Imagine stepping back in time to 1937 here at Roosevelt Center. It was one of the first planned shopping centers in the entire country. This was during the New Deal Era.
Roosevelt Center was the heart of Greenbelt. Greenbelt was one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s three “greentowns”. The others were Greenhills, Ohio and Greendale, Wisconsin.
Planners made sure Roosevelt Center was easy to walk to. Pedestrian paths and underpasses allowed residents to walk safely. They did not have to cross any streets.
Initially, residents owned all the businesses cooperatively. There was a grocery store and a variety store. A gas station, drug store, and tobacco shop also existed. You could find a barber shop, beauty shop, movie theater, and valet shop here.
The City of Greenbelt honored Roosevelt in 1982. They named the center after him for his 100th birthday. He played a key role in founding Greenbelt. In 1997, the Greenbelt Historic District became a National Historic Landmark. Roosevelt Center embodies the ideals that shaped the community.
Today, Roosevelt Center still serves as a focal point. It encourages community involvement. The Greenbelt Co-op Supermarket and Pharmacy opened in 1984. The historic Old Greenbelt Theatre is also still here.
You can also find the Greenbelt Arts Center here. The Greenbelt Federal Credit Union is another long-standing business. Don’t miss the New Deal Café. Its name honors the origins of this place. The Theatre, Co-op, Credit Union, and the New Deal Café continue a tradition. They operate as non-profit cooperative membership corporations. This goes back to the city’s beginnings.
Look at the building at 115 Centerway. It occupies the northwest corner. This building was added in 1965. It has a mid-century modern style. It was the community’s first doctor’s office. Doctors saw patients on the upper level. It had a laboratory, x-ray, and business offices. The offices even had built-in furniture and mahogany paneling.
In 2021, three Greenbelt families saw a need. More people were working from home. They purchased and renovated 115 Centerway. It is now called The Granite Building. It has modern workspaces for small businesses. These new “home offices” bring new vitality to Roosevelt Center. Roosevelt Center remains the heart of Old Greenbelt.