Hogan's agreement helps the government acquire 2,481 acres in exchange for 512 acres in Oxon Cove Parkgetty images
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is "in the process of briefing" members of Congress from the state about his "plan to exchange state land in western Maryland for federal land in Prince George's County, where he wants" the Redskins to build a new stadium, according to Chason & Clarke of the WASHINGTON POST. Hogan's nonbinding agreement with the U.S. Dept. of the Interior shows that he has "agreed to help the federal government acquire 2,481 acres in South Mountain State Battlefield in exchange for 512 acres in Oxon Cove Park." The proposed exchange would "require congressional approval." U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.), whose district includes Oxon Cove, said that Hogan's plan could be "problematic because of a lack of infrastructure and threats to the environment." Brown said, "While you can make any site work, the question is: How much does it cost to make it work? And who's going to pay for it?" Prince George's County Council member Derrick Davis said that Oxon Cove would "offer a 'beautiful view' for a stadium or any other development." Hogan Communications Dir Amelia Chasse said that questions about infrastructure improvements and "who would pay for them are 'premature' because 'there are no specific development plans for the site'" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/25).
STARTING FROM SCRATCH: In DC, Clarke, O'Connell & DeBonis noted the Redskins' "prospects of building their next stadium on the former RFK Stadium site suffered a setback" when Congress "failed to come to terms on broad spending legislation that could have granted control of the federally owned land" to DC. City Mayor Muriel Bowser, in conjunction with top Redskins execs, had "hoped to slip language granting control" of the land to DC in a "massive appropriations bill that was being considered" by Congress. The provision would have "paved the way for mixed-use development of the property, and Bowser has made it clear her wish that a new, 60,000-seat Redskins stadium be its anchor." The Redskins will now "have to start from scratch" in '19 and "forge a compromise with a Democratic-controlled House that's expected to be less enthusiastic about handing over control of the site for mixed-use development" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/22).
