Cafritz (Whole Foods) Project in Riverdale Park (College Park: college, designer)

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by Barry Rock

Whole Foods is so overrated.....expensive to boot. They need to build up Metro sites with residences and office, not retail. IMO, and certainly not small shops, its that Highest and Best Use concept.....also, who is going to shop via Metro?

Their prices are quite high, but I have yet to see a Giant, Safeway, Shoppers, or any other store besides Wegmans match Whole Foods' butcher section and the prepared hot and cold food sections. The hot food section is a nice alternative to eating out. The food is actually quite tasty. Other than that, I can go to MOM or Safeway for most of what I want.

As far as location, I do think UTC would be a great alternative to the Cafritz site. Safeway was supposed to build there anyway. You have a great mixed-use town center across the street from the metro that could use a shot in the arm from a popular upscale grocer.

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by Barry Rock

Whole Foods is so overrated.....expensive to boot. They need to build up Metro sites with residences and office, not retail. IMO, and certainly not small shops, its that Highest and Best Use concept.....also, who is going to shop via Metro?

Right because they need to build the Upscale Retail Malls near the Beltway and Rebuild a Larger more Upscale Landover Mall........

[North Beach Person]

A story about the "sample" letters of support submitted by Cafritz as evidence.

Letters submitted by developer’s attorney cause discord in Prince George’s - The Washington Post

[Mr Beco]

I'd rather see Costco in Wheaton than Whole Foods in Riverdale. Love Whole Foods, don't love walking out of the store $100 poorer

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by $mk8795

Right because they need to build the Upscale Retail Malls near the Beltway and Rebuild a Larger more Upscale Landover Mall........

Landover Mall was never a success for different reasons. Malls are done, Main Streets are the rage.

I just think smaller retail shops won't work at Metro stops, you need people, therefore big apartment buildings.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by Barry Rock

Landover Mall was never a success for different reasons. Malls are done, Main Streets are the rage.

I just think smaller retail shops won't work at Metro stops, you need people, therefore big apartment buildings.

Even with big apartment buildings, retail is not guaranteed to succeed. Case in point, Prince George's Plaza Metro. There are luxury apartments a few hundred feet from the entrance and the retail has struggled. Especially at UTC just across the street where you have student apartments and luxury condos. It really depends on the players (developers and retail management companies) involved. Arts District Hyattsville is a success and it's more than a mile from the metro. Go figure.

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Even with big apartment buildings, retail is not guaranteed to succeed. Case in point, Prince George's Plaza Metro. There are luxury apartments a few hundred feet from the entrance and the retail has struggled. Especially at UTC just across the street where you have student apartments and luxury condos. It really depends on the players (developers and retail management companies) involved. Arts District Hyattsville is a success and it's more than a mile from the metro. Go figure.

yeah, that part of town never made it big. Not sure why, they have a huge govt agency there. It may catch up one day however, if College Park ever gets it act together and renovates Route 1, PG Plaza won't be able to compete.

[adelphi_sky]

Looks like the Cafritz developers switched to more competent management teams. They have hired the lead attorney from the ARTS District Hyattsville project. This is good news as the new team seems confident and excited about moving the project forward.

Cafritz Developers Hire New Lead Attorney, Project Managers - Hyattsville, MD Patch

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Looks like the Cafritz developers switched to more competent management teams. They have hired the lead attorney from the ARTS District Hyattsville project. This is good news as the new team seems confident and excited about moving the project forward.

Cafritz Developers Hire New Lead Attorney, Project Managers - Hyattsville, MD Patch

Is this site in the city of College Park? Hyattsville is a different city, right?

I'm still waiting for the redevelopment of College Park/Route one. For the last 25 years, that hub has look really crummy compared to say, Penn State's or UVA. A real shame.....

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by Barry Rock

Is this site in the city of College Park? Hyattsville is a different city, right?

I'm still waiting for the redevelopment of College Park/Route one. For the last 25 years, that hub has look really crummy compared to say, Penn State's or UVA. A real shame.....

The property is wholly in Riverdale Park. Only 3 acres are in College Park. Redevelopment is occurring in College Park. But rather slowly. East Campus just took a step back. They are going back to the drawing board. Cordish Companies hired a college edge campus designer that work on UPenn's edge campus properties. It's nice and it brings talent to the development, but this project has been put on hold and set back so many times, the Purple Line would be in operation before East Campus opens its doors.