Trade Show Sells County to Retailers

By Ovetta Wiggins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 9, 2006

The quest for high-end retail continues.

The Economic Development Corp. and county government last week sponsored a retail trade show, the first in the county's history, to promote Prince George's as a prime spot for department stores.

"The fact that you are here today demonstrates your membership's awareness of our county as an important economic center," County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) said to he crowd of 150 representatives from government, business and the community at the University of Maryland.

Johnson was joined by Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), who continues to attend numerous events in the county as he continues his bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Duncan described Prince George's as "one of the most desirable and yet untapped markets in the country."

According to a recent study, the average new home in Prince George's is worth more than $600,000.

The study also showed that the county has more adults with graduate and undergraduate degrees than Howard and Anne Arundel counties and more residents with higher incomes. Yet, Prince George's does not compare with the two counties when you look at shopping options.

Kwasi Holman , president of the Economic Development Corp., said he hopes the trade show will set the stage for changes in the county.

'Building Something Up'

Before the claws of a bulldozer chomped down on a section of the Joel Apartments, a run-down complex that will soon become condominiums, about 100 people crammed into a white tent to hear speeches by some of the people who helped make the project happen.

Representatives of the partners -- Bozzuto Homes and the St. Paul Community Development Corp. -- had a few words. So did Thomas M. Thompson , head of the county's housing department.

The speeches were rounded out by Johnson and council member Samuel H. Dean (D-Mitchellville).

Johnson announced his plans to introduce legislation requiring apartment complex owners to submit security plans that he said would help improve safety.

"We're here not only tearing down something, but we're also building something up," Johnson said.

Johnson acknowledged Sam Parker , his nominee to chair the county's Planning Board, in the audience. "I think his presence shows the type of leadership that we are going to have" on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Prince George's and Montgomery planning boards' umbrella organization, he said. If approved, Parker also would serve as chairman of the umbrella group.

Carl Williams , head of the St. Paul Community Development Corp., said Dean was integral in getting the project, which received a $600,000 loan from the county, approved. He described him as a friend and "the best council member on the County Council."

"This is a coup for Prince George's County," Dean said. "This is what happens when we all work together."

Dean does not represent the area of Capital Heights where the condominiums will be built but said he attended because the council realizes that there is a "blurring of the lines" in Prince George's, adding that he believes the county's future would be based on how well such established communities do.

Of course, Dean's appearance continued to spur the talk that he may be considering a run for county executive. Dean denies the talk. "I've heard those same rumors," he said.

Campaign Finance Trouble

Four Prince George's County residents, including two connected to Johnson and one connected to the County Council, have been charged with failing to file timely campaign finance reports to the state Board of Elections.

The Maryland state prosecutor filed the charges in Anne Arundel County District Court against Wilbert Wilson of Mitchellville, Shailender K. Gupta of Greenbelt and Marva Jo Camp and Ernestine A. Camp , both of Mitchellville.

Wilson, chairman of Johnson's Vision for 2006 campaign, and Gupta, the campaign's treasurer, allegedly failed to file reports for a political action committee. Camp, who is a lobbyist for the County Council, failed to file reports for Friends of Marva Jo Camp, according to the state election board.