City consultant outlines comprehensive‑plan timeline and priorities, urges robust ward engagement

Eleanor Ortel of Inspire Placemaking Collective presented a structured timeline and early findings for College Park’s comprehensive plan, telling the board the firm is synthesizing prior work and steering‑committee input and expects a draft by the end of July.

Ortel said early engagement and the steering committee highlighted recurring themes: housing affordability and preservation, landlord accountability, infrastructure and stormwater concerns, recurring power outages and a desire for more community‑focused outreach. “One of the biggest pieces that we’re wanting to make sure that we spend ample time on is our community engagement,” Ortel said, noting the team plans ward‑level workshops and a public survey.

The consultant also reviewed local economic and real‑estate data: top employment sectors in College Park include accommodation and food services, public administration, wholesale trade, health care, and transportation/warehousing; the team reported stable population projections and a lag in new office development. Ortel warned that failing to adopt a timely plan could affect the city’s qualification for certain state grants and recommended aligning plan goals with the city’s strategic priorities.

Board members asked for ward workshop dates, more spatial breakdowns of the data and a clear method for integrating the 2021 plan’s feasibility and per‑capita analyses into the current update. Ortel said materials and schedules will be posted online and that the consultant will coordinate further with staff and council members to set public meetings.

What happens next: the firm will post the draft for public comment after its July deadline and staff will schedule public hearings before the plan proceeds to state review and final adoption.