Greenbelt Station Plans Remain in “Incubation”

Development plans over some 78 acres of land abutting the Greenbelt Metro Station remain in a state of “incubation,” a representative on behalf of WMATA informed the city council last night.

“Things aren’t really happening,” said Nat Bottigheimer, assistant general manager of Metro’s Department of Planning and Joint Development.

The mixed-use project that could be partially usurped by a federal building has seen no shortage of snags, long stalled by several issues dating back more than a decade.

Some of those include bribery charges involving the eventual downfall of former County Executive Jack Johnson, pushback from environmentalists and recently dismissed litigation between Metro and a third-party developer.

Metroland Developers, recently implicated in the bribery of county officials, will remain Metro’s developer in a joint development agreement that may stretch into 2014. Yet it remains to be seen how this land will be used, as Bottigheimer provided the council with few firm answers.

According to agreement documents, Metroland has been afforded a “time extension” to compete for a major federal office tenant” for the site. The agreement also “requires the Developer to involve local communities in the planning process for the site, including the review of site plans.” 

A lot depends on market conditions, Bottigheimer pointed out, adding that a mixed-use development would ideally be mirrored after the Clarendon neighborhood in Arlington. Should a federal tenant take the land’s place, he added, something on par with the Department of Transportation’s layout in Washington, D.C., could make sense.

“It’s not bad looking,” he said, calling the building both structurally and aesthetically appropriate.

Mayor Judith “J” Davis queried Bottigheimer over Metro’s ongoing relationship with Metroland, asking whether new people have replaced those involved in a bribery and extortion scheme that rocked all quarters of the county.

Councilman Rodney Roberts voiced the same concern, asking whether ongoing FBI investigatory efforts in relation to Metroland have given Metro pause going forward.

Bottigheimer made clear that Metro has been very careful with the developer, yet called an “absence of (further) information” from the FBI  insufficient “justification” to sever all ties with the developer at this time.

Even though some principals involved in the bribery scheme may still be working within the company, asked Roberts.

Bottigheimer said WMATA shares “very grave concerns” about possible corruption, but added that WMATA has been very careful. “Believe me,” he said. “We’re very cautious about these things.”

Resident Bill Orleans also weighed in during the work session, asking whether the current agreement with Metroland contains a “character clause” allowing either party to pull out should serious malfeasances be discovered.

Yes, Bottigheimer responded.

Orleans said Metro should then consider withdrawing from the contract, and seek out a fresh relationship with a new developer.