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Bowie council introduces ordinance to buy former Regal Theater after split vote on emergency purchase
Summary
City staff says Bowie entered a purchase-and-sale agreement May 16 for the former Regal Theater site at 15200 Major Lansdale Blvd. Council failed to adopt emergency purchase and budget amendments requiring unanimous approval, then voted to introduce an ordinance and budget amendment for future consideration.
Bowie city officials introduced an ordinance and linked budget amendment on June 2 to acquire the former Regal Theater property at 15200 Major Lansdale Boulevard, but failed to adopt emergency measures that would have allowed immediate closing.
John Henry King, the city’s economic development director, told the council the city entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement on May 16 for the approximately 11.97-acre site and the 55,280-square-foot building at a price of $11,970,000. “And on that, we placed a 10% deposit or $1,197,000. That deposit is nonrefundable,” King said. The purchase and the related emergency budget amendment both required an introduction and, separately, a vote to adopt as emergency measures.
The council voted first on the emergency ordinance authorizing acquisition; the roll call produced four ayes and three nays (Council member Estev: Aye; Council member Rogers: Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Wolfley: Aye; Council member Brady: Aye; Council member Truesdale: Nay; Council member Ndebo Mato: Nay; Mayor Adams: Nay). Because the emergency adoption as drafted required unanimous approval for same-evening adoption, the measure did not pass. The council then voted to strike the emergency recital language and to introduce the ordinance as a regular item to be considered at a subsequent meeting; that introduction passed on a 4–3 vote and the ordinance will return for final action at a later date.
Public comment at the meeting included strong objections to the transaction. Resident Jacques Chevalier said, “The recent Regal Theater real estate transaction by most of the elected council ... is sickening and foul, being thrown to taxpayers,” and urged the council to rescind the deal and seek an investigation. Another resident, Michael Bridges, said he was concerned the purchase appeared “kind of a rush decision under high pressure conditions” and asked for more public financial detail and justification.
Council members were split during discussion. Council member Steff (speaking in favor) urged the city to seize the opportunity, saying that “us owning this property puts us in the driver's seat” to shape future redevelopment adjacent to Bowie Town Center. Councilwoman Angela Mamadou announced she would vote no, calling the purchase “a stand for structural integrity over speculative urgency,” and cited concerns about the city’s reserves, the property’s assessed value, and the absence of a detailed redevelopment plan or committed partners.
Because the council did not adopt the emergency appropriation, city staff said the nonrefundable deposit remains in place and the purchase cannot close until the council takes final action after additional public review. Council members said the item will return at the next regular meeting for further deliberation and a final vote.
