Depressing State of the Boulevard at the Capital Centre (Upper Marlboro: apartment, homes)

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by EdwardA

Blacks can't sustain a development of that size that's just the brutal truth.

A Racist comment especially if you are going to ignore the large number of African American populated High End Developed areas around Atlanta such as Atlantic Station and Buckhead....

[WhoDatInMD]

Originally Posted by $mk8795

A Racist comment especially if you are going to ignore the large number of African American populated High End Developed areas around Atlanta such as Atlantic Station and Buckhead....

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by WhoDatInMD

I second that.

[EdwardA]

Originally Posted by Andy1369

I'm sorry, but I disagree. Look at what happened to Springfield Mall... White Flint... both were in an area that didn't have the majority as blacks, and they both folded. Gangs/sketchy types MAY had something to do with the degradation of the Blvd, but it was also economic and location issues, too. It's not all because of 'blacks.'

And, if that argument was to hold any water, Bowie Town Center, PG Plaza, and Laurel would've folded by now, too. (Well, technically, Laurel did fold, but they're resurrecting it in another form.)

Nothing you said disputed my original contention. I never said only Blacks lacked the ability to sustain a development that size.

[EdwardA]

Originally Posted by $mk8795

A Racist comment especially if you are going to ignore the large number of African American populated High End Developed areas around Atlanta such as Atlantic Station and Buckhead....

I don't know much about Atlanta. I do remember seeing the clip of the security guard that tasered this mother in a shopping center frequented by Blacks. Evidently this shopping center was nice back in the day, kind of like Iverson or Landover mall.

[Andy1369]

I've got a question for y'all. Based on the photos I recently shared upthread, how would you think the Blvd looks, based on my pictures? Does it look ghetto, or just neglected? Nice? Does anything surprise you all? Very curious for your reactions to the photos.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by Andy1369

I've got a question for y'all. Based on the photos I recently shared upthread, how would you think the Blvd looks, based on my pictures? Does it look ghetto, or just neglected? Nice? Does anything surprise you all? Very curious for your reactions to the photos.

The pictures don't speak of any ghettoness or neglect. What I see in the pictures and how they were taken, is a dying shopping center. Much like any dying shopping center in the US. Why it is dying or appears that way is another matter.

University Town Center lost a lot of its retail after the recession as well. There are a lot of empty storefronts too. Though finally Safeway is being built as the anchor. But the property doesn't look ghetto or neglected. Just empty.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Andy1369

I've got a question for y'all. Based on the photos I recently shared upthread, how would you think the Blvd looks, based on my pictures? Does it look ghetto, or just neglected? Nice? Does anything surprise you all? Very curious for your reactions to the photos.

I was around there probably about a month ago. Your pictures overall weren't that surprising except where the food places were. I don't think it was even that bad before when I went. I think it honestly looks more neglected than ghetto, but the directory picture for example and the dirt on the buildings, now that's just ghetto. Doesn't seem like there is any sense of pride with the shopping center.

I mean you expect businesses to close. They unfortunately had a few businesses like Circuit City, Linen's N' Things, Borders and Uno's that either went out of business or downsized so empty store front seem some what understandable. What just doesn't make sense is that they aren't doing anything to seemingly attract businesses to want to stay. It kind has that Iverson Mall vibe where it's almost as if they don't care how it looks because they know certain people will still come. That's no disrespect to the people who shop there, but clearly the management of the property do not feel as though it's worth their time to invest an effort to make the shopping center look better.

[swishplace]

My company has an office close by there so I went there a couple times for lunch. I agree. It's a weird shopping center. Didn't really like the vibe. Seemed kinda blah. That said, I did find Woodmore Towne Center to be more inviting and they have a Wegman's there which is nice.

[Lubina]

how would you think the Blvd looks, based on my pictures? Does it look ghetto, or just neglected

It just looks vacant. Ghetto = some parts of BMore and Detroit. The Blvd doesn't even come close. There are semi-empty town centers and strip malls all over the DC Metro area. Town centers are the latest shopping fad. Developers and the politicians in their pocket don't think long term viability and the Blvd is an example. There is always a complaint about lack of shopping options in PG but these places don't attract and keep stores that could be found at Pentagon City or Tysons and even if they did all stores and their inventory are not created equal. There are only so many carry outs, nail salons, check cashing places, cell phone providers and beer and wine stores needed. The same mistake are being made with town centers as they did in the 80's with strip malls, placing one near every crop of houses. Not necessary. The best planned suburban areas I personally have visited or lived in had distinctive and separate residential and shopping areas not a crop of homes and a strip mall or town center every couple miles. The areas are cleaner and less congested and businesses thrive because they are only competing with 2-3 similar industries others but not a dozen.