A Sept. 29 meeting at the Lexington Park Library offered business owners and active citizens a platform to create a new association in Lexington Park. The initial plan, supported by Robin Finnacom of the Community Development Corporation and Dr. Bob Schaller of the Department of Economic and Community Development, invited the formation of a new association for the Great Mills Road and Lexington Park areas that will be directly affected by the revitalization projects underway.

Finnacom placed seats in a circle and invited merchants and citizens to join in the discussion.  Schaller told the group, “One of the benefits that comes from this is: you get a voice.”

The group included several owners of familiar businesses in the area, like Taylor Gas, PJ’s Auto Body, Linda’s Cafe, A & E Motel and The Donut Connection. Represantatives from the Department of Human Services and the St. Mary’s Office of the Sheriff sat in as well. The group shared their enthusiam and ideas about shaping the association to include not only businesses, but neighborhoods and community anchors, like the library and Bay District Voluntunteer Fire Department.

Several critical issues  were discussed like the homelessness in the area, the aggressive panhandling in front of the businesses, and the anticipated growth of housing and businesses in the area. Frank Taylor, the Chairman of SMC Chamber of Commerce and owner of Taylor Gas, offered details about the Chamber’s task force that is addressing blight and degraded properties in the area. He said, “The opinion of this group would certainly be important to this task force.”

Schaller said, “These issues seem so simple, but they’re not.” He agreed with the group’s sentiments that outreach and enforcement are needed to deter behaviors up and down Great Mills Road that theraten the safety of the community.

Finnacom suggested that the group communicate with the Sheriff’s Office, to report such problems that affect their business. She also urged the group to participate in the “active discussions that are steering decisions on how land is being redeveloped.” Finnacom also told the group about the newsletter she plans to use to keep everyone abreast of the phased construction plans and road closures from the Great Mills Road Project. “The last thing we want to do is lose the strength of our businesses during this project.”

The group said they would like to model their association after the successful Leonardtown Business Association and promote a community spirit with holiday event participation.

The BDVFD’s First Vice President R. Keith Fairfax said, “We want to be a good neighbor in every aspect of it.” Fairfax detailed past projects that focused on the community and urged the group to recapture that mentality.

This new group, Schaller said, “will evolve, and is critical with the economy the way it is.”

Finnacom said the next meeting will be held at the BDVFD Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the brand new Lexington Park Busineess and Community Association, upcoming meetings and how to get get involved, contact the Community Development Coprporation at 240-725-5786.