Suitland Manor, Maryland facts for kids

Suitland Manor is a neighborhood in Suitland, a community in Prince George's County. It's located where Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road meet. Right across Suitland Road is the Suitland Federal Center, which is home to the United States Census Bureau and other government offices. In 2006, a group called the Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County asked developers to help turn Suitland Manor into a new area with homes and shops.

Suitland's Story

The name Suitland first appeared on maps in 1878. It was likely a place where mail was sorted. By the 1920s, Suitland was still mostly countryside. The 1940s brought big changes. Many new homes were needed after World War II. Also, Andrews Air Force Base was built nearby. The Suitland Parkway was created to connect Suitland to Washington D.C.. The Census Bureau and the Naval Intelligence Support Center also opened.

In the 1960s, many apartment buildings were built in Suitland. By 1970, apartments made up 80% of all homes. Around this time, some parts of the neighborhood started to face challenges. There were higher crime rates and properties that were not well-maintained. This was often because many property owners did not live in the area. This made it harder to improve the community.

In the 1990s, people started working hard to improve Suitland. They wanted to find out what the community needed most. They planned to create a new town center where Silver Hill Road and Suitland Road meet. This would help make the business area better and fix up the old Suitland Manor apartment complex.

What Was Suitland Manor Like?

The Suitland Manor area is located near the Suitland Federal Center. It is also close to the Suitland Metro Station. The area is about 33 acres (130,000 square meters). It used to have some small businesses and old apartment buildings. There were 167 buildings with four apartments each and 19 townhouses. There were also a few shops along Silver Hill Road and Suitland Road.

The neighborhoods next to Suitland Manor have single-family homes, newer townhouses, and apartments. A new elementary school was built right next to the area. The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County is buying all the homes in Suitland Manor. This helps them get the land ready for new development.

For many years, Suitland Manor had problems with crime. It was hard to manage the properties well because many owners did not live there. This made it difficult to make big improvements to the community.

The main goal is to bring all the properties in Suitland Manor under one owner. This will help start the process of making the area new again. The Redevelopment Authority (RA) is buying all the homes in Suitland Manor for this project. The RA will buy the properties, help people move, and tear down old buildings. This will prepare the land for new construction.

The new development will offer many chances for people to own homes. There will be different types of homes, sizes, and styles. Homes will be available for different people, from young workers to seniors. New and interesting building designs will make Suitland look much better. It will bring a fresh and modern feel to the neighborhood.

Making Suitland Better

The process of redeveloping Suitland includes buying properties, helping people move, and tearing down old buildings. This project follows a special law called the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act. This law protects the rights of property owners and people renting homes during this process. So far, 159 families have moved from homes owned by the RA. Twenty of these families have bought new homes using help from the RA.

The Redevelopment Authority works with Suitland community leaders and other county groups. They help control trash and illegal dumping in the area. A property manager is on site to handle issues with empty properties and people waiting to move.

Two buildings with eight apartments have been saved from demolition. These buildings are used by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. These groups offer mentoring and learning programs for young people in the community. Also, the Youth 2002 program teaches business skills from one of these buildings. This helps young people who are interested in starting their own businesses.

These services help people become more independent. They also give children chances to learn. These programs are part of the RA’s goal to build a stronger community. The community services will change as new needs come up during the development. They will also be part of the new community that is built. These programs might include fun activities, educational classes, meeting places, or family support. They help improve individuals, families, the neighborhood, and the larger community. They are all part of creating the new Suitland.

In late August 2005, Suitland Elementary School opened nearby on Homer Avenue.

Goals for a New Suitland

The Suitland Manor project aims to create a new Suitland neighborhood. The goal is to give Suitland a special look and feel. This will help create a strong sense of community. The new area will also have a mix of homes, shops, and community services. This mix helps attract people to live, work, and play in the same area. Having different types of buildings and activities usually makes an area more lively. These areas are also designed to be safe and help prevent crime.

Suitland Manor, along with other properties in the redevelopment area, has a special land rule called M-U-TC. This stands for Mixed-Use Town Center. This rule was made to encourage more buildings and different uses. It helps create an environment that supports many types of homes, businesses, and income groups.