Riverdale Park Council Moves to Support Purple Line

The Riverdale Park mayor and council voted unanimously Monday to send a letter to the Maryland State Legislature in support of the continued funding and eventual construction of the Purple Line in and around Riverdale Park.

Mayor Vernon Archer said the Purple Line could provide important public transit opportunities for the eastern part of Riverdale Park, where two stations are proposed. 

"Providing another mass transit alternative to the M Square area is all the more important as that continues to grow and develop,” he added. 

A total of three stations are proposed in the vacinity of Riverdale Park—the Riverdale Park Station at Kenilworth Avenue and Route 410, the Beacon Heights Station at Riverdale Road and Route 410, and the M Square Station. 

The letter, to be drafted by Town Administrator Sara Imhulse, supports the construction of the Purple Line, but also expresses concern over the provision of funding from the state legislature that, if not met, could halt the project from moving forward.

“We've got our opportunity right now," Archer said. "We’re trying to keep some pressure on the governor and legislature because if we lose our spot on the money it's going to be many years before we’re going to get an opportunity to do it again,” said Archer.