Fairmont Heights One Step Closer to Becoming Film Studio
Fairmont Heights High School’s original site has taken one more step towards becoming a film studio, after the Prince George’s County Council declared the site “surplus property.”
The former high school building was transferred to the Redevelopment Authority, alongside 22 other properties, following a resolution introduced by County Councilmembers Calvin Hawkins (D) and Wanika Fisher (D-District 2). A film studio is prepared to purchase the property from the Redevelopment Authority.
State Senator Joanne C. Benson (D-District 24) spoke before the Council in support of the bill, particularly for what it means for the Fairmont Heights community.
“I’ve been around for over 50 years, I’ve watched the history of the Fairmont Heights community. We are concerned,” said Benson. “I am a staunch supporter of the Fairmount Heights Alumni Association, which has over 13,000 members.”
She recalled the moment school officials and other leaders learned the school would be closing.
“Almost everyone in the room began to cry. We care so much about the historical legacy of the school. The school has been sitting, and the FHAA has been working for nearly seven years to ensure that we have something that will make the community proud,” Benson continued. “I am proud to support this resolution.”
While some residents, including former Delegate Faye Martin Howell, wanted the site to become a vocational training center, other residents applaud the decision and see it as an investment in the community and the youth.
“It’s not just going to be a company that is producing films, but it’s going to allow people to learn all of the various aspects of what it takes to make a film,” said Fred Smith of the Fairmount Heights Alumni Association (FHAA). “It’s also going to be an opportunity for even the students to learn the new items that one needs to be successful if you want to work in the film industry.”
Smith and other members of the FHAA believe this conversion will serve the community well.
“That is a good thing because it was a school, and it still is a school, even though it’s going to be transformed. But it’s still going to be an educational facility, and that’s the thing that we like about it. It’s going to be an educational facility as well as a filmmaking studio,” he continued.
Propane Explosion Leads to Cancellation of Laurel Parade
A propane explosion led to one person’s hospitalization and the cancellation of Laurel’s Main Street Festival Parade.
According to officials, the explosion occurred at the intersection of 4th and Main Streets during vendor setup.
The parade was canceled but the festival was still held, with one street blocked off for safety.
Both fire investigators and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) crews were called to the scene and Laurel police closed Main Street to traffic.
“As the Congressman representing Laurel, my thoughts are with everyone affected by this morning’s propane tank explosion in Downtown Laurel. One individual was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and the fire has been contained,” said U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) on May 10.
He also expressed thanks to emergency responders and city officials for acting quickly and assured residents that safety is a top priority.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more details become available,” said Ivey. “Our community’s safety remains our top priority.”Despite the explosion, one social media user wrote on a festival Instagram post: “ Awesome turnout and festivities today.”
