Prince George’s has been here before — when corruption and backroom deals dominated development. During the Jack Johnson era, our County Executive, his wife, Leslie (a County Councilmember), and several developers were convicted in a sweeping corruption scandal involving bribery, extortion, and misuse of public office to benefit favored developer insiders. It was a dark chapter that shook public trust and spurred reforms meant to make local development decisions transparent and accountable.

Now the Flagship Project Overlay Zone (FPOZ) threatens to reopen that door — giving developers special treatment and cutting the public out of critical decisions. It would sidestep the normal zoning process for some of the County’s largest potential developments — Six Flags, Northwest Stadium, and the Morgan Boulevard Metro area — eliminating public hearings in favor of closed-door approvals.

These are precisely the kinds of projects that should get the most daylight — where residents can weigh in on what belongs there, whether zoning changes are needed, and how those sites fit into our broader growth policy, which prioritizes transit-oriented, infill development around Metro, not more sprawl.

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Prince George’s deserves better. 

Tell County Leaders #NoFPOZ!