The town of Bladensburg has reversed its recent controversial annexation of a major Cheverly development site — and the major new tax base it represents — which some worried could derail a half-billion-dollar project in the works there.
The town of Cheverly had long been negotiating with Urban Atlantic and co-developer Hometeam5 on plans to transform the 45-acre former county hospital site at 3001 Hospital Drive into a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use project known as Cheverly Hill. Until, on Dec. 19, local lawmakers in Bladensburg swooped in and initiated the annexation procedure first, essentially beating Cheverly to the punch. Cheverly quickly responded with trio of legal actions, seeking $40 million in damages.
But Bladensburg officials have backed down, announcing Wednesday that the town took steps to “de-annex” the site. Cheverly’s suits filed Jan. 13 in the Prince George’s County Circuit Court remained open as of Jan. 31, according to court records online.
WTOP first reported Bladensburg’s reversal of course, adding that the Maryland Economic Development Corp. is chipping in $200,000 for Bladensburg to study other economic development opportunities.
Click here to read the rest of the story written by Dan Brendel over at Washington Business Journal
