Weekly Status Report - 3/4/2010

MEMORANDUM

TO:               City Council

FROM:         David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT:  Status Report

DATE: March 4, 2010   

Status Report

1.  City Exhibits At ICSC Mid Atlantic

On February 16 and 17, the City led an exhibit team with representatives from the Prince George's County EDC and the City of Laurel at the annual International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Mid Atlantic Idea Exchange at the Gaylord National Harbor. During the one-day exhibit portion of the event, City representatives Mayor Pro Tem Marcos, Planning Director Joe Meinert, and Economic Development Director John Henry King met with retailers, restaurateurs, and others active in retail development.

Our first target, again this year as it has been for several years, was grocery stores. Two grocery stores have identified sites in Bowie for their expansion. Store representatives told us that their inability to get a license to sell beer and wine at their stores in Prince George's County is keeping them from signing a lease. 

Our second target was other retailers, and their tenant broker representatives. We received several inquiries and staff is following up with the requested information.

All of Bowie's retail centers were actively marketing their properties at this event.

2.  Bowie State University Facilities Master Plan

The City's Planning Director has been named a member of the External Resource Group for Bowie State University's Facilities Master Planning Committee. The Board of Regents requires updating of a Facilities Master Plan at least every five years. The last plan for BSU was done in 2002. The Facilities Master Plan represents a comprehensive strategic approach for implementing the University's future capital programs and is used "to direct the development of facilities and inform campus operation." Other members of the External Resource Group include Prince George's County Council Member Ingrid Turner and Ms. Vanessa Akins, Chief of the M-NCPPC Community Planning North Division. Several workshops and meetings will be held over the summer, and the Universityexpects to present the updated plan to the Board of Regents in November.