Hogan to continue to pursue parkland swap without stadium
Talks with Redskins have ended; state sees other value
The Hogan administration said Tuesday night that it has ended talks with the Washington Redskins about a new stadium in Maryland but is pressing forward with plans for a hotly debated parkland swap.
“We are not continuing discussions with the Redskins regarding this site at this time, however wearemoving full steam ahead with acquiring state control of the Maryland Gateway in Prince George’s County from the federal government,” said Amelia Chasse, a spokeswoman for Gov. Larry Hogan, in a statement. “We believe this site holds significant potential benefits for the region and the state, as does the proposal to expand protected federal parkland in Western Maryland.”
Chasse’s comments were the strongest statement to date that Maryland’s Republican governor has backed off his desire for a new stadium for the football team on the national park site in Prince George’s County.
Amid the mounting criticism, Hogan last month began softening his stance on seeking a Redskins stadium at Oxon Cove Park. In December, he touted the potential of the park site for the football team, but in January he said he didn’t much care whether the team ultimately relocates there.
“Whether or not it’s ever going to be a stadium, I don’t know,” Hogan said. “That’s up to the people in the area to decide. Doesn’t really matter to me one way or the other.” Nevertheless, Hogan said, “we want to get control of that property.”
Hogan has been pushing a parkland swap with federal officials. He proposes that Maryland get federal property at the 512-acre Oxon Cove Park. The state would turn over approximately 2,481 acres located in South Mountain State Battlefield, Gathland State Park, and surrounding areas in Frederick and Washington counties along the state’s portion of the Appalachian Trail for a battlefield monument federal officials want to create there.
Both ends of the land swap have attracted criticism from lawmakers and preservationists.