Civil Municipal - June 2024

District Heights.” An initiative is also underway to make the city more approachable at an administration level, creating what Street calls “a better business owner, taxpayer, experience, when you’re coming in to transact business with the city.” Additionally, an economic development plan is in the works, which includes a partnership with Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to identify business attraction targets and strategies. “Healthcare, for example, is appealing to us,” Street describes. Other parts of the plan include placemaking initiatives along Marlboro Pike and continued support for small businesses. CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY The city is proud of its vibrant community events, including District Heights Day, an annual gathering that celebrated 25 years in 2023.“We bring the largest crowd out from all over to be a part of our District Heights Day: elected officials, business owners, vendors, food, and fun. That is our biggest event,” Mayor Miller depicts. “We just added Juneteenth as one of our events. And the second biggest is the Fourth of July. Since COVID this is the first July 4 that we’re going to have fireworks. So, we’re all so excited. And of course, we’ll have some activities and food trucks leading up to the fireworks program.” Memorial Day brings the community together at the new Veteran’s Memorial Park, a new city park funded by a bond bill.“The Veterans’ Park came about because we realized we have over 100 veterans that lived or are living in the incorporated city. So, we were able to receive funding. It is steadily growing, but we feel that it brings people together who have served us.We honor that.” District Heights also hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, which showcase the high levels of engagement in the city. Giving back is a priority in District Heights, evident by the various community partnerships and initiatives. Miller elaborates, “We have partnered with a food bank, a nonprofit, Food for Thought, where they are 134 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06