Riverdale Councilman Wants Cafritz To Be An Arts District

Three of Riverdale Park's councilmen met June 21 outdoors with the backdrop of Riversdale Mansion to discuss the town's economic development.

The main topic of discussion was the proposed development of the Cafritz Property on the northern most point of town off Baltimore Avenue. Councilman Jonathan Ebbeler (Ward 1) proposed that the town ask the Cafritz developers to create an arts district there.

The 38.5-acre wooded property could become the home of the first in Prince George's County, other small businesses and more than 900 housing units, if the owner is able to get the property's zoning changed.

Currently, the land is zoned only as a residential property where about 220 single-family homes could be built. However, developers would like to change the zoning to something that allows them to have both commercial and residential units, with a Metro-oriented design.

Ebbeler said although right now the biggest draw seems to be the proposed Whole Foods, he hopes if the property is developed it can be another cultural center for town — something that an arts district would encourage.

It would continue the arts district already in Mt. Rainier and developing in Hyattsville, he said, creating a place not only local residents could enjoy, but that could draw people with artistic interests to town.

The interest in arts is something both property owner Jane Cafritz and residents share, Ebbeler added.

The project could help revitalize town, he said, similar to what happened in historic Frederick, Md. — where runner-up Brian Voltaggio opened Volt restaurant, which now brings out crowds.

Councilman Alan Thompson (Ward 2) said that Hyattsville used zoning similar to Riverdale Park's Mixed-Used Town Center (MUTC) and asked for specific variances to make it an arts district. Thompson added that with MUTC zoning, the developers could still get the density they want. But Councilman David Lingua (Ward 3) pointed out that MUTC may make the developer's timeline longer.

Chip Reed, attorney for Jane Cafritz, said Monday that he's not against the arts district idea — but that it couldn't be done with the plan they want. Reed said their property doesn't connect with the arts district sector plan.

"With the [Transit] District Overlay Zone, council can attach or achieve the transit district requirements or conditions," Reed said, noting that the municipalities' issues with traffic on Route 1 could be addressed and a crossing at the railroad tracks would be needed.

The biggest concern for the council and for the Cafritz presentation was the lack of plans for phase 2, the part of the plan that designates the amount of housing units. Residents are concerned that if the zoning is changed, they won't be able to control what's built there.

But that's why Ebbeler said Riverdale Park's Economic Development Committee wants mixed-used town center zoning because then the developers would be subject to their approval each step of the way.

Reed said he hopes the housing development on Cafritz can be as nice or nicer than the development in Hyattsville's arts district.

"I think they are doing a great job with the townhomes and multi-family," Reed said. "Even as good of a site that it is down there, we’ve got the two existing transit stations and from a transit-oriented standpoint, this is a far better location."

What do you think about Cafritz becoming an arts district?