Residents and business owners tell Edmonston council 46th Avenue barriers hinder access

Several residents and local business owners raised concerns at the Town of Edmonston council meeting on March 12, 2025, about temporary barriers at the 46th Avenue industrial park that they say have impeded access and harmed local commerce.

Julia Glen of Glenarden opened public comment with concerns about the traffic-management plan and the placement of barricades on 46th Avenue. Nicole Miller of Hyattsville said she supported Glen’s account of heavy traffic and problems with barriers blocking access to the industrial park. Omar Gonzalez, owner of CrossFit at 4616 Ingraham Street, told the council the barriers were a “bad idea” and described negative effects on his business. Benny Lawson, speaking on behalf of County Executive candidate Aisha Braveboy, said the candidate’s office had received complaints about the barriers’ impact on local businesses.

During the Town Administrator report, Rod Barnes said a traffic study for the area had been completed about 18 months earlier and that flyers were distributed to notify residents. In addition, Alexis Devara of J&J Auto asked whether barriers on Ingraham and Lafayette could be removed, said there were no signs indicating 'no trucks allowed' and that he had not received notification prior to placement. Building owner Tina Santos, who identifies as the owner of 4616 Ingraham, explicitly opposed the barriers and asked whether police could address parked cars in the area.

No formal action to remove the barriers was recorded during the meeting. The public comments and the administrator’s report were recorded for follow-up; council discussion did not produce an immediate change to the traffic-control measures.

What’s next: The traffic study and the concerns raised are on the record; staff are expected to follow up with additional information, and the council may revisit the item in future sessions.