Open House Looks to Breathe New Life into Town Center

The long-vacant Douglas Development-owned properties in the Riverdale Park Town Center could be vacant no more, if Thursday’s open house is any indicator of interest in the space.

More than 75 people attended open house, including business owners, local residents and public officials. The event was organized by the developer and local and county officials to draw new businesses to Riverdale Park. The space was only just recently improved by Douglas, making rental of the property a possibility for the first time in years.

Business owners expressing interest in the 16,715 square feet of space included stylists, restaurants, a frozen yogurt franchise, a furniture restoration specialist and therapists, said Barbara Richman of the Michael Company. The Michael Company will be leasing the property on behalf of Douglas.

The Town Center, said Richman, is very appealing to businesses.

“It’s right at the Marc and it’s very, very walkable, a really pedestrian friendly place,” she said.

The town and county have taken a special interest in the project. Douglas Development has teamed up with the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County, County Councilman Eric Olson’s Office, the Town of Riverdale Park and the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation to offer a contest that awards the winner with the best business plan and presentation 877 square feet of space at below market rent. The winner also be eligible for business development fudning from the county.

“This is a great example of a public-private partnership,” said Jeff Ludwig of the Michael Company.

Riverdale Park Councilman Jonathan Ebbeler (Ward 1) agreed with Ludwig.

“All the right people have eyes on this project,” Ebbeler said.

Local business owner Michael Arnold, who also owns property at the Town Center, was pleased with the event and with the prospect of having neighbors.

“It’s very difficult for me to rent retail space without these spaces being filled,” Arnold said, referring to the Douglas properties at the corner of Queensbury and Rhode Island Avenue.

Arnold—who lives in University Park and has been a business owner in Riverdale Park since 2007—also has about 1,000 square feet of fully finished space available for rent in the Town Center.

Mayor Vernon Archer was optimistic about the event and the future of the Town Center, saying that after so many years, this is a good time and place to move forward.

“I’m glad to be part of a continuing program to market the area. This was a great first event,” Archer said.

According to Richman, the Douglas space will rent from $14 dollars a square foot to $18.50 a square foot, and they are hoping for about ten tenants. They are leasing now and hope the space will be ready to occupy in the late summer to early fall.

One business, a Bikram yoga studio, has already signed a lease in the Town Center for 4,700 square feet of space.