FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 26, 1999

Citizens Group Opposes Accokeek Wal-Mart For more information, contact Margaret Schmid, 301-283-3324 or liveable210@radix.net.

Citizens for a Liveable 210, a group of Accokeek area residents and business owners, has formed to oppose the construction of a proposed Wal-Mart at the intersection of route 228 and state highway 210 in the Accokeek community. "We oppose this proposed megastore - nearly five acres in size, with up to 50 check out stands! - because it will have a devastating impact on our community," announced Margaret Schmid, Citizens for a Liveable 210 coordinator.

According to Schmid, "The proposed Wal-Mart would unalterably change the character of our community. At 203,000 sq. ft., it would be the largest Wal-Mart in the state of Maryland. It would bring large numbers of people into our largely rural community 18 to 24 hours per day. It would bring sprawl development along 210. It would disrupt the natural environment through degradation of the Mattawoman watershed and also through noise and light pollution."

Further, she said, "A Wal-Mart would have an extremely adverse impact on existing businesses along 210. We already have excess commercial space in our area, with vacancies in existing strip malls. We want a liveable, viable 210 corridor, not a corridor lined with deserted shopping malls."

Schmid noted that, "State highway 210 is already a commuter's nightmare, with major congestion. Data indicates that a store of the size of the proposed Wal-Mart would add at least 900 car trips per hour, plus major truck traffic. A Wal-Mart at 228 and 210 would make our community the scene of a non-stop traffic jam."

Schmid concluded, "The developer of the proposed Wal-Mart has not yet submitted a Conceptual Site plan for the development to Prince George's County Council, so this is an ideal time to make citizen opposition known to Prince George's County political leaders." She observed that new Wal-Marts are also under discussion for locations in LaPlata, and on highway 210 near the Broad Creek Historic District at the intersection of 210 and Old Fort Road North.

Citizens for a Liveable can be reached via e-mail at liveable210@radix.net. Its web site is located at http://www.geocities.com/heartland/forest/1344.