Elected officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and community activists converged in central Prince George’s County, Maryland, on Oct. 29 to formally launch the Blue Line Corridor Coalition (BLCC), a locally based partnership committed to advancing transit-oriented development, fair access and sustained growth along Metro’s Blue Line stations in the area.
“We are here to rehearse the future,” said Bryan Franklin, the deputy director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), to the gathering of 30 people at Mini Plaza shopping center in Seat Pleasant. “At the core of the coalition is the vision to create a thriving Blue Line Corridor where history and culture fuels progress, and those who call these neighborhoods home share in its growth. We’re collectively rehearsing a future where vacant lots turn into new homes, a six-lane highway turns into a walkable boulevard and where empty storefronts transform into places where memories are made. The BLCC is built on five years of community engagement, over $6 billion of investments, and a LISC model to generate a 4:1 return on investment.”
The Corridor extends along Metro’s Blue/Silver Line and along Central Avenue. Metro stations, east to west, consist of Downtown Largo, Morgan Boulevard, Addison Road-Seat Pleasant and Capitol Heights and the neighborhoods surrounding them comprise the Corridor.
The announcement comes as more county and state attention is paid to central Prince George’s County, an area many residents and leaders feel has been economically neglected as opposed to east of the Capital Beltway communities, the northern part of the county and National Harbor.
However, the state of Maryland through the administration of Gov. Wes Moore (D) and the support of former County Executive and present U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D) has targeted $400 million for the Corridor.
Alsobrooks’ colleague, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D), did not attend the event but made it clear that he supports the BLCC and the economic growth of the Corridor.
“The Blue Line Corridor is full of potential–and the people who live and work here should be the ones shaping its future,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “The creation of this new coalition marks an important step toward ensuring that the critical development underway is shaped by the community and is centered around shared economic opportunity and local entrepreneurs who reflect the diversity and strength of Prince George’s County. I look forward to continuing to work with our state and local partners to drive further investment in this work and make this shared vision a reality.”
Leaders Emphasize the Importance of Coalition and Its Work
One of the speakers for the event was Maryland Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24), who serves as the majority leader of his chamber. Lewis has been a passionate supporter of the Corridor project and said he will continue his advocacy in Annapolis.
“When leaders lock arms, there is little we can’t do,” he said, looking around the room. “Two of my ex-colleagues, Melony Griffith and Ben Barnes, played a role in helping the Blue Line Corridor and they should be recognized. They don’t live in the Blue Line Corridor, but they are an example that we love our entire county (no matter where we live).”
Lewis said he will work to see that the corridor stays on track and gets more money for the coalition. Krystal Oriadha, who represents a lot of the neighborhoods in the area as a County Council member, said she will do her part also.
“A lot of work for this project came from a lot of people,” she said.
She pointed out that areas such as those in Capitol Heights and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant have not gotten the attention their eastern neighborhoods have, and that has to change.
“For far too long, our side of the corridor has been ignored,” Oriadha, a resident of Seat Pleasant, said, also noting that she has secured $250 million for the coalition to do its work. “I want to thank County Executive Aisha Braveboy for her commitment to this project. We have $400 million, everyone is watching to see what we do.”
In addition, Victor Burrola, an executive with Wells Fargo, donated $170,000 to the coalition and Tonia Wellons, president of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, also spoke during the launch and pledged her support.
Kyle Reeder, co-founder of The Capital Market – a community development organization in Capitol Heights – said the inauguration of the coalition “is not just a launch but an alignment.” He pointed out the importance of food to the corridor saying that many neighborhoods don’t have full-service grocery stores.
“Food is the heart of community development, a powerful entry point into broader conversations about public health, environmental sustainability, transportation, economic growth, affordable housing and cultural heritage,” Reeder said. “The launch of the Blue Line Corridor Coalition marks a moment of alignment, of people, purpose and possibility. Leaders, residents, entrepreneurs, artists, are bringing their fight to one shared vision for the corridor. Together, we choose to make this corridor work for the people who have long held it together.”