June 2019 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 1

HONORING A HERO

Read about the unique way CrossFit Hyattsville honored a fallen vet. P. 2

ARMORY APT. UPDATE

A local development project is moving ahead. See the update in the Briefs. P. 3

New city council sworn in

Departing councilmembers honored

SECONDHAND NEWS

Columnist Lauren Flynn Kelly reveals what’s happening with vintage and upcycled retail. P. 7

Life&Times

Vol. 16 No. 6

Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper

June 2019

By Krissi Humbard

The May 20 city council meeting marked the changing of the guard: Three newly elected councilmembers were sworn in, as well as three incumbents who were re-elected, and the council bid farewell to two outgoing members. Shani Warner and Tom Wright sat their final meeting as members of the council. Warner had served eight years representing COUNCIL continued on page 13

Council ruling puts Werrlein in the zone By Heather Wright

Werrlein Properties is one step closer toward breaking ground on its Magruder Pointe project. On May 13, Prince George’s County District Council voted, in a unanimous decision (8-0, with one abstention), to approve with conditions the rezoning of the former Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) property in a manner that would allow Werrlein’s Magruder Pointe proposal to build both detached single-family homes and town houses to move forward. WSSC continued on page 10

KRISSI HUMBARD / COURTESY OF THE HYATTSVILLE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES TASK FORCE

During the June 3 public hearing, Educational Facilities Task Force Chair Dan Broder underscored the pressing need for new facilities, citing the “appalling and shameful” conditions at Hyattsville Middle School, including overcrowding, mold, insufficient ventilation and unsatisfactory restroom conditions.

Isn’t middle school hard enough already? What is the future of Hyattsville Middle School? Magruder parkland is one option By Emily Strab and Krissi Humbard

On the evening of June 3, Hyattsville City Council held a public hearing about the future site of Hyattsville Middle School (HMS). The city’s Educational Facilities Task Force (EFTF) presented their research and findings. The meeting was attended by more than 30 residents, 10 of whom voiced

their concerns during the public comment period. Mayor Candace Hollingsworth announced, “There is not a decision to be made by council this evening, but the purpose of this meeting was to kickstart our community and public engagement process, as we are aware there is the potential for a decision at some point in the near future.”

Addressing the perceived haste of the project, City Administrator Tracy Douglas said, “This process was greatly accelerated due to the possibility to get the P3 [public-private partnership] dollars or alternate construction financing, and their [Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS)’s] intent is to get a HMS continued on page 12

CENTER SECTION: JUNE 11, 2019 ISSUE OF THE HYATTSVILE REPORTER — IN ESPANOL TOO! HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383

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