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Consultants lay out ambitious ITA sports-tourism and light-industrial concept; commissioners ask for more time
Summary
A conceptual master plan for the Princess Anne ITA would add a multiuse championship stadium, an 11-field tournament complex, a hotel and light industrial/flex space; consultants and staff presented economics and phasing, and commissioners requested more extensive review, public input and a potential special meeting given the project's scale.
A consultant team presented a draft conceptual master plan for the Innovation/Transportation/Athletics area (ITA) near Princess Anne Road and Lansdowne Road that emphasizes sports tourism infrastructure, regional stormwater amenities and targeted light industrial/flex development.
Clay Dills and study partners described a two-tier plan: near-term (10-year) investments to build tournament-ready athletics (conversion of existing fields to turf, two new fields, and an 11-field tournament complex) and longer-term (25-year) infrastructure including a multiuse championship field, up to one hotel site, expanded parking systems and a regional stormwater park that also would serve as public amenity. The consultant cited market studies forecasting room-night demand, job creation and construction cost estimates (e.g., $44.5M for a baseball complex; $12.5M for stadium extension) and argued that phasing, roadway extensions and efficient use of existing parking at amphitheater sites could support year-round tournament play.
Commissioners praised the analysis but stressed the need for more time to review large-scale transportation impacts, tree and wetland protections, infrastructure funding and the plan's relationship to existing small-area plans. Several members urged staff to schedule a dedicated workshop or special meeting because the briefing compressed many complex topics into a short slot and because the plan could have major citywide fiscal and land-use implications. Staff said there were no votes scheduled and that additional public outreach and coordination with parks, economic development and Navy land-use constraints would follow.
The presentation generated detailed technical questions about stormwater footprints, utility easements, the proposed extension of Lansdowne Road, and how the plan would balance sports-tourism revenue with ecological buffers. Commissioners asked staff to return in June with an expanded briefing and recommended giving the public additional opportunities to comment before the commission issues any recommendation to council.
