Market Study Suggested For Area Retail, Services

At University Park's Mayor and Council Meeting Monday night, Stuart Eisenberg, executive director of the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation, asked the council for financial support on a region-wide market study.

"The scope of the study would look at market demand for the Route 1 corridor," Eisenberg said. "What can this market bear? What is the leakage in this market area."

He said the study would also show what residents spend their money on, where they spend it and how much they spend.

Eisenberg is hoping to get support from four municipalities — Hyattsville, University Park, College Park and Riverdale Park. He even suggested that the Cafritz Company chip in as developers looking to build in the region.

"We want to look at demand and demand capacity along route 1 corridor," Eisenberg said, to the council and audience Monday night.

The discussion about the market study was on the agenda as an introduction, but was brought up earlier, while residents spoke to council about their thoughts on the Cafritz development.

Eisenberg is asking each group to contribute $5,000 to pay and independent analyst firm.

The idea was presented to Hyattsville's city council and mayor last week, during their discussion of the Cafritz property, according to Hyattsville Patch.

“The process is moving forward a little quicker than anyone thought,” Hyattsville Mayor Marc Tartaro said of the . “This is something that affects all of us.”

Riverdale Park Town Administrator Sara Imhulse was present at University Park's council meeting and said the mayor has been approached with the plan, but council members have not been seen it yet.

University Park's council, however, decided to table the discussion until their Sept. 12 meeting, so council could have time to read the proposal.