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Inside the Qualified Data Center Task Force: What It Did, What It Found, and What Comes Next
The Qualified Data Center Task Force has released its long-awaited report, and it marks a significant shift in how Prince George’s County is approaching data centers. Residents raised serious concerns over the past year—environmental risks, land-use conflicts, and a broken public process—and the Task Force’s recommendations directly respond to many of those issues. Some gaps remain, and we’ll unpack those in this five-part series. But first, here’s what the Task Force actuall
jjohnson9115
3 days ago2 min read


Halting the Data Center Was the First Step, Here’s What You Can Do Next
In recent weeks, momentum has shifted in Prince George’s County over the proposed data center at the former Landover Mall site. While the project isn’t dead yet, what once seemed like a done deal is now facing increasing scrutiny and community pushback. On September 15, County Executive Aisha Braveboy issued an executive order halting all permit approvals for new data centers—effectively freezing progress while a newly formed Qualified Data Center Task Force conducts a compr
jjohnson9115
Oct 202 min read


Stop the “Flagship Project” Loophole: Keep Growth Aligned with Plan 2035
Prince George’s County spent years updating its zoning to encourage walkable, transit-oriented, and equitable growth , especially in long-disinvested inner-Beltway neighborhoods. Now, a new proposal—the Flagship Project Overlay Zone (FPOZ) —threatens to undermine those reforms. The County Council will soon consider legislation (CB-105-2025 and CB-92-2025) that would create an overlay zone allowing certain mega-developments to bypass essential zoning safeguards and public inpu
Bradley Heard
Oct 112 min read


Greater Capitol Heights: Leading the Way on Affordable Housing and Inclusive Growth
The housing affordability crisis in the DC Metro area is hitting families hard—but the solution may lie in Prince George’s County. Greater Capitol Heights has the right mix of assets: Metro access, available land, and deep community roots. Yet too many residents are rent-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Why Greater Capitol Heights Matters The latest policy brief from Greater Capitol Heights Improvement Corporation (GCHIC) highlights why this comm
jjohnson9115
Oct 91 min read


Transparency Fight Over Fairmont Heights H.S. Redevelopment Heads to Court
Greater Capitol Heights Improvement Corporation (GCHIC) filed a lawsuit Friday in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County against...
jjohnson9115
Aug 252 min read


Envisioning Unity: The 20743 Coalition and the Path Toward a One City Vision for Greater Capitol Heights
Explore how the 20743 Coalition reflects GCHIC’s One City vision for inclusive development across Greater Capitol Heights and the Blue Line Corridor.
Bradley Heard
May 262 min read


Let’s Not Get Distracted by Six Flags’ Closure
As Prince George’s County turns its attention to the Six Flags site closure, this blog urges a shift toward long-neglected Metro station areas like Capitol Heights and Addison Road—and away from headline-chasing distractions.
Bradley Heard
May 253 min read


Building Power Through Community Development: Rockaya and Savannah Reflect on Their Work with GCHIC at UDC Law Clinic
Greater Capitol Heights has recently benefited from the dedication and talent of two rising advocates: Rockaya Ndoye and Savannah Cobbs....
jjohnson9115
May 232 min read


Post-Commanders Fever Dreams Shouldn’t Drown Out Real Transit-Oriented Development
With the Washington Commanders leaving Landover, Prince George’s County must resist the lure of flashy redevelopment and stay focused on building equitable, transit-oriented communities around its Metro stations.
Bradley Heard
Apr 284 min read


More Sprawl Is Definitely Not the Solution: Why Dense, Walkable Communities Are the Future
As America grapples with a deepening housing crisis, New York Times columnist Conor Dougherty recently argued that more suburban and...
Bradley Heard
Apr 144 min read


How You Can Support Black-Owned Businesses in Greater Capitol Heights
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our community. They thrive on more than just dollars; they need our engagement, visibility, and...
jjohnson9115
Mar 242 min read


Prince George’s County’s Forgotten Election and the Crisis of Low Voter Turnout
Only 5% of Prince George's County voters participated in the special primary election on March 4. This is not what democracy looks like.
Bradley Heard
Mar 52 min read


Empowering Future Leaders: Dahlia Shaewitz's Journey with the Civic Leadership Institute
Dahlia Shaewitzs joined the CLI with a purpose: to make a greater impact on a field that she knew and loved. With over 20 years of...
jjohnson9115
Nov 10, 20242 min read


Improving the Community with Data
Adil Ashraf-Mayo was initially supposed to be on the administrative team for the Civic Leadership Institute. Recruited by Brittney...
jjohnson9115
Oct 6, 20242 min read


Building on Previous Skills to Envision a Brighter Future – An Interview with Rose Johnson
While the planning process is not well-known to most, members of the CLI became well-versed in what it entails. One such member, Rose...
jjohnson9115
Oct 6, 20242 min read


Empowering Future Leaders: Shani Gzifa's Journey with the Civic Leadership Institute
Shani Gzifa went from collecting recycling after school in Environmental Club to meeting with the Department of Agriculture on soil...
jjohnson9115
Oct 6, 20242 min read


Decoding the GCHIC Logo
Have you ever taken the opportunity to look deeper into our logo? The meaning behind it showcases GCHIC’s mission, values, and populace....
jjohnson9115
May 23, 20242 min read


Capstone Presentation Recap: Fostering Community Transformation
Greater Capitol Heights Improvement Corporation, in collaboration with The Capital Market, recently hosted a capstone presentation...
jjohnson9115
May 10, 20242 min read


Empowering Communities through Digital Marketing: Introducing Our Communications Specialist
Greetings, GCHIC community! My name is Jamila Johnson, and I've just joined the GCHIC team as a communications specialist. I am excited...
jjohnson9115
Apr 10, 20242 min read


Blue Line Corridor Civic Leadership Group Engages Local Leaders and Looks to a Brighter Future for Capitol Heights
Nearly 50 people gathered at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Capitol Heights on Saturday, March 2, daring to envision what their...
jjohnson9115
Mar 18, 20243 min read
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