Screaming Eagles, Barra Brava, los Norteños, and other DC United fans,
Thank you for writing to express your support of stadium-anchored transit-oriented development in Prince George’s County. I am unhappy to report that House Bill 1282
– which would have allowed the Maryland Stadium Authority, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Prince George’s County to study and make recommendations on this new facility for America’s most successful soccer team, DC United
– will not pass this year.
Though I represent part of Montgomery County in the Maryland General Assembly, I feel strongly that the health and vitality of communities in many jurisdictions are interdependent. Growth in the Washington metropolitan area is primarily regional, and underdevelopment in Prince George’s County leads to additional pressure on neighborhoods closer to home. You need only look as far as the Capital Beltway and US-50 to see that development patterns over the last several decades have left Prince George’s County with more residents than jobs. During morning rush hour, thousands head towards Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and the District because growth there has mostly meant affordable housing for those working in other jurisdictions, a pattern that has created more needs than a narrowly residential tax base can support.
As the metropolitan area continues to grow, Prince George’s County can add employment centers and retail opportunities efficiently and sustainably by locating new development in areas with existing infrastructure. In fact, fifteen of our region’s most valuable transportation assets
– Metrorail stations
– are currently underutilized in Prince George’s County.
DC United and its owners, MacFarlane Partners, understand that potential. After being approached by the County, they proposed partnering with the County and State on a soccer stadium and concert venue that would have anchored and catalyzed a new urban mixed-use neighborhood at a Metrorail station in the heart of the County’s developed tier. This transit-oriented development would have also include homes, shops, and offices, all integrally connected to the rest of Prince George’s.
Unfortunately, this legislation will not pass, and we will have to wait until early next year to see if anything might be done to revive the idea. I hope you will stay in touch on this and other priorities.
Best,
Heather
~~~~~~~~~~
Heather R. Mizeur
Delegate, Maryland General Assembly
20th Legislative District
heather.mizeur@house.state.md.us
Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street, Room 219
Annapolis, MD 21401
(301) 858-3493 Annapolis office
(301) 270-0064 Silver Spring office
(301) 858-3445 fax