County council approves transfer of Fairmont Heights High School property to redevelopment authority after community push

The Prince George's County Council on April 29 approved CR 41 (draft 2), a resolution declaring specific county properties surplus and directing their disposition; the county will transfer administration of the Fairmont Heights High School parcel to the county's Redevelopment Authority for redevelopment purposes.

Why it matters: Fairmont Heights High School has sat vacant for several years and is historically significant to the community. State Sen. Joanne C. Benson, state Sen. Malcolm Augustine, alumni representatives and film and economic development advocates told the council the property should be stabilized and turned into community-serving uses including a proposed film/studio concept and community amenities that could create jobs and training opportunities.

What the council did: Council members substituted draft 2 for draft 1 (moved by Councilmember Jolene Ivy; seconded by Councilmember Hawkins) and then adopted the resolution (moved by Councilmember Fisher; seconded by Councilmember Hawkins). The roll call on adoption produced a recorded favorable vote; the transcript records the motion carrying 9-0 for final action. The council report noted that, as amended, the plan removes certain District 7 projects during committee review and that the disposition will be administered by the redevelopment authority rather than the Office of Central Services.

Public testimony and local context: State Sen. Joanne Benson described the school's ‘‘history of the Fairmont Heights community' and noted local alumni involvement; Senator Malcolm Augustine said the transfer is "a step in the progression of the rebirth of the historic Fairmont Heights property," and alumni leaders and the Fairmont Heights High School Alumni Association detailed a proposed reuse focused on vocational training, studio space, community meeting rooms, and a museum. Fred Smith, alumni financial secretary and former Fairmont Heights graduate, emphasized job and internship opportunities the proposal could create and urged support for redevelopment that preserves the building's history.

County administration notes: Andrew Rogers, Deputy CAO for Economic Development, told the council the county has pursued a separate disposition agreement tied to $5 million in state funding allocated in the 2024 general assembly to help stabilize the building. Rogers said the county would hold that disposition agreement until the incoming administration takes office as a courtesy, and the council asked for improved internal processes so councilmembers know the intended uses for parcels before surplus declarations.

Next steps: With the council's adoption, the redevelopment authority will administer the disposition process. The administration and the authority are expected to coordinate community engagement and use the available state funds for building stabilization and initial implementation steps; the disposition agreement will be advanced but — per the deputy CAO's statement — held until the new administration is in place.