WWW.DISTRICTHEIGHTS.ORG DISTRICT HEIGHTS M A R Y L A N D REWRITING THE SUBURBAN PLAYBOOK
DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD REWRITING THE SUBURBAN PLAY AT A GLANCE CITY OF DISTRICT HEIGHTS WHAT: A 6,000-resident municipality in Prince George’s County pursuing strategic economic development through public-private partnerships, innovative senior services, and smart growth initiatives as it approaches its 90th anniversary WHERE: Prince George’s County, Maryland WEBSITE: www.districtheights.org THIS 6,000-RESIDENT MARYLAND CITY LEVERAGES UNCONVENTIO SMART GROWTH STRATEGIES TO COMPETE FOR ITS SHARE OF THE 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
E YBOOK ONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND PROSPERITY IN THE REGION In a region where the Washington Commanders just announced a $3.7 billion stadium project and Prince George’s County leads Maryland in new business formation, the City of District Heights is positioning itself as more than just another suburban municipality. With 6,000 residents and a newly minted tagline, “This is Home” the city approaches its 90th anniversary with ambitious plans for economic transformation. “We call ourselves a gem, the city of District Heights, because we are unique,” says Mayor Cynthia Miller, who leads a commission focused on balancing growth with community character. The city has rebranded itself to attract diverse demographics while maintaining its small-town feel.“We feel that no matter what position you’re in and what age level you’re in, this is home for whatever you desire to be when you come to District Heights.” Leading the parade: Mayor Cynthia Miller, Vice Mayor Gyasi Gomez, Commissioner Pamela Janifer, and Commissioner Anthony Tilghman march with the Washington Commanders Dance Force. 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
The timing appears strategic. District Heights evolved from farmland into a post-World War II enclave for federal workers and veterans. Now, as Prince George’s County experiences a surge in technology and cybersecurity firms, District Heights wants its share of the prosperity. City Manager David Street emphasizes the municipality’s readiness to compete: “We’re a very quiet, safe pocket within the bustling and active Washington DC beltway. We’re within 15 minutes of major metro stations, but we’ve maintained that quiet residential character that’s attractive to both people who live here and prospective residents.”The city’s average household income of $95,144 exceeds the national average, though it trails neighboring Montgomery and Fairfax counties, a gap city leaders aim to close through strategic development initiatives. REVITALIZING MARLBORO PIKE After a year of planning and public engagement, District Heights has shifted from strategizing to executing its commercial corridor transformation. The appointment of Darren Swain as Economic Development Director signals this transition. Swain brings fresh perspective to a corridor where commercial space currently leases between $25 and $35 per square foot annually, rates the city considers undervalued. “We’re in the process of doing our proper analysis of our commercial corridor,” Swain explains.“Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel. It’s to really look at some of those examples that are happening here in the region, certainly in Prince George’s County, that are actually taking root as we speak.” He points to Route 1 corridor and College Park’s integration of municipal facilities with retail development as models worth emulating. Street underscores the city’s willingness to invest alongside private developers. “The government is willing to put skin in the game,” he states.“We’ll come to a joint venture with land, financing, cash, whatever it takes to really be that first spark of redevelopment.” This approach aligns with broader county trends, where public-private partnerships have attracted major investments like the $543 million University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. The existing commercial landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. “A lot of our existing commercial developments are sixties, seventies, eighties strip centers,” Street notes. “They’re set far back from the street.They’re heavily parked up front, and it’s just not an inviting environment to drive through.” With land pricing favorable for acquisition and redevelopment, the city sees potential for transformation. Vice Mayor Gyasi Gomez captures 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD
NFL organization’s search for practice facilities led them to District Heights’ accessible fields and quiet location, resulting in an unexpected alliance that extends beyond sports. “They traveled around and visited several areas, and they found our area through a staff person,” Mayor Miller recounts. “They loved the fact that we have a really nice field, easy access from the parking lot. the strategic mindset: “We’ve been working towards really being ready so that when opportunities come to us, we’re able to capitalize on that.” GAME-CHANGING PARTNERSHIPS ELEVATING THE COMMUNITY The Washington Commanders marching band’s arrival in District Heights exemplifies how strategic partnerships can transform a small city’s profile.The 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
When they’re bringing their equipment, it just makes it easier—quiet, away from the street area. They use our tagline, ‘This is home’ for them.” The partnership gains additional significance as the Commanders prepare to build their new $2.7 billion stadium at the RFK site by 2030. Though the team will move into Washington D.C., District Heights has secured a four-year commitment. “Even with the current news that they’ll be moving back into the district in four years, we’re still able to continue to expand our partnership over the next four years,” Gomez notes. “That sort of landed gently in our lap because we were ready and available.” Beyond professional sports, the city has attracted nationally recognized service providers. Republic Services manages waste collection with impressive results; 80% recycling usage in recent months. Care Access provides health screenings at city facilities. 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD
Local organizations remain equally important. “We’ve been really excited to officially restart our partnership with the District Heights Boys and Girls Club,” Gomez explains. “They use our facilities for basketball practices and basketball games on Saturdays.” The city also partners with one of the nation’s most active AARP chapters, creating what Gomez describes as a balance between “nationally recognized brands and businesses” and communitybased organizations that serve residents directly. INNOVATIVE SENIOR SERVICES District Heights’ senior center has become a laboratory for addressing the complex needs of an aging population through unconventional partnerships. The N’Style Express Barber & Salon, operating within the senior facility, exemplifies this innovative approach to eldercare. “Throughout the nation now, very innovative partnerships are being created to address myriad The Washington Commanders Marching Band energizes the crowd at District Heights Day 2025. 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
issues with the aging community,” Swain observes. “The opportunity that N’Style Express gives is for our seniors to get low-cost grooming services that allow them to certainly assist in their mental health issues. For most people, the salon and barbershops, especially in this community, are places of refuge where they get the opportunity to come and just relax.” The grooming services provide unexpected health monitoring benefits. “These people, certainly the seniors, get an opportunity to come in on a regular basis,” Swain continues. “You get a chance to see and talk to them about how their health issues are coming along and counsel them through some things, in addition to taking some non-invasive health screenings like blood pressure.” Mayor Miller emphasizes the comprehensive nature of senior services.“Care Access is also in our building, and they do health screenings as well. It’s going to be a one-stop shop for us. Whatever the issue is, we’ll be able to have that resource available.” Food for Thought provides healthy lunch meals on Mondays and Wednesdays. Programming includes jewelry making, sip-and-paint sessions, and health workshops. The center serves multiple generations. “We work with our elementary schools,” Mayor Miller explains. “With the low-income students, we’re going to provide some hair care for them as well because we know that’s important. Being fed and looking good is always great when it comes to learning.” INFRASTRUCTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SMART ANNEXATION District Heights has positioned itself for expansion through careful infrastructure planning and environmental initiatives. The city’s five-year paving plan, supported by AI assessment tools for monitoring roads and signage, demonstrates a data-driven approach to municipal management that mirrors its distinction as Maryland’s first city to move financial management to the cloud. District Heights is a historic, close-knit city in Prince George’s County where community meets progress. With deep roots and big dreams, it’s more than a place—it’s a promise: This Is Home. LESS THAN 5 MILES FROM THE NATION’S CAPITAL $95,144 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME LESS THAN 15 MINUTES TO 4 METRORAIL STATIONS Capitol Heights, Morgan Blvd, Addison Rd and Suitland PROXIMATE TO 3 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Ronald Reagon Washington National Airport (DCA) districtheights.org | 301-336-1402 | 2000 Marbury Drive | District Heights, MD | 20747 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD
“We’ve done a lot of work since we spoke last about getting the city in a position where it can quickly move on critical infrastructure projects,” Street reports. “For the first time last year, we put together a five-year paving plan and are getting ready to leverage some AI assessment tools to keep basically every 30-day track on the status of the built environment, from roads to wayfinding signage to trees.” Environmental sustainability intertwines with economic development goals. “One of the largest pushes over the last year or two, three really, is to increase our tree canopy,” Gomez explains. “We’ve been doing tree planting the last three summers on our main thoroughfares to really increase our air quality and decrease the temperature. When temperatures are high, tensions can be higher as well. We’re really focused on making our community as safe and healthy holistically as possible.” The District Heights Fiesta Garden adds another dimension to sustainability efforts. “We’re teaching all ages how to plant and raise your own food,” Mayor Miller says.“I think right now it’s very important how you can grow your own food.” Annexation plans leverage the city’s proximity to Andrews Air Force Base and the Census Bureau. Swain sees opportunity in the city’s history: “Prince George’s County has taken a transformation from that very important origin to now a very diverse and cosmopolitan place where the citizenry gives us opportunity to really expand on the foundation that was brought in the early days.” THE NEXT 24 MONTHS: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT TAX INCREASES District Heights faces a critical challenge shared by many small municipalities: expanding services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The city’s strategy centers on revenue generation through development rather than taxation, a particularly pressing concern as federal funding constraints tighten municipal budgets. Celebrating District Heights Day: Mayor Cynthia Miller, Delegate Karen Toles, Delegate Denise Roberts, and Former Fire Chief Tiffany Green. 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
“We are definitely focused on economic development and annexation,” Mayor Miller emphasizes. “As we look at our budget, we know that in order to continue to expand services and to size our services, we’re going to need more revenue. We never want to look at raising taxes to provide that. So we are definitely diligent on economic development and annexation. It’s a must.” The city maintains financial flexibility despite current constraints.“We are more constrained financially now than we were, say, a year ago,” Street acknowledges. “But we’re also still in a strong position because the city has a reasonable amount of reserves. We have untapped debt financing and other mechanisms which we could leverage that we haven’t to date. We’re not particularly leveraged.” Educational partnerships represent another avenue for growth.“How do we look at our learning institutions and have them become a part of this reimagining and redevelopment of the Marlboro Memorial Day: Mayor Cynthia Miller, Vice Mayor Gyasi Gomez, Commissioner Xander Harcourt, Commissioner Pamela Janifer, Commissioner Anthony Tilghman, Former Commissioner Harryette Irving, Delegate Kent Roberson, Delegate Denise Roberts, Paster Bobby Manning, and Mr. James Fisher and Leonard Marshall of the Veterans Committee. 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n District Heights www.districtheights.org the city is at a critical juncture. With Prince George’s County leading Maryland in business formation and major developments reshaping the region, District Heights’ blend of small-town governance and metropolitan ambition positions it to capture emerging opportunities while preserving the community character that makes it, in their words, home. Pike Corridor?” Swain asks. “Whether it’s Prince George’s Community College, Bowie State University, University of Maryland Global Campus—all of those learning institutions have a presence in our redevelopment efforts.” He highlights existing assets: “We’re fortunate to have one of the premier private institutions in McNamara here in our backyard, along with the brand new Suitland Performing Arts High School.” As District Heights approaches its 90th anniversary, 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
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