Subject: Key Document, Urban Renewalpage 2

"Lakeland, an Urban Design Sturdy" Commissioned by the City of College Park

Article from Greenbelt Cooperator

The Baltimore Sun February 27, 1945 Page 15 Lakelanders represented by Washington Attorney, Charles Houston to oppose inclusion in incorporation as part of municipality. Said tax burden would be difficult for residents due to their low income.

History and Development of the City of College Park, The First Twenty-Five Years of the city of College Park 1945-1960

Aerial Image

Gives City's review of urban renewal project history. This was the start of major urban renewal project redevelopment. April 7, 1981

Aerial image of lakes, community and surrounding area

Aerial Photograph of lakes, airport and environs.

Hangers and ponds are visible along with portion of Lakeland

Airport, industrial area, lake and portion of Lakeland

Airport and lakes along with a portion of Lakeland Property of US Army Air Services

Airport, College Park, the University of Maryland and part of Lakeland are seen. There is a clear view of the area along the railroad tracks. Property of US Army Air Services

2021 Image of Lake Artemesia

The Diamondback October 19, 1971 Page 4 Dean Tuthill Responding to letter in the October 7 edition on channelization of Paint Branch and Indian Creek form the Environmental Conservation Organization. I am in support of channelization as it would benefit the residents of Lakeland. I have witnessed people rescued from their homes in boats and spoken to residents afraid when it rains. Those living on Lakeland Road have been subject to flooding for years and commitments have been made of help from the Corps of Engineers project. It is true no one should live in a know flood area but Black people live there because they had no other option. Much of the land is owned by whites living elsewhere. Purchasing the land using eminent domain is the only way to put land in the hands of community members. Once that is done young residents will have a chance to purchase land and build homes in Lakeland. If not this plan would the Environmental Conservation Organization ensure the avaliblity of low income homes for Black people in Collège Park Woods, College Park Estates, Berwyn or Berwyn Heights? For now Lakeland residents hope to improve their community.

Black Explosion September 11, 1977 Page 8 Michele Chandler According to Leonard Smith, chairman of the project area committee (PAC their efforts to change development plans for the Lakeland community are useless. The project was built in 1974 for the low income residents. It was intended to replace poor housing in the neighborhood. Do to years of delays and cost increase developers were invited to give the city lower cost options. At a public hearing in August developer, Leon Weiner presented his plan which included two 150 unit apartment buildings one for senior citizens and another for University faculty, staff and perhaps students. 26 townhomes, 40 apartments for low to moderate income households and 6 single family homes. The mayor asked that city staff and the citizens group look at other options for the project. Weiner met with PAC two weeks after the hearing and said he would consider the input. Mr. Smith called the work "wasted effort" and said "with seven white council members and only one black, we have no bargaining power." Residents are firmly against the building of the apartment for members of the University community. They want single family homes. The group agreed to the building of the senior citizens units if they were set away from Baltimore Avenue to promote the safety of its residents. They also asked that the building be reduced in size such that it would only accommodate members of the College Park community. The citizens also asked that the number of public housing units be 24 not 26 and that they be spread throughout the community rather than placed in one area. Another request was that Lakeland Road, Navahoe Street and Berwyn House Roads not be closed. Mr. Smith also decried the lack of provision for neighborhood commercial space to allow the continuation of small stores. PAC member Mary Braxton polled former residents and most reported they left the community due to "inadequate housing".

Black Explosion January 24, 1974 Page 5 University of Maryland employee relations officer and black faculty and staff association member, Charles Carroll was elected to College Park's city council. He is the sole Black voting member of that body. Mr. Carroll is in favor of urban renewal but said it must be a benefit to the community. He is concerned about elderly members of the community having to move out and being faced with hardship cased by higher rents. He would like to see more Blacks gaining administrative work with the city. To date the only Black employees are refuse collectors. Other concerns expressed were traffic noise and the concept of lowering the age for holding of municpal elected office from 25 to 21. To be an elected city official an individual must also be a resident for at least 90 days and own property.

Black Explosion January 26 1977 Page 3 Anthony A. Harris On January 17 Lakeland’s Project Area Committee met. They discussed options related to their opposition to the plan presented by developer Leon Weiner. They presented four concepts s to the city council. 1. To convene the developer to consider the wishes of the community. 2. Have individuals send any complaints they have directly to HUD. 3. To draw up a specific list of the elements they would like rot add to the plan. 4. To dissolve PAC as it has no use. Community members oppose the plan proposed by Weiner as it contains few single family homes. Instead it has mid and high-raise apartment buildings. Rather than recommending Weiner for the work. PAC members endorsed a community based development group, Lakeland Joint Venture who would have returned 10 to 15 percent of their profits to the community to build a community center. A photo by Alex Thompson showing the urban renewal office trailer is also on the page.

Map of residences in eastern section of Lakeland based on information from Pearl Lee and James Edwards III Page from eastern Lakeland report

Washington Post April 16, 1900 Page 9 Suspensions of Indignation - One House Blazes Up While Frist is Burning About 1:00 in the morning a nice unoccupied cottage in Lakeland was discovered to be on fire. While attempts were being made to save part of the building it another home about 300 yards away was discovered to be burning as well. It is believed that the fires were intentional. The residences had been vacant for weeks. Colored people were angry that they were unable to rent the homes as only whites tenants were welcome. The cottages had been built by Mr. E. A. Newman and were owned by a trust company located in Philadelphia. Both home valued at a total of $2,000 were insured against loss. A careful investigation of the fire will be made.

Note from back cover of 1978 Urban Renewal Plan. This plan copy was in the papers of Lakelander and PAC member, Mary Braxton

Open letter to College Park City Council stating community’s requirements for redevelopment

Newsletter of the Lakeland Project Area Committee gives notice of city council meeting with proposal for Earl Weygandt to keep his property.

Newsletter of the Lakeland Project Area Committee Community concerns including new request for Lakeland School and street closings

College Park and area

Map of DC Suburbia from Baltimore Ave to Rhode Island, 1939-1959

Map of the Lakeland community just prior to implementation of the urban renewal program. The map also shows plots to be re-developed.