Vibrant Communities and Revitalization

Eric has long worked to make downtown College Park and the Route 1 corridor a more vibrant place, more like other successful college towns that offer retail options, boutiques, quality restaurants, and other amenities in an inviting, walkable environment.

Eric is committed to involving existing communities in decisions about their future, especially when development is concerned. Eric will ensure that community groups must be consulted prior to developers submitting plans for new projects.

Eric believes that redevelopment of existing, developed areas is more important than developing land that is currently undeveloped, but it must be done in consultation with the community.

Eric was a strong advocate for projects like a downtown College Park urban infill project that replaced an abandoned gas station. It replaced a blighted property with an attractive, pedestrian friendly row of shops in the heart of downtown College Park. In addition, Eric has courted numerous businesses, which has resulted in stores like "My Organic Market" -- "MOMs" -- locating in College Park. He has also worked to retain existing businesses.

College Park enjoys miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, due in part to Eric's advocacy, and he has worked for bike and pedestrian improvements like bike racks and better lighting throughout the city. In addition, Eric is a strong advocate for public transportation like the Purple Line light rail, and ensuring that new developments are required to provide shuttle bus service to Metro stations. He has also sought more and better bus service along Route 1. See our web page on Transportation Choices, for more information.

In January, College Park citizens, officials, businesspeople and others, enjoyed a day-long session with federal Environmental Protection Agency Smart Growth staff and other national smart growth leaders to work through many of the challenges associated with redeveloping the Route 1 corridor. Eric identified the program, and urged the City to apply for the EPA's assistance. College Park was honored to be one of only five communities in the country chosen for the assistance, and the session was very well attended.

In addition to his hands-on experience with revitalization on the City Council, he brings professional expertise as well. Professionally, Eric works on revitalization, smart growth and healthy communities for the national Sierra Club. His work on these subjects has been highlighted in places like the Wall Street Journal and other major newspapers, particularly in relation to a report he wrote -- "Building Better: A Guide to America's Best New Development Projects" -- which highlighted what some communities, developers and officials are doing well in redevelopment projects around the country.