Prince George’s County is grappling with significant changes, as it has faced some substantial losses this year with the departure of major local attractions.
This past spring, the Washington Commanders announced their decision to leave Northwest Stadium in Landover, their home for three decades, in favor of a new site in the District.
Shortly thereafter, in May, Six Flags Entertainment revealed plans to close its amusement park in Bowie, which had been a staple of the area since 1999.
Adding to the county’s challenges, President Donald Trump has been actively working to disrupt the plans for relocating the FBI headquarters from D.C. to Greenbelt.
The latest developments culminated in July when the FBI announced it would occupy the building vacated by the U.S. Agency for International Development on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Despite these setbacks, county leaders and developers are expressing optimism about the future of two key sites in Prince George’s County.
Speaking at a Bisnow event held at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, Donohoe Hospitality President Thomas Penny emphasized the transformative potential of the recent changes.
He remarked, “When we think about Six Flags and we think about Northwest Stadium, these are projects that will change the future course of the county.”
Newly elected County Executive Aisha Braveboy opened the event by stating that the county is ready to embrace new development and investment opportunities surrounding these changes.
While she did not address the FBI headquarters issue, she highlighted the economic potential of the land formerly occupied by Six Flags and the stadium.
Braveboy pointed out that Six Flags contributed approximately $3 million in annual tax revenue to the county, stating, “Because it was underutilized, and because Six Flags was a place that people would visit but not stay, we really didn’t realize what we could off of that prime real estate.”
Drawing comparisons to National Harbor, a landmark development that generates over $70 million in annual tax revenue, Braveboy expressed her optimism for the county’s future.
“I think we could do that or even better,” she said, conveying her excitement about the potential for redevelopment.
The amusement park is set to close its doors on November 2, and CBRE has already begun marketing the site for redevelopment.
Braveboy detailed ongoing efforts to work with developers to identify new users for the property, maximizing the opportunity to spur economic growth in the region.
With Northwest Stadium, formerly known as FedEx Field, contributing about $14 million annually, Braveboy noted that the Commanders’ lease is up in 2027.
However, since the new stadium in D.C. is not anticipated to be completed until at least 2030, it is likely that the team will opt for a lease extension.
According to reports, the NFL franchise owns the 200-acre Landover site and has plans to demolish the current stadium, aiming to redevelop the land with an economic impact at least equivalent to its previous use.
Braveboy remarked, “What we do know is that the future, again, it’s really bright, and it’s an opportunity for us to be a destination site for the world.”
Currently, developers are eager to capitalize on the economic potential that the county desperately needs.
Banneker Ventures President Omar Karim articulated the necessity for more “destination sites” to boost local economic activity, emphasizing that residents should be able to spend their money within the county rather than traveling elsewhere.
He stated, “Instead of county residents driving to Annapolis or D.C., they could stay and spend their dollars and fuel more investment at home.”
Thomas Penny from Donohoe also urged fellow attendees to actively engage with the forthcoming opportunities.
He highlighted the rarity of such substantial development projects throughout one’s career, stating, “It’s not often in your career that you have a chance to participate in once-in-a-generation development projects.”
Penny further encouraged attendees, particularly those from marginalized communities, to seize this moment, saying, “And so those of us who really want to have a legacy, particularly those of us of color, this is the time.
And it’s important we lean into it and make sure that we can maximize participation and take advantage of it.”
With leaders and developers poised for meaningful transformation, Prince George’s County is looking towards a brighter economic future.
image source from：bisnow
