Buying the Bowie Race Track: What Elected Officials Said

About seven weeks ago, the City of Bowie—as part of a funding consortium—placed a bid to purchase 164 acres of property from the Maryland Jockey Club, property know to many as the Bowie Race Track.

Over the course of the election, some most members came out in favor of the city's purchase of the land, though there was some division as to what should happen to the property once purchased.

Mayor G. Frederick Robinson told Patch he was dedicated to purchased the whole 164 acres of property. He said he wanted to see the 130 acres of race track property used as park space, but would be open to either keeping the stable property as a green space or placing covenants on the property and allowing its use for development at some point in the future. 

Councilman Dennis Brady (at-large) expressed similar sentiments at the candidate forum prior to the election. Councilman Henri Gardner (District 3) said he did not support any future development on the race track property, and Councilman Todd Turner (at-large) said the real issues is who controls the property.

The residents of the Saddlebrook West Home Owners Association would like to see the entire property dedicated as open space and park land. Saddlebrook West is a housing development located adjacent the race track facilities.

"I think everyone I’ve spoken to is in favor of the city having control of the property with the intent and understanding that it would be kept as open space," said Ernest White, the president of the Saddlebrook West HOA.

He also added that if this does happen, there are some concerns he and his fellow residents would like to see the city address, such as how they would deal with the increase in traffic new park facilities and fields would bring to Race Track Road. 

State Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A) would also like to see the property stay green. 

"I encourage the city to make a commitment to acquire all the property with Open Space money to ensure the property is designated for recreation purpose only and not open for future development options," she said in an interview.