Proposals for three underutilized church properties in Prince George’s County—with concepts ranging from multigenerational housing to a hub for emergency services—are being recognized for outstanding student work by the American Planning Association of Maryland.
The result of a fall 2025 Urban Studies and Planning Graduate studio led by Professor Clara Irazabal, the studio project reframed how the properties serve their surrounding communities while preserving their mission of service. The project team will be honored at the APA MD/MPCA Conference later this month.
A three-month research and community engagement effort helped students identify gaps in surrounding communities and identify ways the properties could continue to meet residents’ needs: food pantries, job training centers, gathering spaces and housing were all possible futures for these sacred community spaces. Beyond concepts, the report offered a detailed roadmap to secure funding, work within zoning regulations and explore tax exemptions.
“The complexity of these properties means they cannot be treated like typical real estate,” said Sarah Hoffman M.C.P. ’26, “but we can reframe them as a chance to secure the property’s mission for the next generation.”