“A surge of development.” That’s what they called it back in the 1940s here at Suitland Manor. It’s quite a story how this place came to be and what it represents.
Suitland Manor sits in Prince George’s County. Look around. You’re at the intersection of Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road. It’s right across from the Suitland Federal Center.
The name Suitland popped up on maps around 1878. Back then it was just a mail stop. But by the 1920s this area was still mostly farmland.
Then World War II happened. Suddenly there was a huge need for housing. Andrews Air Force Base opened nearby. The Suitland Parkway linked this area to Washington D.C. The Census Bureau and Naval Intelligence Support Center set up shop. Suitland exploded with activity.
Apartment buildings sprang up everywhere in the 1960s. Multi-family units made up 80% of the housing. But things started going downhill. Crime went up. Drugs became a problem. Landlords didn’t care about their properties.
The 1990s saw a push to revitalize Suitland Manor. The goal was to fix the business area and the run-down apartment complex.
This Suitland Manor site covers 33 acres. It used to be full of struggling businesses and old apartment buildings. There were 167 four-unit buildings and 19 townhouses.
For years Suitland Manor was known for illegal drug deals and the crimes that came with them. Many landlords didn’t live here. This made it hard to improve the community.
The plan was to get all the properties under one owner. This would kick off the revitalization. The Redevelopment Authority started buying up the residential parts of Suitland Manor.
The idea is to build new homes for everyone from young workers to older folks. The architecture will be modern. It’s designed to change how people see Suitland. It will give the neighborhood a fresh start.
The redevelopment means buying properties moving people and tearing down buildings. The government has rules to protect property owners and renters during this process.
To keep crime down in Suitland Manor the Redevelopment Authority is working with the police. They’re trying to stop illegal drug activity. They even offer a reward for information leading to arrests.
Two buildings were saved from demolition. These house the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. These groups offer mentoring to young people in the community.
The Youth 2002 program teaches business skills. It’s all about helping young people become entrepreneurs.
These efforts aim to help people become self-sufficient. They provide learning chances for kids. They’re part of building a new community in Suitland.
The goal is to create a new Suitland neighborhood. It should have a unique identity. It should feel like a real community. It will mix stores community services and homes. This will encourage people to live work and have fun here.
This mixed-use approach brings energy and safety. The area is designed to prevent crime. Suitland Manor is zoned for mixed-use. This encourages different types of homes businesses and income levels. It’s all about creating a diverse and thriving place.