The development team caught in the middle of an annexation battle between two Maryland towns is clearly irked by the new drama and isn’t mincing words about how it wants this sudden situation to play out.
Chuck Porcari, part of the development team of Urban Atlantic and Hometeam5 said what Bladensburg is doing in terms of its annexation effort of the old Prince George’s Hospital site goes against everything they’ve spent years working on.
“The development team crafted its winning bid to redevelop the former Prince George’s County Hospital site around the idea of the site evolving into a town square in the heart of Cheverly,” Porcari said. “It has always been our intention to make this project the beating heart of Cheverly.”
The project’s current timelines expect more than a thousand new homes to go with brand-new retail, office space, and a hotel which will all be within a short walk of the Cheverly Metro Station. The $500 million project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Porcari said they’ve been working with a long list of civic groups to get everyone in Cheverly on board with the plans.
“From the issuance of the RFP and the development of this team’s winning response, our efforts have been focused on assuring that Cheverly Hill will be an integral and valued complement to the town of Cheverly,” Porcari said.
How would the project fit into the town of Bladensburg instead?
“Frankly, from our end, it’s difficult to see,” said Porcari.
His team sent a letter this week to the town of Bladensburg that asked town leaders to not move further with this plan.
“The annexation of a proposed development project without any initial discussions with us is highly unusual,” Porcari said, a sentiment that was also repeated almost to the word by Porcari’s developers in a letter to Bladensburg.
“There are fiscal and viability implications for both the jurisdiction seeking annexation and the development project being annexed,” the developers said in the letter.
But the town of Bladensburg isn’t buying it, raising questions about the lack of a preannexation agreement between Cheverly and the developers.
“It seems far more likely that the true intent of the Prince George’s County government is to keep this project outside of any municipal incorporation to safeguard the developer’s financial interests by avoiding additional municipal taxes,” said John O’Connor with the town of Bladensburg.
“It is unrealistic to assume that any developer or business willingly forfeits control and takes on millions of dollars in extra taxes without substantial, enforceable agreements to ensure mutual benefit. The lack of preannexation agreements or binding terms indicates that this project was never intended to be part of Cheverly or any municipality. Annexation would impose significant financial obligations on the developer, which would likely be at odds with their priorities, so Bladensburg wants a postannexation agreement to lessen the developer’s burden.”
A public hearing is scheduled next Thursday in Bladensburg, and a final vote on the matter could follow.
“The evidence strongly suggests that the county intends to shield the developer from municipal obligations while advancing its priorities, often at the expense of Cheverly’s residents,” O’Connor said. “Genuine intent to annex and integrate this project would be reflected in formal commitments and proactive measures — neither of which have materialized, and should have taken place years ago.”
Cheverly has already promised it would take Bladensburg to court over the matter if it proceeds.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
