'Fabricated' Letters of Support Dog DC Area Redevelopment

An effort to bring jobs and the first Whole Foods to Prince George's County confronts rezoning debates and backhanded tactics.

2 minute read

February 5, 2013, 8:00 AM PST

By boramici


A new development slated to bring 1,920 full time construction and 464 full time retail and food service jobs, 995 units of housing, 22,000 square feet of office space, 168,000 square feet of retail, a 120 room hotel, and the first Whole Foods market to Maryland's second most populous and largely African-American County has stalled because of what City Council members are calling fabricated letters.

The Cafritz family redevelopment plan, which aimes to rezone a 36-acre residential area at the intersection of three municipalities in Prince George's County, has its supporters and opponents among political leaders in University Park, Riverdale Park and College Park, home to the University of Maryland and IKEA.

Supporters believe redevelopment will be an economic boon for the area and create new jobs while attracting high-end retail once Whole Foods settles in. Opponents do not believe the plan follows smart growth principles with the redevelopment zone being more than a mile away from public transport and increased traffic on the adjacent Route 1 becoming an issue.

After the PG County planning department rejected a detailed Cafritz proposal last month, after having approved the rezoning earlier in 2012, Cafritz's attorney submitted letters of support for the plan from three influential local players to a recent University Park City Council meeting. Without signatures of approval from their purported authors, the letters have thrown another wrench in the redevelopment debate.

Saturday, February 2, 2013 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Sign in front of building for seior services center in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk

High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.

15 minutes ago - WESH

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

2 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA