Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker told WTOP recently that Greenbelt has the most potential in the county for a new FBI headquarters, saying "we're pushing very hard."
But Baker is not alone in the bid for the federal institution: he told the station it's coming down to a battle across the Beltway between Maryland and Virginia.
Loudoun County officials are salivating at the prospect of wooing a $1.2 billion complex and nearly 12,000 jobs its way, according to the Washington Post. And some Fairfax County officials have urged the FBI to take up shop in a General Services Administration-owned building next to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station.
Facing a long-derided structure that no longer meets its needs, the FBI is considering other options, including relocation. But the idea of having the institution of the Beltsville Agricultureal Research Center had some Greenbelt residents and officials .
If BARC was out of the picture, would citizens welcome the FBI to Greenbelt proper?
In May, Greenbelt Councilmember Rodney Roberts expressed strong opposition to the FBI taking up a BARC location. But he was not ruffled by the idea of having its headquarters in town.
"I would love to have [the FBI] on the South Core of the Metro stop," Roberts told Patch, referring to the jobs the move would bring.
What do you think about the prospect of the FBI moving its headquarters to Greenbelt? Tell us in the comments.
It really is not important where it is located on what is, otherwise, "open" land. This is: more quallity jobs, better positive housing growth and sales, a greater sense of community security and so much more for the 21st Century that Greenbelt needs! If the City Council shuffles its feet, debates placement, etc. County Executive Baker and the County Council should take the matter out of Greenbelt's hands in terms of influence and place it in Greenbelt in whatever location it thinks best. I fear our Council will debate this to death and lose a vital "game-changing" investment in the complete and successful future of our city. Now is NOT the time for the typical Greenbelt hand-wringing over "where" something goes because of some trees or green spaces being eliminated. This is the best thing that could happen for our city and its shrinking tax base in well over half a century, if not longer.
Danny, you are hilarious. Maybe they haven't caught wind of it yet. I do have a conspiracy theory about what truly motivates them. I was reading an article a while back about NIMBYism and was made aware of a type of sabotage where local residents are paid to protest and organize against development in order to benefit third parties. There are actually companies that specialize in this and their tactics are more complicated than I can recall. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if MoCo or NoVa have employed such tactics against PG.
and going with mixed use development with smaller stores. Laurel Mall is an example. Also, if you recall, Simon Properties originally proposed an enclosed regional mall for Bowie, and ended up with a open town center concept. The Springfield Mall is gutting the enclosed parts and will leave only Macys, Target and Penny's standing. It will then fill in with one story stores and eateries. In addition, Landmark Mall is facing the same fate. In Marylalnd, Bowie Town Center is losing stores to the new retail cluster up the road on 30l in Crofton where the new Wegman,s is going.
Those famous NIMBY folks have already voiced disapproval of any plan to use the excess Ag land in such a way, because it was not at the Metro.
Metro is the only site.