Published on: Thursday, July 14, 2011

By Kara Rose

The Washington Redskins may soon have more than a stadium to call home in Prince George’s County.

The county government requested a feasibility study for a potential Redskins’ headquarters and training facility in Bowie, according to the office of the county executive. Redskins’ headquarters is currently located in Ashburn, Va., although the NFL team plays at FedEx Field in Landover, just 10 miles from the site in Bowie.

“Prince George’s County has been proud to host the players and fans of the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field,” County Executive Rushern Baker said last month. “We are now expressing an interest in becoming the permanent headquarters of this much beloved and storied franchise.”

The feasibility study will determine whether it is practical to proceed with the project by analyzing aspects such as topography, land use, traffic patterns and economic cost, according to David S. Iannucci, the assistant deputy C.A.O. for economic development for Prince George’s County. Iannucci said it could take anywhere from two to four months to find out the results of the feasibility study.

The new headquarters, if relocated to Bowie, would be on a lot adjacent to Bowie State University off of Route 197 and Lemons Bridge Road near the MARC train station.

“With our central location in the region and the Redskins existing facilities at FedEx Field in Landover, we believe that Prince George’s County offers an excellent choice for the Redskins’ management, staff, coaches and players to work and live,” Iannucci added.

Bowie Mayor G. Frederick Robinson said he first heard about the project through the news but is exercising caution because the project will “have some impact on 197 in terms of highway capacity, the general neighborhood and the university.”

“This could be a good idea, but I want to wait and see,” Robinson said. “I have no objection to considering anything, but I don’t want to make a rushed decision.”

Delegate Jay Walker, D-26, first pitched the idea to relocate the executive offices to Prince George’s County. Walker is now working alongside Prince George’s Council Chair Ingrid M. Turner — whose district encompasses the studied site — to make his proposal become a reality.

“This represents a tremendous opportunity for Prince George’s County and the state of Maryland when you consider bringing 200 jobs into the county and the state,” Walker said. “This goes along with our vision of Prince George’s County to be a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

Prince George’s County has committed one-third of the estimated $25,000 cost of this study and expects a matching amount from the State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and the Maryland Stadium Authority.

“Given the growth our county has experienced as home to FedEx Field, there is no doubt that moving the Redskins’ team headquarters and training facilities to Prince George’s County would significantly boost economic development and job creation in our county,” Turner said, calling the move a “win-win” situation for the county and the Redskins organization.