On A Busy Saturday in Largo, County Permitting Leaders Traded Inboxes for Face-to-Face Conversations—And Showed Residents and Entrepreneurs That Change Is Coming.

Story and Photography By Raoul Dennis

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS APPEAR COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

By the time the doors opened on Saturday, Sept. 12, the line outside made the message clear: Prince George’s County residents and business owners were ready to talk permits. Some arrived as early as 9:30 a.m., bringing plans, questions and memories of a process that had tested their patience. Inside the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, the mood felt less like a government waiting room and more like a community workshop. Permit Palooza was underway.

**PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EXECUTIVE AISHA BRAVEBOY**

“Today is about action,” said Prince George’s County Executive Braveboy in the center of the department lobby at the start of the event. “It’s about ensuring that we are meeting the needs of our residents. And you all absolutely help our county to grow. Whether it’s a business or a resident being able to get your permits [in a timely fashion]. It helps with the overall economy as well, because we have folks who are employed to help you achieve your goals.”

Braveboy, who campaigned on evolving and improving the department and who, once elected, became known at the department for her hands-on approach, was sure to mention her commitment to DPIE and the unique opportunity created by having the community come to their doors on a Saturday.

“I’m excited that DPIE has opened its doors on a Saturday,” Braveboy continued. “It’s unprecedented. I told the director as soon as I got in [office], I said, ‘Look, we’re going to work to fix DPIE. You tell me what you need, and I’m going to get it to you.’ And that’s what I’ve done.”

For DPIE Director Dawit Abraham, the open house offered a chance to meet customers face to face on a Saturday. Most permitting work is now paperless, he explained, allowing applicants to upload plans electronically. That convenience matters, but it cannot replace every conversation. Permit Palooza lets customers ask questions and meet the people behind the screens.

“This is part of our outreach,” Abraham said, emphasizing the department’s goal of making sure customers understand the permitting process. The turnout quickly validated the idea. Organizers expected about 75 participants; Abraham estimated that roughly 100 people had come through. For a Saturday morning, it was a bright sign that the public wanted access, answers and a more direct relationship with the agency.

Chief of Business Development Charles H. Cooper said the first job was to create the right environment.

“We didn’t know who would show up,” he said, “but we wanted to create the environment to let the community know that we’re here.”

That meant opening the Permit Center for people who cannot visit Monday through Friday, offering training before applicants enter the formal process, and introducing customers to staff members they might otherwise know only through email.

The crowd reflected the county itself. Cooper saw mom-and-pop entrepreneurs, established business owners and residents seeking guidance for home projects—including a homeowner trying to build a deck.

“It’s been a really diverse group,” he said.

Permitting touches nearly every corner of county life, from home improvements and first storefronts to major development.

**Chief of Business Development Charles H. Cooper** **(left) and DPIE Director Dawit Abraham**

Permit Palooza also carried the weight of history. For years, applicants have complained about slow reviews, unclear requirements, repeated delays and difficulty determining where a project stood. For homeowners, a deck or renovation could become a discouraging maze. For small-business startups, delays could mean rent paid on an unopened space, financing under pressure and jobs postponed.

Commercial projects could stall, limiting investment and feeding the perception that Prince George’s County was harder to build in than neighboring jurisdictions. The bottlenecks restrained growth and left a bad taste with customers who needed government to help them move forward.

Abraham acknowledged that change required more than a one-day event. He pointed to the automation and modernization of the permitting system, saying the county has “come a long way” in improving the process and speeding permit issuance.

Just as important, he said, was the feedback gathered during the open house. Some attendees did not arrive with an active permit problem at all; they came to talk, learn and share their experiences. Abraham said he intended to use that feedback to continue improving service.

Cooper described a more tailored approach now taking shape. DPIE has launched a Permit Rapid Response Team for large commercial and high-impact development, along with a fast-track pathway for small businesses occupying 5,000 square feet or less. The small-business program is meant for entrepreneurs struggling to navigate the process, while the commercial track focuses attention on major projects.

“We’re public servants first, and we’re here to help,” Cooper said.

That distinction is crucial as the county prepares for headline-making development, including the proposed Sphere at National Harbor and redevelopment of the former Six Flags America property. Abraham said DPIE is prepared to tackle large projects “while not forgetting our small-business customers.”

Cooper noted that major commercial applicants often have more resources; newer outreach is designed to give small businesses contacts, guidance and a clearer route through county government.

The director redirected praise toward the employees who gave up part of their weekend.

“It’s not me, it’s my staff,” Abraham said.

His ambition, he added, is to run “an honorable department” and a “first-class” organization. At Permit Palooza, that ambition took a practical form: a question answered, a resident taking notes, an entrepreneur learning whom to call.

One member of the DPIE staff, Vincent Parker, who serves as the associate director of permitting and licensing, brought Abraham’s words to life. Faced with a room full of residents and small business owners, many of whom were anxious about their projects and investments, Parker charismatically managed the workshop session on permitting. As hand fans were passed around to accommodate the small standing-room-only audience, he consistently inspired laughter and high spirits as he instructed listeners – even when he talked about making payments.

Parker, a lifelong county resident, knew the crowd and loves his job.

“I'm really passionate about the work that I do because I see the impact in the real world,” he says. “We build schools, we build commercial buildings, and help people build houses.”

At one time, Parker did similar work in another jurisdiction. He says now it’s rewarding to do this work in the community where he lives.

“It was fine, but I wasn’t from there. I didn’t see it in my own community. So, working here in Prince George’s County, I really love the fact that I can see how what I do helps my community,” says the District Heights resident. He helped work on the renovations at Suitland High School. “I can see Suitland High School; I know people that go there. I have a connection to that project in the real world, and that gives me passion for the work that I do.”

Parker was among many who counted the day as a success.

“Today was a great turnout,” he says. “The team should be commended. The majority of the people came with positive attitudes, with good questions. They came trying to get solutions, and we were able to provide those solutions for people to get good outcomes on their projects. I think it was a great event, and it's probably going to be something that will lead to more, I would guess.”

Abraham said the strong response makes future Saturday sessions worth considering—perhaps monthly or twice a month, depending on budget and staffing. He sees a productive cycle: more assistance can lead to more permits; more permits can lead to more businesses; and more businesses can strengthen the county’s tax base and capacity to serve.

Permit Palooza did not erase years of frustration in one morning. It did something more believable: it opened the door. By listening and designing faster paths for projects large and small, DPIE offered a glimpse of permitting as a gateway instead of a bottleneck.

The line outside showed that residents and entrepreneurs were willing to keep trying—and the hospitality and dedication inside showed that the county seems ready to try new ways to make it work.

The Celestial Church of Christ’s Pastor, Dr. Leo, a Braveboy voter, says he’s glad to see the progress being made and hopes that the county will continue working to improve the system. He believes the process is more streamlined in other jurisdictions, and he’d like to see more of that in Prince George’s.

“If they really follow the process and the promise, I think it’s a good way to be faster with the permits,” said Antonia Popoola, who says she has been trying to get an expansion for Celestial Church of Christ, for nearly three years. She says the loss of time has negatively affected membership. “But if they stick to what they are doing, it should get better.”

For More Information, go to: Contact DPIE at 301-636-2000 or DPIEPIO@co.pg.md.us.