Westphalia developers admit it's a bad deal for Prince George's (to live, transportation)

[UrbanScholar]

Hmm...this was obvious but it is interesting to see a developer admit it. I also agree with the author that supporting Westphalia before TOD/Inner Beltway/Existing Projects is foolish. If the developer really wants to be more transit oriented then they should be responsible for the bulk of the investment to get there. Not to be self-serving but before the county invest in or supports transportation options there, it should focus on National Harbor and 210 (or even Konterra for that matter). That would have a more immediate impact.

County and state officials have shown no willingness to back away from this
ill-advised project. In fact, they're planning to help the developers out by
building expensive new infrastructure at public expense, even as the county's 15
Metro stations languish from underdevelopment.

Westphalia developers admit it's a bad deal for Prince George's - Greater Greater Washington

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Hmm...this was obvious but it is interesting to see a developer admit it. I also agree with the author that supporting Westphalia before TOD/Inner Beltway/Existing Projects is foolish. If the developer really wants to be more transit oriented then they should be responsible for the bulk of the investment to get there. Not to be self-serving but before the county invest in or supports transportation options there, it should focus on National Harbor and 210 (or even Konterra for that matter). That would have a more immediate impact.

Westphalia developers admit it's a bad deal for Prince George's - Greater Greater Washington

Unfortunately, it will take a zone change. And like the author said, that's a tall order for politicians to walk back their full support. I find it interesting that for the last 4 years, there has been a loud outcry for development at the 15 metro stations and yet, Westphalia has been resurrected. And the developer has the nerve to petition for the FBI. We live in Bizzaro World.

The good news is that Westphalia will have to compete for development among the 15 metro stations. Something tells me they will have a hard time convincing retailers and companies to locate so far away from the DC core when there is so much land to develop inside the Beltway. And if people have an option to live on top of, or within walking distance to metro, Westphalia may lose out. It just may turn out to be a fool's errand for Westphalia developers.