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Politics & Government

Goddard Bike Path Hits Bump

Goddard reps field input and advice over bike route and private-property issues from Advisory Planning Board.

Plans to forge a more direct bicycle path between the Greenbelt Metro Station and may require more than mere asphalt and a green light from city leaders. It could also require blessings—and money—from those who own the phase III Greenbriar Condominiums.

This point alone captured much of the discussion Wednesday night at the , where Goddard representatives fielded input and advice from Greenbelt’s Planning Advisory Board over Goddard's proposed bike path. “We’re kind of stuck, to be perfectly honest with you,” said Raymond Rubilotta, a deputy director of management operations at Goddard. 

As is, from Goddard’s west property line and link through a portion of the Greenbriar Condominiums located just east of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. But convincing owners to endorse more asphalt——may be a challenge, especially since the path would be made to serve only Goddard employees pedaling to and from work.

Another stick in the spokes concerns Goddard’s inability to pay for and maintain that portion of the path that crosses through Greenbriar’s property line. “We can’t use federal funds on that land,” Rubilotta said at numerous points during the  meeting.

Of the portion of path linking to the condos that Goddard could front, Rubilotta estimated a $247,000 price tag–this to lop out some trees, lay asphalt, run electricity, lighting and cameras along the bike path, which could only be used by Goddard employees. Rubilotta also noted that, if completed today, about 25 Goddard employees would use the bike path. As things warm up, that number might increase to 60, he added.

Emmett Jordan, Greenbelt’s Mayor pro tem, dropped in on the meeting halfway through to express his support. However, he also acknowledged that Greenbriar’s phase III condo owners may be a “tough crowd” to convince when it comes down to broaching the issue.

But the Greenbelt East Advisory Coalition may be able to help, said Joyce Gladstone, the coalition’s president. “The more people you’ve got in your corner the better,” she told Rubilotta at one point. Gladstone said a presentation of the plan to the coalition may help make that happen.

Meanwhile,  the planning board’s chair, George Branyan, suggested some routing tweaks along the middle leg of the bike route, which cuts through the parking lot behind the community center and a path alongside Old Greenbelt’s ball fields before reuniting with Crescent Road. 

“I like the (overall) concept a lot,” said Branyan, who showed up to the meeting toting a bike helmet. Branyan advised Goddard’s planners to stay on Crescent Road throughout. “It’s the most direct route (to the Greenbelt Metro),” he said.

Towards the end of the meeting, Rubilotta said he would like to get the “right coalition together” before moving ahead on the project, which could start as soon as August and be completed by December.

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