The Mount Rainier City Council has decided which developer will get a crack at two city-owned properties on Rhode Island Avenue. Check out City Councilmember Brent Bolin's blog for details.

Voting resources

ELECTION PROTECTION 2012

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Doyle Niemann's election choices

Election Choices

The 2012 General Election is only a few days away. Here's my take on our choices.

Candidates

There is not much to say about the choices.  President Obama, Sen. Ben Cardin, and Rep. Donna Edwards have their flaws, but they are far better than the other choices.

One competitive race for School Board in District 4 is worth mentioning. It pits Micah Watson against incumbent Pat Eubanks. I believe Micah's experience as a municipal official and civil servant and his deliberate and balanced temperment make him the better choice at a time when critical decisions must be made--including the choice of a new superintendent and senior staff.

For judges, the five current judges face no opposition.

State Ballot Questions

Questions 1 and 2 will require judges of the Orphans Court, which handles estate and probate issues, to be lawyers in Prince George's and Baltimore Counties. This is a no brainer. These judges handle complex legal issues; they should be trained in the law they administer. The judges in our county are now lawyers, but that has not always been the case.  I am voting YES.

Question 3 will remove an elected official as soon as they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty in a trial. This is an issue close to our county, where we have had officials who have been convicted or plead guilty who have remained in office for months.  I am voting YES.

Question 4 (the "Dream Act") will ensure that anyone who graduates from one of our high schools, registers for the draft, and pays taxes can attend community college and, if they complete 60 hours of credit, transfer to a four-year state college while paying in-state tuition. It affects young students without legal documents. Education is always a good investment. Regardless of what happens with these students, they will be in a better position to make positive contributions and our society will benefit from it down the road. It also grants veterans in-state status. I am voting YES.

Question 5 will affirm the boundaries of congressional districts as drawn by the governor last year. At least one district is pretty absurd on its face, weaving around the state like some kind of deranged snake. On the other hand, all but two of our congressional districts are now more competitive and that will ensure better constituent service and more responsiveness to local concerns no matter who is elected. That is a good thing. A No vote is also unlikely to result in much more than minor change. As far as I am concerned, it is a toss-up.

Question 6 is a fundamental issue of fairness and justice for my family and myself. It will give loving couples the right to marry and enjoy all the benefits and obligations of civil marriage. It affects thousands of couples and their children who now lack critical rights and protections. They are friends and neighbors. There are abundant protections in the law for those who object on religious grounds. It is time. I am voting YES and will be working at the polls for Question 6. Let me know if you want to do the same.

Question 7 will expand casino gambling in Maryland. It is has been the subject of almost $100 million in ads, mailers and lobbying, most of which is unreliable or misleading. When you separate out that which is already law, the rhetoric, made up facts and half-truths, it comes down to a simple choice. Vote yes and the county might get an additional $16 million a year after 2017 (using nonpartisan Legislative Services numbers) and the state will get an additional $39.5 million a year that might be used for education. These are small amounts, however, in a county budget of $2.6 billion and a state education budget of $5.8 billion. On the other hand, casino owners will get $435 million and the families of those who gamble will lose an additional $500 million. I do not think this is a good deal. The impact on our economy and on the lives of people isn't worth the pitiful amount that will come to the county and state. I will vote NO.

Local Ballot Questions

There are seven local ballot issues.  Questions A and B make changes in the procedure for drawing County Council districts after each Census and in the way multi-year contracts are awarded. No one has raised any issues with these, as far as I know.  I will vote YES.

Questions C-G are bond issues. By law, they must pass if the county is to upgrade or construct libraries, community college buildings, police and fire stations and new public buildings, as well as to improve roads, bridges and make other transportation improvements.  I will vote YES.


Every election is important, but the array of issues in this year's election -- from the choice of President on down through the various ballot issues -- present some fundamental choices. Whatever your feelings about the issues or candidates, it is important to vote and to make yourself part of the process.

The polls will be open Tuesday from 7:00 in the mornign to 8:00 in the evening. If you haven't voted already, make sure you show up.

If you have additional questions about any of these matters, feel free to let me know by email at doyle@doyleniemann.com or by calling me directly at 240-606-1298.

Doyle

Delegate Doyle Niemann
Maryland House of Delegates, District 47
doyle@doyleniemann.com

Public hearing today for Rhode Island Ave. development

Mount Rainier will hold a public hearing on the three proposals for development of a part of Rhode Island Ave. today at 7 p.m. at 1 Municipal Place Mount Rainier, MD 20712.

An article in the Gazette describes the three proposals briefly. My representative in the City Council, Jimmy Tarlau, provided a detailed memo from the Council Liaisons for Development to his constituents, which I will paste below. I will try to make it look good. Please excuse any formatting issues.

The mayor and council will vote on the proposals after the hearing.

 

MEMORANDUM

TO:                 MAYOR AND COUNCIL & MOUNT RAINIER RESIDENTS

FROM:           Council Liaisons for Development –

Ivy R. Thompson, Ward 2

            Brent C. Bolin, Ward 2

DATE:                        August 7, 2012

SUBJECT:      Recommendation to Council for City Issued RFP for Development of Rhode Island Avenue and Eastern Avenue

BACKGROUND

Council Liaisons for Development      

After the 2011 elections, committee assignments were revised and Ward 2 Councilmembers Ivy Thompson and Brent Bolin were designated by colleagues to serve as the development committee of the council. Mayor Miles and Councilmember Thompson previously served as the leads for this committee.

Request for Proposals

The City Council voted to reissue the Request for Proposals (RFP) and to hire the Holman Group to facilitate the reissuance of the RFP for the development of the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue. The criteria for submissions and the timelines for review were established within the RFP, which required that the City respond to the developers within a 45-day timeframe.

The City of Mount Rainier received three (3) proposals in response to the RFP issued for the development of the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712.  All of the proposals were received (hand delivered) prior to the 4:00pm deadline on May 30, 2012.  The responders were as follows in order of receipt:

·                     STREETSENSE – BETHESDA, MARYLAND

·                     DR. JAMAL FADUL MED-PED, LLC, COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND

·                     AHC, INC., BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Per consultation with the city’s development consultant, Mr. Kwasi Holman, on May 31, 2012, the following schedule was proposed as a next step action schedule:

Ø    May 31, 2012 – June 13, 2012, Proposals  reviewed by council liaisons for development Brent Bolin and Ivy Thompson, City Manager Jeannelle Wallace, Assistant City Manager Michael Jackson and Development Consultant Kwasi Holman .  Interview questions submitted for developers. .  . 

Ø    June 14-15, 2012 – Council liaisons, staff and Mr. Holman met with each responder on June 14, 2012 and June 15, 2012 (2 hour interviews) allowing the responders to answer questions and clarify financing options and scheduled payments to the city.

Ø    June 18, 2012- Council liaisons, staff and Mr. Holman met to discuss Assessment based on criteria provided in RFP announcement.

Ø    June 19, 2012 – Special Executive Session of the Mayor and Council to discuss/review recommendations of the council liaisons for development. Liaisons make recommendation to council in closed executive session. Council authorizes development liaisons to conduct further conversations.

Ø    July 10, 2012 – Special Executive Session of the Mayor and Council to discuss short list recommendations of the council liaisons for development; Additional financial info requested of all three developers. Council decides to extend the deadline for the city to respond to developers concerning proposal submission to August 15, 2012.

Ø    August 8, 2012 – Public Hearing concerning proposal submissions; council liaisons make recommendation to Mayor and Council and residents for development; summary of proposals provided by council liaisons for development.

Ø    August 9, 2012 – Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council concerning the RFP submissions for Rhode Island Avenue development.

Ø    August 15, 2012 – Notify respondents of City Council decision.

This process delineated was an aggressive time frame due to the MML Conference scheduled June 24-27, 2012. The Mayor and Council added an additional 30 days, after the July 10, 2012, Executive Session Meeting, due to the complexity of the financing of the City property. (The city purchased these properties with tax-exempt municipal bonds, significantly complicating potential financing options. The city subsequently asked each developer to consider purchasing the land up front to avoid legal technicalities.)

EVALUATION:

The three proposals were reviewed by council liaisons for development Ivy R. Thompson and Brent C. Bolin, City Manager Jeannelle Wallace, Assistant City Manager Michael Jackson, and Development Consultant Kwasi Holman and scored based upon the evaluation criteria as cited in the RFP.  The proposals were evaluated using the following criteria:

v  40% Design:   Strength of the Site Plan and Design based on aesthetic appeal, perceived ability to promote additional quality development

v  40% Ability to Implement Project:    This element of consideration evaluates the developer’s ability to complete the project as promised. It includes:

o   Strength of the letter from a financial institution indicating willingness to finance project

o   Proof of equity by the developer.

o   Experience of the developer in financing, implementing and constructing projects of similar size and scope.

o   Marketing plan

v  10% Land Price

v  10% Use of Sustainable and/or Environmentally Responsible (Green) Construction Standards and Products

v  Inclusion of Minority, Women and/or Local owned Businesses will be a consideration in the evaluation process but it is not a requirement

Evaluation Criteria	Streetsense	Med-Ped	AHC
Design	Contemporary look.  Incorporates property not owned by city. No retail tenant commitments, Structured parking was a plus, though primarily dedicated to residential.	Has that medical office building look. Green elements are a plus. Major additional parking need a serious concern. Will project have spillover effects?	Design is central to their process. Strong plan to seek community input. Universal design concept. Strong LEED commitment. All parking on site, though variance needed.
Ability to Implement	Good financials, experienced team. Hyattsville retail project experience. Requested $7 million gap financing.	Strong financials, experienced team No previous projects completed.	Very strong financials, experienced team Dozens of similar projects financed and completed.
Land Price	Proposed city donate land.	Offered $500,000 up front, the rest paid over time including from proposed EDI funds.	Offered 10% of the land value up front, the rest paid over time by AHC.
Sustainability/Green	Yes at least LEED Silver	Yes, LEED Silver or Gold	Yes, LEED Gold or ideally Platinum
Inclusion	Yes	Yes	Yes

Each of the proposals referenced the Mixed Use Town Center Plan and included elements highlighting the site as a “gateway”.

RECOMMENDATION

Therefore, based upon the evaluation criteria and additional financial information obtained from each of the organizations the Development Committee recommends that the City Council vote to contract with AHC, Inc. to purchase and develop the 3200 Block of Rhode Island Avenue.

Proposal  Highlights In Order Of Receipt:

STREETSENSE – BETHESDA, MARYLAND

Proposes a 5-story mixed-use urban infill development. Ground floor retail space – proposes retail,  restaurants, small café. Above the ground level retail would be four levels of loft style residential apartments. This project incorporates the entire block in development, including properties not owned by the city and therefore outside the scope of the RFP.The proposal did not include letters of commitment from adjoining property owners.  The architecture will have a contemporary styling that is reflective of the loft industrial look. The historic gas station would be repurposed for a small neighborhood retail use.

210 Residential Units; market rate rents:

            21 efficiencies, 700 sf, $1300/month

            105 1-bedroom, 850 sf, $1513/month

            84 2-bedroom, 1000 sf, 1825/month

Parking: structured 2-3 levels, 210 spaces residential- fee based, limited retail and visitor parking

Retail: 18,225 s. f.

Open space: interior pocket park and interior courtyard, public sidewalks

Green Elements/Sustainability: green roofs, dark-sky lighting, recycled materials

Public Art: interior and exterior public art

Target market: 20’s -30’s with incomes of $50,000 - $100,000

Comments: Weak financial proposal to the city – asked for city to donate the land, includes payment to L.S. adjacent property owner, and also identified the need for $7 million of gap financing. The revised financial offer indicates Street Sense is “prepared to retire the debt in full upon closing on the property” A proposed date for closing was not given, but per the proposal the estimate for closing to occur is in 2015. The proposal contemplates developing the entire 3200 block, including land not owned by the city and therefore outside the scope of the RFP. Street Sense indicated that they have had discussions with the owner of Thrifty Truck Rental, but did not supply a letter of commitment. Proposal also contemplates purchase and demolition of owner occupied homes on Eastern Ave, again, without letters of commitment or contact with the current property owners.

DR. JAMAL FADUL, MED-PED, LLC, COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND

Proposes a four story, steel frame, 44,000 s.f. Health Care Center, retail pharmacy and restaurant, office and a 24 hour Urgent Care facility. Each floor will be about 11,000 s.f.. The development proposal stayed within the scope of the RFP and included city owned property only. The first level will be dedicated to retail uses with the second and third floors comprising the medical center and the fourth floor dedicated to general or doctor’s offices. The Proposed Health Center:

Specialty Medical – 12,000

            General storage & technology – 1,000

Multi-purpose Office & other – 4,000

Urgent Care – 4,000 s.f.

Retail & Office – 23, 000 s.f.

Parking: 50 spaces on site, will need to work with City to address significant additional parking need

Green elements/Sustainability: LEED certified, solar generator and panels, rainwater cistern

Public Arts: incorporates artistic elements into design

Target Market: Services for patients within 1- 5(average 3) mile radius and households with incomes of $50,000 -$67,000

Comments: Offered $500,000 down payment to the city, with the rest of the land price to be repaid over time or as county funds developed. Due to the tax-exempt bond issue this proposal would not work. Med-Ped has requested the city’s help to find several hundred additional parking spaces to meet their customer volume; the city has serious doubts about its ability to find those spaces and/or prevent negative effects on residential parking on the city.

AHC, INC., BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Proposes a four story, L-shaped building approximately 58,000 sf, residential development. The proposal is limited to the RFP City owned property. The development proposes 62 residential units that are accessible or readily adaptable. 10 units are to be fully equipped for use by the physically disables and 2 units will be equipped for sight and hearing disabled residents. Offers traditional and opens space floor plans, workforce housing:

42 1-bedroom, 672 sf, $1008/month

            20 2-bedroom, 962 sf, 1210/month

Parking provided (residential): 46 spaces, L-shaped parking loop in rear

Retail/Office: TBD – none proposed

Green Elements/Sustainability: LEED requirements, materials, construction and quality requirements, green roof

Landscaping of public spaces, incorporates green amenity roof, interior and exterior art, community spaces on each floor

Target market: workforce households with incomes $38,000-64,500 for 1-4 person households

Comments: Initial financial offer was for 10% down payment on land with the rest paid back in installments over the 15-year life of the tax credit financing arrangement. When presented with the tax-exempt bond issue and the city’s need to divest the properties, AHC worked to meet the city’s needs . AHC now proposes to pay 10% down in fall 2012 and complete purchase of the properties by March 2013 for the full value of the city’s bonds. Other concerns include making sure the marketing plan distinguishes this workforce housing from the significant number of low-income housing units already existing in Mount Rainier. AHC proposes to contain all parking on site, but will require a parking reduction departure from the county.

Restaurants? Health clinic? Affordable housing?

Which developer will the Mount Rainier City Council choose? Read the Gazette article here.

From the Heart Community Health Fair 2012 | Praise 104.1

From the Heart Community Health Fair 2012 | Praise 104.1

From the Heart Community Health Fair 2012
“Reaching 1 person at a time, Changing 1 life at time, from our heart to yours”
Garden of Gethsemane Church Presents 

From the Heart Community Health Fair 2012
FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS: BLOOD PRESSURE, GLAUCOMA, DIABETES, EXERCISE CLASSES, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, VETERANS SERVICES.
Fun for all, free give-a-ways and much more…….
Saturday July 21st, 2012 10am-4pm 3501 Bunker Hill Road Mount Rainier, MD 20712
Contact:angelgainesrn@msn.com (301) 832-2667

Hooray for Joe's!

NEA Awards Joe’s Movement Emporium $50,000 Our Town Grant

Mount Rainier and Gateway Arts District Emerge Through Art Lives Here Campaign

      Joe’s Movement Emporium has been awarded $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help enliven the Mount Rainier town center and promote the Gateway Arts District. Through Art Lives Here, an 18-month campaign, partners in the project will engage citizens through participatory public arts projects, pair artists with businesses and create pop-up installations, lease blighted commercial spaces and establish a Downtown Arts Season. The NEA is investing almost $5 million in small towns and arts organizations across the country to support creative placemaking. Joe’s is one of 80 selected among 300 applicants.

     “I am thrilled to have the support from the NEA’s Our Town grant because it reaffirms how special the creative community is in Mount Rainier and the Gateway Arts District,” said Brooke Kidd, Executive Director and Founder of Joe’s. “This project [Art Lives Here] will continue to build on our community programming, support business-artist partnerships, and bring visibility to the wonderful artists and programs that we have here.”   

     Through Our Town, the NEA supports creative placemaking projects that help transform communities into lively and sustainable places with the arts at their core. The grantee projects are designed to improve quality of life, encourage creative activity, create community identity and a sense of place, and help revitalize local economies. 

     Mount Rainier is considered by many to be the cultural heart of the Gateway Arts District and through several initiatives community leaders have improved and increased its profile in recent years. “People who experience Mount Rainier tend to fall in love with the neighborhood,” said Michelle Darden Lee, spokesperson for the project. “Our charge now is to serve as a bridge between the numerous creative efforts already established in the community and present that to the rest of the beltway area and beyond.”
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Joe’s Movement Emporium is the community performing arts center of World Arts Focus, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1992. The mission is to promote participation and practice in dance, movement, and performing arts traditions from around the world while using the arts as a key tool to revitalize community. Founded in 1992, World Arts Focus provides educational and cultural programs incorporating dance, movement and performing arts traditions from around the world. For more information call (301) 699-1819 or visit joesmovement.org.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.