this year’s budget for the development of a form-based code – rules that guide developers in designing projects and, if followed, would lead to rapid city approval. The city itself has also taken on a developer role, buying two city houses to create a parking garage downtown, and voting to explore moving City Hall to make room for redevelopment.
But the city has encountered difficulties in securing funding for larger-scale projects, such as the $110 million Route 1 redevelopment project, and had difficulty getting serious consideration from legislators who vote on transportation projects in Annapolis.
That could change with a majority-College Park representation in the House of Delegates and state Senate, however.
“I think it’s a new era for College Park,” Fellows said. “The election of Peña-Melnyk and Olson doesn’t change the dynamics of the issues, but it allows them to work with the issues a little better.”
At last night’s council meeting, District 2 Councilman Jack Perry seemed less than enthusiastic about the affect Olson’s and Peña-Melnyk’s nominations will have on the city.
“Once they take the oath of office, they will do what the office requires,” Perry said in an interview. “Remember, they are just one of how many in Annapolis and how many in Upper Marlboro?”
Contact reporter Steven Overly at overlydbk@gmail.com. Contact reporter Owen Praskievicz at praskieviczdbk@gmail.com.
