Work Session - Economic Development & Legislative Priorities (FIXED AUDIO)

The City of Greenbelt City Council work session focused first on economic development. The transcript identifies the meeting as Monday, October 5, 2026, while the supplied metadata lists October 14, 2026. Staff reported awarding the first $150,000 round of façade improvement grants for Roosevelt Center businesses and receiving an additional $150,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for a second round in the same area. The city is also preparing the next-phase RFP for mixed-use redevelopment of the Armory site; it has not yet been released. Staff said demolition funding for the site had been applied for, with future design and construction funding still to be explored. Other updates covered business support, a sold-out business-to-business expo, and planned economic development website and communications improvements.

The Council then reviewed draft 2027 state and county legislative priorities and potential bond-bill requests, including streetlight upgrades, park improvements, and replacement of a water line serving McDonald Field. Members agreed to circulate surveys so they can rank legislative priorities and bond-bill projects; staff will also prepare a written update on the food-scraps program. The session included no votes or formal actions. A DEI consulting-services RFP draft was listed for discussion at an upcoming Council meeting, not considered for award at this work session.