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Bowie council rejects emergency ordinance to buy 15200 Major Lansdale Boulevard
Summary
After public comment and council discussion, the Bowie City Council voted to reject emergency ordinance O5-25, which would have authorized the city to acquire roughly 11.97 acres at 15200 Major Lansdale Boulevard for $11,970,000; council members said more deliberation and a clear economic-development plan are needed.
The Bowie City Council on Monday voted to reject emergency ordinance O5-25, which would have authorized the city to acquire roughly 11.97 acres at 15200 Major Lansdale Boulevard for $11,970,000.
The ordinance would have implemented a purchase-and-sale agreement executed May 16 that included a nonrefundable deposit of $1,197,000. City staff presented the item as eligible for adoption after a public hearing; the council heard three speakers in person and received eight emailed comments on the measure before voting to kill the ordinance by voice vote with no opposition.
The measure drew objections from residents who spoke at the public hearing. “I’m recommending you vote no,” said Michael Bridges, a resident who urged the council to delay the purchase and conduct more detailed cost‑benefit analysis before spending tens of millions of dollars. Millie Hall and Priscilla Bergner also asked the council to reject the acquisition and said the city needed a clearer economic‑development strategy before committing large sums of taxpayer money.
John Henry King, the city’s economic development director, told the council the item was before them for action and that the city had entered a purchase-and-sale agreement on May 16. King said the acquisition price was $11,970,000 and that the city had made the nonrefundable $1,197,000 deposit.
Multiple council members said the idea of the city buying the property was understandable but that the process had moved too quickly without a unified economic‑development plan. One councilmember described the proposal as a “bold attempt” to preserve control of a corridor near Bowie Town Center but acknowledged the city lacked agreement on a cohesive development approach. Councilmember Anda Bhamadu (District 4) said, “this was always a bad deal,” arguing the council had rushed into the transaction without adequate due diligence or a strategy.
Members cited concerns that, if the city did not act cautiously, the property would default to other buyers (including faith‑based buyers) in a way that could complicate the city’s efforts to attract private investment to the town center. Several councilmembers called for creation of a formal economic‑development plan, closer collaboration with Prince George’s County economic development programs, and a standing fund to support targeted revitalization and attract anchor tenants.
After discussion, a motion to reject adoption of the emergency ordinance was moved and seconded. The council voted by voice; the mayor called for the ayes, heard “Aye,” heard no opposed responses and declared the motion carried.
Council members said they plan to continue discussions with the property owner and pursue a longer process for any future acquisition, while prioritizing a citywide economic‑development plan and potential county and state funding partnerships.
The council adjourned to a closed session later in the meeting to discuss personnel and legal matters, citing Maryland Annotated Code General Provisions authority for the closed session.
