Sidewalks Meeting At Pointer Ridge

South Bowie Residents (Especially those in Pointer Ridge, Tall Oaks Crossing, Ashleigh Station, Devonshire):

You should have recently received a Project Newsletter in the mail from the SHA that publicizes a meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, at Pointer Ridge Elementary to share details regarding the concept development of a project to install sidewalks and make all related improvements along Hall Road between Hall Station Drive and Central Avenue (see attachment). Residents can view maps and project displays beginning at7:00; the state's presentation will begin at 7:30.

According to the Project Newsletter: 

The project is funded for concept development only. During this phase, SHA quantifies impacts on the roadway and adjacent properties before moving forward with the development of preliminary design plans. Final concepts for this project should be completed by spring 2016. ... SHA representatives will be available at the meeting to answer project-related questions.

For those of us who have an interest in a more walkable community and gaining safe pedestrian and bike access to the South Bowie Library  and Hall Station shops, this is an IMPORTANT meeting -- who knows, citizen support could make a difference!! PLEASE plan to attend and bring your questions for the SHA officials!

This article indicates that "Dense, walkable suburbs with an urban feel" will be hot spots next year and beyond!

Regardless of where you live in South Bowie, if this project is completed, it will improve the quality and value of our community . Please support this project by attending this meeting!

CASB Nov.12, 2015 Meeting Minutes

Mitchellville Road Sidewalks on the Agenda

At the Bowie City Council Meeting, Monday evening at 8 p.m. at City Hall, the city's Department of Planning and Economic Development will review its findings and recommendations for sidewalk improvements along several sections of Mitchellville Road. The final Inventory and Evaluation Report is found below. Residents will have an opportunity to comment on the issue and the report at the meeting tomorrow night.

This report deals with an issue that has been raised at previous CASB meetings! Those of you (and your neighbors, etc.) with a vested interest in the issue are encouraged to attend the meeting and speak if you so choose.

Sincerely,

Duff Durkin
President
Community Association of South Bowie

Mitchellville Road Sidewalks Report

CASB Sept. 10, 2015 Meeting Minutes 

CASB board members present: Duff Durkin (president and meeting moderator), Steve Lord (treasurer), Patrice Murray (secretary), Norman Constantine (at-large). Not present: Terry Rogers (vice president) The meeting was called to order the Pointer Ridge Elementary School at 7:05 p.m. In addition to the Board members, residents signed in on the attached form, including local leaders Mayor Fred Robinson and City Council members Ike Trouth and Dennis Brady. Staff from Maryland state delegate Joseph Vallario’s office also attended.

Board Updates
• CASB has discussed holding general meetings every other month instead of every month.
• Next meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 12th
• By the next meeting, by laws for the CASB will be completed
• The board will be asking for dues in the coming months, likely at the next meeting

SHA Study on Devonwood Drive & Hall Road
• At previous meetings, concerns were expressed about the lack of visibility, speeding and overall safety concerns at this intersection
• SHA (state) officials who conducted the study acknowledged the poor visibility but said there were no improvements that could be made because wall at the northeast corner of the intersection cannot be moved.
• They will make striping improvements on Hall Road at that corner

Mitchellville Road Improvements
• Members of the county’s Public Works Dept. attended the July meeting and stated they would check into the sinkhole and drainage issues as soon as possible.
• The very next day after the meeting (July 10) work crews were out on Mitchellville and addressing the sinkhole problem.
• A new drainage system was installed and the problem seems to be fixed
• Also on the CVS side of the road the drainage issue was addressed
• There were new questions about sidewalk installation along Mitchellville Road. It was reported that Hifazat Ahmad, County Department of Public Works, is addressing that issue
• The crosswalk at Mitchellville Rd. @ Mount Oak Rd. will be addressed by WSSC, which will fix the road when the gas line work is completed
• Traffic light issue at Mitchellville & Mount Oak - still seems to be a problem. Follow up needed.
• Traffic light issue at Mitchellville & Excalibur – there should be a study done. No study was going to be scheduled until school reopened.
• Residents expressed continued concerns with potholes on Mitchellville.

Pointer Ridge Plaza Update
• Duff provided updates on Pointer Ridge Plaza, including that the board met with Jim Farrell, Rappaport Company Executive Director of Leasing and Brokerage, in early August. Board members had an extensive conversation with Jim and he shared the attempts that he had made to various businesses and addressed a number of the board’s questions.
• Dollar Tree has signed a lease for the former CVS space once had. They should open within the next 4-6 weeks.
• A beauty supply store has rented another space in the plaza next to Subway
• Rappaport has reached out to grocery stores, however with the approval of a Super Walmart at Mill Branch Crossing, no deals have been made
• There was discussion about possible options: a bowling alley or roller skating rink; offsite campus spaces for Bowie State University or University of Maryland; ethnic shops

Update on Central Avenue
• Will be patched by winter; paving by next year. Hall Road improvements are planned for Spring 2016.

Activities Updates
• – Duff discussed the Speed Awareness Day we had on Friday, July 10th.
• Residents came out and held signs advocating safe driving in the community.
• The City Police Department gave warnings and tickets that day.

Citizen concerns and questions
• There was an extensive discussion about schools and community values. Improving the schools would improve the ability to attack stores to the plaza.

Action Items
• The group requested an invitation be extended to the Principal of Pointer Ridge Elementary School for the next meeting
• Education focus at the next meeting
• When is the city scheduling curb repairs?
• Timing of traffic lights on Route 301 between Central Ave. and 197
• Issues with traffic backups on Route 301 Southbound, north of 50

Announcements
• Improvements to the Hall Road train crossing are included in the FY 16 budget Repairs to the Central Avenue (Route 214) are scheduled for FY17

Meeting minutes submitted by Patrice Murray and Duff Durkin

CASB July 9, 2015 Meeting Minutes 

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CASB Board Members Present:

Norman Constantine, Duff Durkin, Stephen Lord, Patrice Murray, Terry Rogers

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The meeting was called to order at the City of Bowie Town Hall​. In addition to the Board members, residents signed in on a form, including local political leaders County Council Member Todd Turner; Mayor Fred Robinson, and City Council members Ike Trouth and Dennis Brady.:

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County Representatives from the Department of Public Works​- Guests in attendance from the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works included Linda Skelton, Kate Mazzara and Hifazat Ahmad, who addressed concerns that had been conveyed to them via both Duff Durkin and Ike Trouth. Several road concerns were discussed. There was a promise to review and respond on the new issues. Additionally, several items were mentioned by attendees that were not in the jurisdiction of Prince George’s County, yet the group promised to forward the concerns to their counterparts on the State Level. The representatives encouraged residents to use the county’s 311 system, either via phone or online, to report concerns. Mr. Ahmad said that there is a pavement management system that the county uses to track reported problems.

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• Multiple residents expressed a concern about a sinkhole that had formed on Mitchellville Road near the entrance to CVS. Mr. Ahmad said the problem would be addressed ASAP, and a steel plate was placed over the area on Friday, July 10.
• A resident mentioned that in the original plan for the redesign of Mitchellville Road for the new CVS included a dedicated left turn lane and one is not outlined on the road now.
• A resident asked about the possibility of improving the crosswalk at the intersection of Pittsfield Lane and Mitchellville Road. The public works officials said the matter would be reviewed.
• Councilman Trouth asked if a request had been entered to improve the sidewalk at the intersection of Mount Oak Road and Peach Walker Drive. Mr. Ahmad said there was no record of one.

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Issue Updates

• Update on Central Avenue​​– Will be patched by winter; paving by next year. Hall Road improvements are planned for Spring 2016.
• Pointer Ridge Shopping Center strategy​– No new updates. Board plans to meet with representatives from the Rappaport before the next general CASB meeting. ➢ Announcements​– An announcement was made regarding the Speed Awareness Day planned for Friday, July 10 th . Residents were encouraged to come out and assist the City Police Department by holding signs advocating safe driving in the community. The groups would be gathering at Pittsfield and Pointer Ridge at 6:​00 AM until 8:00 AM and then again between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
• UPDATE: ​The Speed Awareness Day was a success, with more than 20 warnings and three tickets given out, according to Bowie City Police. There were a limited amount of area residents who came out to support the event. The CASB will consider holding more Speed Awareness Days in the future as needed.
• Citizen concerns and questions ​– Mitchellville Road pooling at Route 301.
• Devonwood & Hall Road – State will place counters on the number of cars. And will look into extending the medium on Central Avenue.
• Questions about a dedicated left-hand turn on Mitchellville into CVS.
• Crosswalk at Mitchellville at Pittsville Lane-currently dangerous to cross.
• Sidewalk at Peach Walker Drive and Mount Oak.
• Excalibur at Mitchellville need a study on traffic signals options (should be done in the fall.) Light at Central Ave. and Jennings Mill
• Councilman Trouth said the Hall Road railroad crossing will get a gate. Route 301 will be widened from Route 50 to Excalibur, but the project is not funded. The city has asked that the widening project go down to Central Avenue. Also requesting synchronized lights on 301. The zoning for the Amber Ridge property has been changed to allow for a number of townhouses to be built.
• County Councilman Todd Turner ​was in attendance and addressed a number of issues, including the following: o He has made appeals to county and state transportation officials about local road conditions. He said it was a bottom-up process to get projects done. o He said parts of Route 301 would be repaved between Excalibur and the Route 50 interchange. o He said he would check on the left turn lane that was supposed to be in the CVS plan for Mitchellville Road. o He heard concerns regarding the proposed development at Amber Ridge and whether or not a traffic light would be put in place to allow cars exiting Amber Ridge to go north on Route 301. Mr. Turner said the light could be put back in the plans. o He said concerns about traffic resulting from the proposed Mill Branch Wal-Mart would be addressed as those plans move forward.

Other Mentions​

• Duff shared some research on grocery stores that he had done and put forth Graul’s Market and Redner’s Warehouse Markets as possible tenants in Pointer Ridge Shopping Center.
• A resident suggested asking about Glory Days and whether or not it wants to stay in Bowie after being forced to close at Bowie Marketplace.
• Another resident suggested trying to bring a Dollar General and another Aldi’s to PRSC.

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The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Patrice Murray and Duff Durkin

CASB June 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes

CASB June 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes

Opening 7:05 PM

Meeting facilitator: Duff Durkin 

Duff reported on his inquiry from SHA on repairs to route 214.  Duff was told the projects were slated for 2017 and 2018. The Bowie City Staff Report dated May 7, 2015 is included below, which has a different time line: Hall Road and MD 214 Railroad CrossingsBowie City Staff attended a meeting with SHA and CSX this week about these crossings. 

SHA update on Hall Road:·   Hall Road is currently a signalized crossing, without gates. The plan at this location is to add the gates and improve the visibility of the signals by extending the signals on cross arms over the center of the road.

This will require replacing all existing poles, signals, and the control equipment. It also will require relocation of communication and power lines. The surface of the crossing itself will also be replaced. The work is fairly extensive. SHA anticipates a five-day road closure will be required to complete the work.

SHA has initiated plans to provide a sidewalk along the northern side of Hall Road to allow safe pedestrian traffic to the intersection at 214. That project is currently not funded, only in planning stages. 

SHA update on MD 214:·   The 214 railroad crossing surface is currently in poor condition. The road surfaces have subsided creating a poor driving surface over the crossing. The 214 railroad crossing is currently a signalized crossing with gates. The gates, which drop down from the outside of the roadway, do not reach across the entire pavement, allowing motorists to maneuver around the gate (an extremely dangerous act).·   The plan at this location is to replace the existing gates, and add gates that drop from the island. This way, the gates will cover the entire paved surface.·   The surface of the crossing itself will also be replaced.·   The work is also extensive. SHA anticipates a five-day road closure will be required to complete the work; the closure however may be only one direction at a time.

• While SHA hoped to have this work completed in summer 2015, the CSX staff members estimated that the work would most likely occur in spring 2016.

  One resident commented on the potholes at the curve on Mitchellville Road (which have been brought up at previous CASB meetings). Mayor Robinson responded that Mitchellville Road is a county road and is not serviced by the city. Another resident asked how we can get a schedule of county roads to be resurfaced. Duff said he would look into that and try to obtain one. Another resident asked if the city would consider doing a study at the intersection of Nottinghill Drive and Mt. Oak Road since there is so much traffic in that area. Delegate Marvin Holmes and a representative from Delegate Joe Vallario’s office were present at the meeting.  Delegate Holmes addressed the residents.  

Update on Amber Ridge parcelDuff addressed the recent developments with the proposed legislation out of the county council that would lift the county’s restriction on the percentage of townhouses that can be a part of a new development. City officials present at the meeting indicated that it appears likely the county council would vote favorably for the townhouse cap would be lifted, clearing the way for the Amber Ridge property to be developed with a number of townhouses in addition to the pad sites. Councilman Brady encouraged residents to be vocal and make their voices heard as plans are made public for development of the Amber Ridge parcel. A resident expressed that she had asked to speak at a council meeting regarding the traffic pattern that would be put in place with development at Amber Ridge. Other residents shared thoughts about the Amber Ridge development. Councilman Trouth addressed the need for a left turning light coming from Amber Ridge for safety reasons.  It was stated that the County Council Member Todd Turner and chair Mel Franklin support a measure to remove the 20% restriction on townhomes in MXT zoning.  Amber Ridge is in MXT zone and there was discussion of a potential developer to build town homes at Amber Ridge. Evelyn J. Archie was present to represent County Council Member, Todd M. Turner. 

Update on Widening of Route 301Councilman Brady discussed SHA’s plans to widen route 301. Please see below a motion that was made to modify SHA’s letter at the City of Bowie Council Meeting. Councilmember Brady made a modification to the letter to include verbiage to extend a third lane all the way to Central Avenue. Councilmember Brady made a motion to approve the letter as modified. Mayor Pro Tem Trouth seconded the motion and it passed unanimously by the Bowie City Council.  

Update on Wal-Mart at Mill BranchThe County Council approved the Wal-Mart project 8-1.  Final action for approval with conditions by the County Council is due on June 22, 2015.  There were questions about the New Wal-Mart’s impact on Bowie Town Center, Amber Ridge and Pointer Ridge but no recommendations.  A resident shared the concern that a new Wal-Mart at Mill Branch would increase traffic on Excalibur Road as well. The resident shared the concern that there is already an issue with cars traveling west on Excalibur approaching Mitchellville Road. That intersection becomes congested with cars trying to turn left onto Mitchellville as they try to use Mitchellville to avoid traffic on Route 301 South. 

Residents’ Input:It was stated that more publicity was needed to get more members to attend CASB meetings It was suggested to invite Gary Rappaport to CASB meetings for updates on Pointer Ridge Shopping Center and the Amber Ridge Project. Duff will get together with Sgt. Henderson from the Bowie City PD to set up a Speed Awareness Day.  The suggested location is on Pointer Ridge Drive because of the heavy traffic. A resident suggested having a sign at Pointer Ridge and Philmont to indicated turning on Pittsfield to get to Mitchellville Road.  The resident said many drivers attempt to turn into Philmont before correcting  and she is afraid of an accident. 

Board of Directors Elections:There were five names presented of residents interested in serving on the CASB Board of Directors.  The names were:Norman Constantine, Duff Durkin, Stephen Lord, Patrice Murray and Terry Rogers.  It was moved and second to close the nominations on the five names.  The motion passed. Councilman Brady shared that there should be a September announcement for the city’s new recreation center. 

Meeting ended at 8:46 PM Respectfully Submitted, Councilman Isaac C. Trouth III, Ph.D. and Duff Durkin, CASB President 

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