Battle brewing over 'Hospital Hill' in Prince George's County

PRINCE GEOREGE'S CO., Md. - A battle is brewing in Prince George’s County over the area known as Hospital Hill.

Residents from Cheverly and Bladensburg are fighting over prime real estate that could see millions of dollars in new developments and now, one side says they're prepared to take it to court. 

Bladensburg and Cheverly both want to annex the property where the old Prince George’s County Hospital sits. 

Right now, Hospital Hill belongs to Prince George’s County but whoever gets it will likely score an increase in property values and what the Cheverly mayor calls an economic boon.

The redeveloped land will feature new retail stores including a food hall and heli-pad sky deck, more than 1,300 new homes, a brand new community town square with public trails, a hotel and a new medical office.

"Essentially, this is sort of a baby harbor to us, and that's going to be a huge deal for all development in the future. It's my opinion that Prince George's County never gets the development it deserves. Part of that has to do with some of the leadership at the table but also racism," Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh said. "So I think it's critically important that we actually do this right so we can show developers we are able to do it." 

Munyeneh says Cheverly has already invested time and money on studies to maximize benefits to the community. She also says Cheverly has support from state and local officials and the community, something she accuses Bladensburg of lacking. 

Cheverly sent Bladensburg a cease and desist letter accusing the town of failing to meet the requirements to annex Hospital Hill. For one, they say 295 prevents Bladensburg from physically connecting to the land, which is required by law to annex.

But Bladensburg says they've got case law and other examples in Maryland on their side. 

Bladensburg's attorney tells FOX 5 that, "the proposed annexation of what is often called the Hospital Hill property will create a legal enclave of unincorporated territory. It is permitted and there appears to be others like it in Maryland."

Bladensburg was supposed to hear public comment on the issue Monday night but moved it to Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Cheverly officials say they still plan to attend the meeting and the mayor says she is willing to file a lawsuit this week to stop Bladensburg.