After the closure of Six Flags America in Bowie earlier this month, Prince George’s County officials say they want the land to become a year-round attraction.
As the site is up for sale, District 5 council member Wala Blegay and County Executive Aisha Braveboy said the land’s redevelopment is an opportunity to improve the county’s economic growth.
“We are excited about the redevelopment of the 500-acre Six Flags site,” Braveboy said at a press conference Thursday. “We know that the next development project that will be there will be a year-round project that will generate thousands of jobs and opportunities for Prince Georgeians and beyond.”
Six Flags chief executive Richard Zimmerman said in a May news release the company closed the Maryland location because it no longer fit with its long-term growth plan and selling the property would produce more income than continuing operations.
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Blegay told The Diamondback potential buyers placed bids in August on the site, and its current owners are expected to make their final decision in January.
She envisions the site becoming a commercial destination like the National Harbor in Oxon, with retail, entertainment and sports options for residents. Blegay added she has already spoken to prospective developers about her ideas for the land.
“Most of the top bidders did already reach out to my office and get an idea of what I wanted,” Blegay said. “They seem to be on board and very open and so I’m positive that whoever comes out would be somebody that we can work with.”
Blegay said the park generates about $3 million in tax revenue for the county. She sees the site having the capability to bring in similar funds to what the National Harbor does at $73 million.
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Upper Marlboro resident Frederick Tutman said the suggestion for another large shopping center in the area is not sustainable or beneficial.
“The idea that what the county needs is more destinations for people to actually go and shop, which is absurd,” Tutman said. “People need other things too. They need nature’s infrastructure, not just the built universe.”
Tutman, a local environmental activist who also serves on the council’s infrastructure planning task force, told The Diamondback he is concerned the land will be transformed into more residential housing. He explained that this would lead to additional traffic and not adequately address the county’s financial challenges.
Landover resident Taylor Frazier McCollum told The Diamondback she likes the idea of developing the land to offer additional entertainment, shopping and other activities for residents.
But Frazier McCollum added that she hopes to see more community amenities with natural trails, fields and other green space.
