Some Residents Gather to Show Support of Cafritz, Whole Foods Development

A group of residents from Calvert Hills, University Park and Riverdale Park are gathering to show their support of a

Cynthia Finley, of Calvert Hills in College Park, has drafted a letter in support of the project that would bring retail and at least 900 housing units to a 38-acre property off Baltimore Avenue in Riverdale Park.

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"I went to the presentation in University Park and saw the people there seemed against the project," she said. "They were organized, had passed out fliers and came early and took all the numbers to speak."

After monitoring the discussions on her listserv, Finley decided there were others in support of the as well, so she decided to draft a letter of support.

Now she is looking for residents to sign the letter, although she has about 75 supporters already.

Finley said although they are in support of the project, they'd like the developers to cooperate with residents to build something that residents will use.

"I think everyone in support would like to see a Whole Foods there," she said, but she wants the developers to consider infrastructure changes like the traffic lane designations and traffic lights for Route 1.

"There's a lot of concern about stormwater runoff, too," Finley said, adding that to a list of items developers should address.

As for the residential part of the development, or phase 2 of the project that has currently been left undefined, she said the area is in need of a variety of living options.

"It's hard to know what will be there," Finley said, "but single-family homes are not the most sustainable way to live, especially near this highly transportation-oriented area."

Personally, Finley doesn't currently shop at Whole Foods, but said she would if it were walkable from her home, but she said as a group many of the letter's supporter have said they drive to Silver Spring to shop at the store.

To learn more about the letter or to sign the letter in support, please send your name and street address to Finley at cynthia.a.finley@gmail.com.

A copy of the letter is attached to this post.