The city of Hyattsville may be facing a new era as it gears up to elect City Council members.

On April 19, a forum was held at the Hyattsville Municipal Building to allow each candidate an opportunity to share their ambitions and intentions if granted a seat in the council. There are 12 candidates in the race, with two seats per ward.

The forum moderators presented the group of candidates with questions as they answered in round circle fashion. Issues presented included community development, economic diversity, parking and youth engagement. It was a closed forum as the audience was not able to ask questions.

According to a current 2016-2017 census provided by surburbanstats.org, Black or African Americans make up about 35 percent of the city’s population or roughly 6,258 residents. Little of that population, however, was reflected among community members present in the audience.

Parking served as a hot topic during the forum, as audience members were extremely engaged and candidates offered comments and pitched possible solutions.

“In terms of issues, the development that’s going on and the increasing traffic and congestion and the parking issues that accompany that, are concerns personally,” Ward 3 resident Scotty Brian said during the meeting.

Both of Brian’s cars have been damaged while parked on the one-way street where he resides due to narrow spacing and lack of off-street parking.

Candidate Erica Spell proposed the idea of reconstructing currently dilapidated buildings into parking garages to resolve the limited on-street parking. However, candidate Bart Lawrence of Ward 1 argued that additional parking garages will only bring an increase in city congestion and traffic, complicating the original issue.

Housing played as another major topic of interest, as Hyattsville residents have undergone the economic changes of increased rents, living cost and overcrowding – as has the rest of the Washington metropolitan area.

Candidate Talib Karim stressed his concern and desire to place more affordable single-family homes in the city of Hyattsville in addition to other affordable home options. Audience members seemed to have a problem with his delivery, however, as one audience member blurted out, “Stop yelling!” as the candidate answered a question given by the moderators.

On housing, other candidates repeated the same sentiment that it will be a matter of time, and strategic trial and error that will bring about the best resolution to housing issues within Hyattsville.

Hyattsville resident William Hargraves said he was pleased with the candidates and the forum, which was hosted by The Hyattsville Life and Times.

“I saw quite a few of them that I liked and their answers,” said Hargraves, a Ward 4 resident.

Candidates running for election in Ward 1 are Ian Herron, Talib Karim, and the incumbent, Bart Lawrence. Ward 2 currently has only Robert Croslin running unopposed. Ward 3 candidates are Vinni Anandham, Ayanna D. Shivers and Carrianna Suiter. Ward 4 candidates are Shirley Ann Bender and Edouard Haba, who currently holds the seat. Ward 5 candidates are Derrika Durant, Erica Spell and Ben Zeitler.

The Hyattsville City Council election is slated for Tuesday, May 2.