Census shows La Plata growth is slowing

Projects in pipeline mean relief won’t last

Friday, July 11, 2008

The Census Bureau’s population estimates that were released Thursday indicate that 108 new people moved to La Plata between 2006 and 2007 — the lowest growth rate this decade, according to a Census Bureau press release. The town’s population has increased from 6,551 in 2000 to 8,787 in 2007.

Residential building in La Plata has hit a lull, but that trend is not expected to continue, said Ward 1 Councilman Jim Goldsmith.

‘‘That’s a surprising statistic,” he said. ‘‘My guess is it’s the calm before the storm. That data probably doesn’t reflect the growth that’s going to take place in the future.”

That observation is probably correct because of the number of homes that are slated to be built in town, including the Villages of SteepleChase off U.S. 301, Stagecoach Crossing on Old Stagecoach Road and the Heritage Green mixed-use development off Rosewick Road. Heritage Green will contain more than 3,000 residences.

Ward 2 Councilman Scot Lucas said he’s not sure that the anticipated building boom in town is actually going to take place. The recent slow growth in town is a reflection of the housing market across the state because of the flagging economy.

‘‘It’s just an overall trend right now,” he said. ‘‘With the way the housing market is right now people aren’t moving. It’s a statewide thing.

‘‘I guess we’ll see if the market can bear all of the residences proposed for La Plata,” he said. ‘‘They’re not going to continue to build homes if there’s no market for them.”

The town saw its biggest jump in population during the last decade between 2003 and 2004 when 538 new people moved to La Plata, according to Census Bureau data.

Goldsmith said that the rise in population can probably be attributed to the construction of King’s Grant on Route 488.

Mayor Gene Ambrogio said that he is pleased that people are still choose La Plata as their home.

‘‘We’re blessed to have those additional people,” he said.

Indian Head saw a fairly impressive jump in population between 2006 and 2007, with 159 new people moving to town.

Indian Head’s population rose from 3,442 to 3,776 during the last decade, according to the Census Bureau.

The Indian Head Town Council has been trying for years to attract more residential and commercial developers to the town and those efforts are finally bearing fruit, said Mayor Dennis Scheessele.

‘‘It’s a reflection of the modest growth that we’ve had in town over the last several years,” he said. ‘‘It’s good news. It shows some hope that we’ll be able to bring some economic development back into town.”

There are several new communities that are either under construction or have just been completed in Indian Head, including the Riverwatch and Riverwatch Commons developments set along the Potomac River.

Riverwatch contains a mix of 70 to 80 single-family homes and townhouses and Riverwatch Commons when it is completed will hold 70 townhouse units, Scheessele said.

In addition, the Villages of Potomac at Indian Head on the site of the former Indian Head Elementary School on Route 210 that contains 76 condominiums was also recently completed.

River Terrace that will contain 100 condominiums along the Potomac River and about 20 carriage houses set away from the shoreline behind the former Super Fresh grocery store on Route 210, is in the planning stage, the mayor said.

There are a couple of commercial enterprises being proposed for town, as well, Scheessele said. One project would sit between Mattingly Avenue and the gates of the Naval Surface Warfare Center on Route 210. The building will hold a commercial establishment on the ground floor and condominiums and apartments on the upper floors.

The former Indian Head Furniture store at the ‘‘top of the hill” on Route 210 is also being eyed for redevelopment, the mayor said. The developer has gutted the building and plans to market the property for office space.

Growth in Indian Head is welcome because it will help the council eventually recruit a national food store chain to the town, Scheessele said.

‘‘I would like to see low to moderate managed growth continue that will bring in some commercial development that will support it,” he said.

On a much lighter note, the Village of Port Tobacco’s population has remained steady over the past 10 years, according to the Census Bureau. There was a tiny spurt of growth, jumping the village’s population from 15 people in 2000 to the present 19 residents.