Maryland’s high court sides with Bowie airport in development fight
Maryland’s highest court has ruled in favor of Bowie’s Freeway Airport in a development dispute with Prince George’s County. In 2019, the airport’s owners won a controversial vote at the county council level that rezoned the land it sits on to allow for much greater density. The county council later claimed that the airport had bullied them into the rezoning effort. However, the Maryland Court of Appeals has now sided with the airport, stating that the county council had failed to provide sufficient evidence of coercion.
The airport’s owners had planned to redevelop the site, but the development was put on hold after the county council revoked the rezoning decision. With the court’s ruling, the airport can now proceed with its redevelopment plans. The airport’s owners have not yet announced the details of the redevelopment project, but it is expected to include new commercial and residential buildings.
The ruling is a major victory for Freeway Airport and its owners, who have been fighting for the right to redevelop the site for several years. The airport has operated since the 1950s and has been a valuable asset to the local community. With the court’s decision, the airport can continue serving the community while contributing to its economic growth.
