Headen Spring Development LLC has issued an Invitation for Expression of Interest for the envisioned mixed-use development near the planned Kenilworth Ave/Riverdale Rd Purple Line station. A full description of the project is available here.
The project, as proposed, will include 290 units of affordable and market-rate housing. Headen Spring is an important opportunity in the context of PLCC’s goal to ensure no net loss of affordable housing along the Purple Line corridor and we are excited to see the development moving forward.
Additional information about the site and invitation process are included in the attached document. Submissions are requested by February 25, 2021. Prospective applicants are encouraged to email Lisa Butler McDougal or Simone Griffin with questions.
The Purple Line Corridor Coalition is excited to announce the newest addition to our team, Vonnette Harris, who joins as Housing Development Coordinator.
Vonnette will be responsible for identifying properties for affordable housing development and working with coalition partners to move those properties through the pipeline. “I look forward to assisting the HAAT in helping to push housing projects forward that benefit Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties’ most vulnerable populations,” she writes.
Vonnette has worked in the development of affordable housing for more than sixteen years. With experience in site selection and acquisition, feasibility, market analysis, financing, project and construction management, community engagement, and more, Vonnette will be a major asset to the PLCC in its mission to ensure no net loss in affordable housing along the corridor. Her work has included the creation of a new large scattered-site development, the construction of mid-rise developments for seniors and families, and the adaptive reuse of several historic structures into multifamily housing.
In addition to her skill and expertise, Vonnette brings personal commitment and dedication to the role of Housing Development Coordinator.
“Addressing housing inequality is one of my passions,” writes Vonnette. “I firmly believe that quality housing should be a fundamental right in this country and not a privilege.”
The Housing Development Coordinator position is made possible by the generous support of the Center for Community Investment and Kaiser Permanente through Accelerating Investments in Healthy Communities.
PLCC held a successful annual meeting on November 17, 2020, with over 130 people in attendance. We heard from elected officials, local residents and business owners, nonprofit service providers and more about how we can continue working together to make the Purple Line a place of equity and opportunity after an incredibly challenging year.
We left the meeting energized and optimistic about what we can make happen in 2021.
00:00:12 – Welcome remarks from Maryland State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins
00:03:15 — Welcome remarks from Prince George’s County Councilmember Deni Taveras
00:07:18 – Purple Line: Where are we? Where are we headed? Gerrit Knaap, Director, National Center for Smart Growth and Co-chair, PLCC Steering Committee; Sheila Somashekhar, PLCC Director
00:22:37 – Remarks from Isaías Portillo, Resident of the corridor and grassroots activist
00:26:52 – Panel: Forging ahead in challenging times: action along the corridor. Panelists included:
– Marla Bilonick, Executive Director and CEO, Latino Economic Development Corporation
– Jorge Benitez-Perez, Organizer, CASA
– Pat Parker, Executive Director, Central Kenilworth Revitalization Corporation
– Lisa Butler McDougal, President, Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development, Inc. (SEED)
– Moderator: David Bowers, Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partners
01:09:45 – Remarks, Lene Tsegaye, owner of Kefa Café
1:19 – Key Elements of National Center for Smart Growth’s FTA/MTA grant and breakout discussion takeaways
1:38 – Closing remarks from Prince George’s County Council Member Dannielle Glaros
