The 1940s brought a surge of development with the demand for housing after World War II; the establishment of Andrews Air Force Base on the eastern periphery of the neighborhood; the building of the Suitland Parkway linking Washington D.C.; and the opening of the Census Bureau and the Naval Intelligence Support Center on the site now known as the Suitland Federal Center.
There were several areas that became plagued by numerous social problems: high crime rates, drugs, property-standard violations, absentee landlords, and ultimately disinvestment in the community.
In the 1990s, extensive neighborhood revitalization efforts began in the Suitland focus area to identify and prioritize local needs and develop a plan to address those needs.
The existing 33 acre (130,000 m²) project area consists of marginal commercial businesses and deteriorating multi-family structures of varying densities.
Poor management controls created because of the high number of absentee landlords owning individual buildings has compromised the community environment.
Innovative architecture will create a distinctive development that will dramatically change the image of Suitland and bring a contemporary and competitive presence to the neighborhood.
The Redevelopment Authority works with Suitland community leaders and other county agencies to control trash and illegal dumping that are attracted to the area.
RA is also offering an additional $1,000 reward to anyone providing information for the arrest and conviction of an individual committing an illegal act in Suitland Manor.
These services are intended ultimately to promote self-sufficiency, provide learning opportunities for children, and play a part in RA’s mission of community building.
This zone was created to encourage the establishment of higher density and mixed-uses that foster an environment supportive to a diverse range of residential units, commercial activities, and income groups.