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Politics & Government

Whole Foods: 'Feather in Cap' of County, Hyattsville Official Says

Some Hyattsville City Council members weighed in on the Cafritz project, which could funnel additional traffic into the already congested intersection of Route 1 and East West Highway.

The proposed construction of a in neighboring Riverdale Park has sparked public controversy.

We’ve heard from different segments about the cost of bringing Whole Foods, along with the rest of the , into the Route 1 Corridor.  

Some Hyattsville City Council members weighed in on the project, which could funnel additional traffic into the already congested intersection of Route 1 and East West Highway.

Representatives of Cafritz Enterprises, lawyer Chip Reed and the development project team, were at the and walked the council through Phase 1 and 2 of the project.

Phase 1 is not the cause of concern, according to Councilwoman Shani Warner (Ward 2). It’s the lack of details in Phase 2 that bothers her.

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“[The Phase 2 plan] is not clear. There are certain issues in it that haven’t been addressed, like traffic and safety concerns,” she said.

The Hyattsville City Council agreed to pay up to $5,000 from the city’s general fund toward a to examine how the development would affect the area, said Council President Matthew McKnight.

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The study would help illuminate areas where the Cafritz development plan was “light on details,” he said.

“The traffic study [Cafritz Enterprises] did was very inconclusive,” Councilwoman Ruth Ann Frazier (Ward 5) said. “[Route 1] is always a congested area but they seem to think it can handle [more traffic.]”

Despite the benefits of a high-end grocery store and shopping area, Frazier doesn’t “think it’s a good idea.”

Although negative aspects of the project have been voiced in the council, Warner said she feels the project “is a go.”

“It’s a feather in the cap of Prince George’s County,” Warner said. “As an average Joe, I say ‘Yay, a Whole Foods!’ I’m in support of the project. Reservedly so, but I’m pro [Cafritz.]”


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