Old Towne Bowie maker‑district plan wins $100,000 award; city asked to partner on land‑trust pilot

Mark Lawrence, president of Community Development Partners — the city's contracted CDC for the Old Towne Bowie project — presented a biannual update and a phased plan to create a maker‑focused district centered on craft manufacturing, arts and culture. "How do we revitalize Old Town Bowie?" Lawrence asked the council, framing the maker district as a place-based economic development model rather than a conventional retail redevelopment.

Lawrence said planning and feasibility work over two years produced a brand and strategy ("Crafted and Bowie") and attracted state and philanthropic partners. He announced the project recently won a $100,000 TEPCO award to support continued planning and activation. Lawrence said the immediate priority is leasing and activating the old firehouse at 13006 9th Street as a demonstration hub and shared programming space; he said lease negotiations were in final stages and, if completed, the space would be up by late July or early August.

To address site control and affordability, Lawrence asked the council to evaluate a commercial community land trust model to acquire and steward small parcels for maker and production uses. He described a near‑term activation strategy (shared kitchen, pop‑up markets, events and murals) to draw local residents and visitors while assembling parcels and raising larger project capital.

Council members praised the approach, asked for demographic and traffic figures that staff will provide, and urged Lawrence and staff to coordinate with Bowie State, the Bowie Business Innovation Center, and regional development efforts near the MARC station. Several council members asked staff to follow up on Lawrence's requests for letters of support and partnership; the mayor said staff will initiate conversations and report back.

Why it matters: The maker‑district plan aims to create small‑scale manufacturing jobs, activate underutilized storefronts and secure long‑term affordable space for local entrepreneurs. The TEPCO award and the proposed activation of the old firehouse were presented as tangible near-term progress.

What happens next: Staff will meet with Lawrence to evaluate the commercial community land trust idea, help shepherd lease finalization for the firehouse activation hub, and consider letters of support to pursue additional state, federal and philanthropic grants.