The Stronach Group entered into an agreement to purchase Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington from Penn National Gaming. Rosecroft Raceway was sold to Penn National Gaming in 2011. The Baltimore Sun reported, “The purchase, from Penn National Gaming, is subject to closing conditions, including approval from the Maryland Racing Commission. But Stronach officials said they expect the deal to be finalized in June. ‘We’re just trying to brand the Maryland Jockey Club and so we’re continuing to expand throughout the state,’ said Sal Sinatra, general manager for the Maryland tracks. ‘We think we can expand what they do down there and make it better.’ Stronach particularly wants to grow its reach in the Washington market, and the simulcast betting facility at Rosecroft is attractive from that standpoint. “It’s a little dated and needs a facelift,” Sinatra said. “I would liken it to what we’ve done at Laurel, bringing in new furniture and flat-screen televisions. We’re trying to take what Penn National left and build it back.”
KLNB Retail brokered the sale of Clinton Plaza, a 210,000 square foot shopping center located at 8899 Woodyard Road in Clinton, Maryland for approximately $20 million. The sale was to a recently formed (2/2016) company named Clinton Investors, LLC; the principal office is located Bryn Mawr PA and Erik Hugus is an authorized member of Clinton Investors, LLC. I’m adding all this information because I was in Fort Washington over the weekend and I personally think that the retail centers are sorely lacking. And the residents shouldn’t have to drive all the way to Brandywine Crossing for shopping. National Harbor, MGM, and Tanger Outlets can not be the only focus for this district. Obie Patterson is the Councilman for District 8 and the other cast of public servants for the Fort Washington/Oxon Hill area are State Senator C. Anthony Muse, State Delegates (District 26), Tony Knotts, Kriselda Valderrama (who I had major trouble contacting in the past), and Jay Walker. Remember these names as you drive past the outdated strip malls and Eastover Shopping Center in Oxon Hill. Citybizlist kept hope alive for the revitalization of Clinton Plaza, “The new owner has acquired a shopping center in an extremely strong location within the Washington DC metropolitan area that has a well-seasoned anchor and several restaurants that consistently achieve tremendous sales,” stated Vito Lupo of KLNB Retail. “Additional leasing activity is expected to occur in the near future, and the ownership group intends to upgrade the overall tenancy of the center over time. All of these activities and market fundamentals will translate to a center that will create long-term value.” Lupo added. First Baptist Church of Glenarden broke ground on a new family life center on Friday, May 13th. Set to open in late 2017, that’s right around the corner, the state of the art, $20 million facility will serve as a health and wellness center for the surrounding area. From Afro Newspaper, “The Family Life Center will include more than 63,000 square feet of space and feature three indoor basketball courts with performance platforms, an indoor running track, fitness room and three multi-purpose conference rooms… The center will also house the church’s 10 Amateur Athletic Union basketball teams and support large crowds during tournaments. “It’s about giving our children a safe place to work and live and learn,” [Pastor John] Jenkins said. Designed by Grimm and Parker, a sustainable energy architecture firm, half of the center will be powered by solar energy sourced from a solar farm to be built directly behind the center. Construction of the center is expected to take 18 months.
National Harbor is having a job fair Tuesday, May 24th 10-4pm at Oxon Hill Manor. Over 50 National Harbor businesses, including hotels, restaurants, service providers, and Tanger Outlet Retail Brands will be looking to hire all positions.
There’s also job fair for Bowie’s redeveloped Bowie Marketplace happening Friday, May 20th, 10am to 1pm at the Bowie Ice Arena, 3330 Northview Dr, Bowie, MD 20716. The job fair is hosted by Berman Enterprises, developer of Bowie Marketplace, and the City of Bowie. Some of the participating employers include Harris Teeter, Great Clips, MOD Pizza, Tropical Smoothies, and the Bowie Police Department. The City of Bowie Human Resource Office and Prince George’s One-Stop Career Center will be available for any job related questions. To contact the Prince George’s One-Stop Career Center, please call (301) 618-8425.
If you’re like me and drive to Largo Town Center Metro Station, you’ve seen the emerging development of a big building right next to the station. I was told by a fellow commuter, let’s call her Bitter Betty, that the building is for apartments. Don’t know why she was so doggone appalled by that or why she was so very bitter about Maryland in general, but she really didn’t like that Ascend Apollo Apartments are being built. To her and her crazy ilk I say this: MOVE!! Ascend Appollo broke ground in October 2015 on its 850-unit structure. These A class apartments will link directly to Metro and feature three courtyards, a cyber cafe, floor to ceiling windows, walk-in closets, on-site management, a parking garage, club lounge with a double-sided fireplace/kitchen & bar seating, gameroom, pet spa (do NOT ask me what that is) and complimentary morning coffee or tea. DEAL WITH THAT BITTER BETTY!! I don’t have rent prices yet but comparable in that area properties have rent that ranges from $1200-$2300 a month.
Konterra Town Center
Bisnow listed the 7 Prince George’s Projects that you need to know about. On the list are Konterra Town Center, the behemoth development in Laurel that will rival Tysons Corner; Downtown New Carrollton, where I keep encouraging people to buy homes before it gets way popular because it has real diversity and authentic food; FBI Headquarters; Largo Hospital Campus; University of Maryland and Rt. 1 corridor; Riverdale Park Station, home of our first Wholefoods; and of course MGM. I would add to this list Westphalia Town Center in Upper Marlboro and the Peterson Bros. development which they are building right next door to MGM at National Harbor. In addition to having an enclosed walkway to the MGM Hotel, the 16-story building will have 500 hotel rooms, over 700 apartments, timeshare rentals and 22k SF of retail, 22k square feet of entertainment-related space, and restaurant space.
College Park, MD is steamrolling its way into being a major college town. The University of Maryland announced plans to redevelop the Quality Inn at 7200 Baltimore Avenue, and several adjacent businesses, into a grocery-anchored, mixed-use community featuring upscale residences, restaurants and retail. The development is going to be a town center complete with 300 luxury apartments; I have a hard time picturing a town center in that space but, ok. It’s being modeled after the Brookland-Catholic University, Monroe Street corridor in Northeast D.C.; I used to live in that neighborhood. Oh how it has changed. Bozzuto, Willard Retail, and the University of Maryland College Park Foundation will collaborate to acquire the Quality Inn anchored property in early 2017. This $110 million project is a signature piece of the University’s Greater College Park initiative, an ongoing effort that includes 19 projects and 7 restaurants that will fuse the revitalization of the Baltimore Avenue corridor and University of Maryland campus.
Last but not least:
New dentist office opened in Hyattsville/Chillum Road area. Healthy Dental is veteran owned business that is completely digital. They serve adults and children and has a kids area to keep the lil munchkins busy (and quiet). They accept most PPOs, Medicaid/Medicare, walk-ins are welcome, online appointments are available. Support PGCo businesses
20th Century Fox is producing a movie from a novel that was published by Raw Dog Screaming Press, a BOWIE, MARYLAND business. Jennifer Barnes and John Lawson are the owners of Bowie, MD publishing company Raw Dog Screaming Press. The movie will be based on Wraiths of the Broken Land, a book published in 2013 by Raw Dog Screaming Press. Hoping to recreate its success from The Martian 20th Century Fox is again pairing Scott with screenwriter Drew Goddard. Producers Simon Kinberg, Michael Schaefer, and Aditya Sood are returning to work on Wraiths, completing The Martian’s creative team. EXCITING NEWS!!
I’ve lived in Fort Washington,Tantallon South since 2001 and have seen little revitalization other than more new homes when many existing home are not appreciating or have recovered from the 2008-2012 mortgage bubble.
Only main roads or roads leading to the National Harbor and upcoming MCM are being resurfaced as well as sidewalks properly repaired. There is actually a walking and biking trail/access. These public servants are not representing all of the Fort Washington residents. (Obie Patterson is the Councilman for District 8 and the other cast of public servants for the Fort Washington area are State Senator C. Anthony Muse, State Delegates (District 26), Tony Knotts, Kriselda Valderrama and Jay Walker.
Fort Washington home owners, remember these names when its time to vote as you drive past the outdated mall on Livingston Rd, with only a Giant as you watch your property taxes increase without so much as timely accountability to banks to repair and resale vacated homes or park and planning providing timely or decent mowing of park property. I’ll remember these names every time I ride the raggedy roads going to my home or when I have to go to Charles County or VA to access products not available in my own community. District 8 public servants, what’s on the budget to fix our roads and sidewalks. What’s being done to make our community more attractive, to help our property investment grow. What about that trash can?
I am so so so excited for Harris Teeter in Bowie! I have been ordering online then driving from Crofton to Laurel to pick it up. I might start camping out for the grand opening now.
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! I get the details about PG County! Its been a long time coming, but I like to hear about the positive development.
Just finished reading and I am happily exhausted from all of the good news about growth and investment in out county. Thank you!