Montgomery and Prince George's counties are trying to revamp the Takoma-Langley Crossroads, which straddles the border between the two jurisdictions and suffers from rows of old shopping centers, few amenities and poor pedestrian access.
Both counties want to replace the current shopping centers with mixed-use real estate -- mid- and high-rise buildings with retail on the bottom and residences or offices on top. In particular, Montgomery County officials have described a desire for high-end retail.
Officials in both counties say they want to improve the quality of life in the community when the Purple Line is built, but they are worried about what some say is the inevitable displacement of the largely low- and middle-income, Hispanic community there now.
The redevelopment plans center around the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard, the planned site for a Purple Line station, although officials expect the light rail connecting Bethesda to New Carrollton probably won't exist for at least 10 years.
The development plans describe a pedestrian-friendly environment with a bike lane, an off-road cycling path and a 14-foot-wide sidewalk.
Prince George's County's plan also mentions a public market and new library.
But Montgomery County Council members are questioning the feasibility of the plans and the potential pitfalls of redevelopment.
Councilman George Leventhal, D-Takoma Park, reminded the committee that the Purple Line station might not bring the anticipated economic opportunities.
"In Glenmont, nothing's happened, and there's been a Metro station there for a long, long time," he said. "The fact that there may be a Purple Line station in Langley Park doesn't change the fact that it's Langley Park, and the people who live there live there."
But Council President Valerie Ervin, D-Silver Spring, emphasized that area residents deserve improvements.
"In an economically disadvantaged community like Langley Park, those folks deserve to have the same kinds of amenities ... as any other part of the county," she said in an interview.
According to Councilman Marc Elrich, D-at large, "history shows" that gentrification will be inevitable.
That is exactly what residents like Paulino Mendez fear. "I'm right here for 10 years," he said, explaining that higher rents might mean moving and making his daughter change schools.
But others, like Family Furniture employee Paul Arguera, think the changes could bring new business.
Ervin is scheduled to host a forum on the redevelopment July 8.
Prince George's County officials could not be reached for comment as a result of a power outage at their offices.
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