Blue Line Corridor
In the fall of 2019, recognizing the interconnectivity of our region and its economy, LISC began intentionally seeking partnerships regionally, and particularly in Prince George’s County. Then, in July of 2021, with support from Kaiser Permanente and guided by LISC’s national Community-Centered Economic Inclusion Framework, LISC embarked on a collaborative effort to create an inclusive economic development agenda for Prince George’s County’s Blue Line Corridor.
The Economic Inclusion Agenda combined regional economic trends, community surveys and the creation of a Central Avenue/Blue Line Corridor Task Force in its production. The Task Force–which brought together local nonprofit, faith and small business leaders, county representatives, anchor institutions, and funders–produced a set of thirteen recommendations to drive inclusive and equitable development in the Blue Line Corridor. Since completing the agenda, LISC has made a series of investments in support of inclusive and equitable development in the Corridor.
Work to Date
Housing Investments
Since 2022, LISC has invested $4.5Million in support of two Blue Line Corridor Projects.
1) A $2.7Million acquisition and predevelopment loan to Community First Development Corporation in support of 210 on Park. 210 on Park is a mixed-use and mixed-income project in Capitol Heights that will include 158 new apartments, 75% of which will be affordable, and ground floor retail.
2) A $1.8Million construction loan in support of Housing Initiative Partnership’s Fairmount Heights Zero Energy Homes. The project includes six single-family homes built to net zero energy standards that will be sold to first-time homebuyers at affordable levels.
Placekeeping and Community Power
LISC invested over $60,000 to support two community-based initiatives.
1) The Capital Market’s Turnip Tour – a mobile food experience centering resilient communities, local farms, and cultural heritage that visited different locations across the Blue Line (Summer/Fall 2023).
2) Blue Line Corridor Civic Leadership Institute – LISC provided grant funding to seed a comprehensive community development training institute for residents, local business owners, community organizations, and city officials.
Community-Driven Real Estate
LISC made a series of grant investments to support the Town of Capitol Heights and Mission of Love Charities in community-driven real estate projects. LISC is helping the Town of Capitol Heights think through options to activate plots of vacant land along Bayou Avenue. Similarly, LISC provided a development consultant and community outreach dollars to the MOLC in support of the renovation and build-out of their new headquarters at the Old Lyndon Hill School.
Photo Credit: Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council
