Prince George’s officials gathered Tuesday morning in Capitol Heights at what could soon be an endangered species in the county — a vacant lot across the street from a Metro station.
County Executive Jack Johnson, Lieutenant Governor candidate Anthony Brown and members of county and local government gathered undera white tent to break ground on a 175-unit condominium building, the latest transit-oriented project to be announced in Prince George’s.
“I’m fully aware that we’ve got 13 Metro transit centers in Prince George’s County,” Brown said. “This is a big event, a big opportunity, a big investment in Prince George’s County.”
The project, which still needs to have a final public hearing and be approved by the County Council, will rise directly across Addison Road from the Blue Line Metro Addison Road/Seat Pleasant station on a lot that’s been vacant for at least a decade.
The building, called Icon Condominiums, will have 175 condominium units as well as 21,000 square feet of retail. The building will have a roof top pool as well as underground parking.
The executive director of the county’s redevelopment authority, Thomas Thompson, said prices for the residential units will start in the mid-$200,000 range. Thompson said such incentives as low-interest loans as well as down payment and closing cost assistance will be available to help residents.
Thompson called the project another step toward revitalizing older, established Prince George’s communities inside the Capital Beltway.
“Somehow over the last 30 years, these areas were disinvested,” Thompson said.
Johnson told those gathered that residents of Capitol Heights and Seat Pleasant are first-class people who deserve first-class communities, opportunities as well as hope.
“You’re not forgotten,” Johnson said. “We’re going to rebuild with you, your communities.”
