New Mixed-use Development Coming to Prince George's County
News Channel 8
GLENARDEN, Md. - In about a year, Prince George's County will welcome its newest mixed-used development.
The multi-million dollar project is located in Glenarden close to FedExField and other popular retail stores. Developers say what sets the latest addition apart from the rest is its high-end appeal.
So far, some major anchor stores have agreed to make Woodmore Towne Centre their home, and local leaders hope that will mean residents will stay in Prince George's County for all their shopping needs.
"I go to a senior center and they [have to] take us to other places for shopping because you can't always find what you want here," said Vivienne White, a Prince George's County resident.
That has been a common frustration among residents in Prince George's County. But local leaders say that will soon be coming to an end when the Woodmore Towne Centre in Glenarden opens up shop.
"A lot of that spending was leaking out to other jurisdictions so we wanted to make sure we could capture some of that retail activity here in Prince George's County," said Kwasi Holman of the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation.
By fall of 2010, developers say Wegmans, the county's first gourmet grocer, will be the first anchor store. Others will soon follow, including Best Buy and Costco.
"This project will generate to the Prince George's County over 30 years, $250 million," said Phillip Ross of Petrie Ross Ventures.
But the competition isn't far away. In fact, the distance between Woodmore and the Boulevard at the Capital Centre is less than two miles.
"We have greater selection of retail merchandise for the consumer than I believe the [Capital] Centre currently provides," said Ross.
And in light of some needed police presence in neighboring areas, Ross says safety will be a top priority for the new development.
"I approved a program for Woodmore Towne Centre -- a $400,000, closed-circuit security system," he said.
But the promise of high traffic to an already busy corridor isn't welcome news for everyone. "There's already a lot of congestion out here already because in the last couple of years they have built a lot of different developments," said Mary Jones, a Prince George's County resident. "But on an economical side I'm glad about it because it will bring a lot more jobs for people."
The county estimates that hundreds, if not thousands of new jobs will be created by the completion of Woodmore Towne Centre. The area will be comprised of 1,100 residential units and nearly two million square feet of retail and office space.
