Hyattsville and Partners Celebrate Economic Development Week with Three Events

The City of Hyattsville will showcase several successful development projects in recognition of Maryland Economic Development Week. A schedule of events open to the media follows.

“The City of Hyattsville is committed to economic development and has prioritized partnerships and investment that elevate our community’s built environment,” said Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth. “The City’s investment in our commercial façade improvement program, bicycle and trail infrastructure, adaptive reuse with arts and residential anchors, and support of transit-oriented development form the core of the City’s economic development strategy.”

Economic Development Week Events Open to the Media:

Tuesday, October 24, 2:30 PM: Streetcar 82, 4824 Rhode Island Avenue

Streetcar 82 Brewing Company, a Belgian-inspired brewery and one of Hyattsville’s newest businesses, is proud to be founded by three hearing-impaired home brewers. City resident Mark Burke, along with Jon Cetrano and Sam Costner, are excited to now own and operate their brewery together. “We are working around the clock to get the space ready, and hope to be open for tours and sampling by February 2018,” said Burke. The building Streetcar 82 will call home received a $15,000 Commercial Façade Improvement grant from the City in 2015, essentially giving the exterior a face lift that included window and door replacement, painting, stucco work, and the installation of new lighting.

Thursday, October 26, 11:00 AM: The Arcade at 4318 Gallatin Street

Located in the heart of the gateway Arts District, 4318 Gallatin Street has had a rich history since its construction in 1890. In 2015, the City entered a partnership with Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center to finish the buildout and then lease the building. An arts non-profit that provides studio space for individual artists with a focus on printmaking, papermaking, and bookbinding, Pyramid Atlantic will have the option to purchase the building at the end of its 25-year lease. “We are thrilled to be in Hyattsville,” said Pyramid Atlantic Executive Director Kate Taylor Davis. “The City and the neighbors have been extremely supportive. We are excited to be part of the growing creative community here and hope to both elevate the quality of life for the residents and add to Hyattsville’s ‘destination’ lure.” Two other non-profits currently have offices in the building: Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA) and the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC). The City and Pyramid Atlantic received Preservation Maryland’s Community Choice Award earlier in 2017 for the renovation and reuse of the arcade building.

Thursday, October 26, 2:30 PM: Metro II at UTC, 6505 East-West Highway

In early 2018, The Bernstein Companies will move forward with the adaptive reuse of the Metro II office building located in University Town Center, retrofitting the building for 311 apartment units. “We recognize the opportunity to invest in transit-oriented development, having acquired Metro I and been a partner in the Safeway Development. We believe in the residential market in Hyattsville and are proud be a part of its economic growth,” said Anoop Dave of the Bernstein Companies. The historic exterior façade will be preserved while the interior is updated with new amenities such as a library, fitness center, conference rooms, underground parking, and bike storage. The City has encouraged this innovative reuse as part of a strategy for Transit-Oriented Development. Mixed-use developments like this allow residents to work, play, eat, and live within walking distance of public transportation, which is known to reduce traffic and reliance on cars, in addition to improving public health and the overall quality of life.

Maryland Economic Development Week, Oct. 22-28, is organized by the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). By participating in the event this year, the City aims to highlight joint efforts made by the City and many businesses to bring more people, jobs, and capital into the community. In addition to the on-site press events listed above, the City will recognize additional development projects throughout the week on its social media.