Business displacement is an appropriate price to pay for diversity and new customers, said Vera Akinboboye, owner of Sophisticat Gallery.
Three years ago, when Akinboboye first heard about the purple line, she wondered how it would affect her. Then, Akinboboye received a notice in the mail. Sophisticat Gallery would be torn down for the Purple Line
Akinboboye admits she didn’t initially welcome the notice.
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“I was worried about losing customers,” she said.
But now Akinboboye is optimistic about her business and Riverdale.
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“A metro line will bring new customers and more business,” said Akinboboye. “We need different people to come live here not just Latinos.”
Sophisticat gallery sells traditional African garments and accessories that don't appeal to Latinos, said Akinboboye. And Latinos comprise 50 percent of the town's population, according to 2010 U.S. Census figures.
“I’ll find new customers, and the improvements in Riverdale will help the children,” said Akinboboye. “I’m excited to see the improvements in Riverdale. I’ve seen PG Plaza, Bowie Town Center, and Rhode Island improve—and if they do that in Riverdale it will bring more people to the area.”
In Hyattsville, Md. across from the Mall at Prince George’s—which is commonly referred to as PG Plaza— a movie theater and restaurants were added a few years ago, said Akinboboye.
More people commuting through Riverdale, however, may lead to more noise in the community, said Maria Del Carmen Luna, 70, of Riverdale.
“My neighborhood is quiet and calm,” said Del Carmen Luna. “The metro is noisy.”
Although Del Carmen Luna is afraid Riverdale will become a crowded and noisy city, she looks forward to visit family members by riding the Purple Line.
For Jaleli Lencho, 21, of Riverdale, Md., the new metro line will not impact any of her commutes. Lencho said the Purple Line does not stop anywhere she would need to go.
“I won’t be using the Purple Line, but hopefully it is useful to other people,” said Lencho.
Construction on the Purple Line is slated for 2015.