Downtown Largo: The Preview

Building the Future: Councilmember Wala Blegay Talks Downtown Largo

This is the second of a two-part series on the future development (See “Downtown Largo: The Preview,” July 18, 2025).

By Raoul Dennis

With a commanding presence and an unwavering dedication to community advocacy, Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay (D-District 6) is helping shape the future of one of the county’s most ambitious developments—Downtown Largo. A first-generation American of West African heritage, Blegay brings her legal background, experience in labor law, and passion for equitable development to her work on the Council. She has championed issues ranging from healthcare access to job creation, and now she is at the center of a transformative vision for Largo.

As the area’s designated downtown, Downtown Largo is expected to evolve into a walkable, transit-friendly, mixed-use hub that offers retail, housing, entertainment, and community spaces. Councilmember Blegay sat down with Prince George’s Suite Magazine to provide an inside look at the vision, challenges, and opportunities surrounding this multi-year initiative.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: When do you think that Downtown Largo, as it's been envisioned, will come into reality? Ten years, twelve years, fifteen years?

Councilmember Blegay: We do expect there to be some building of the projects between five and ten years.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: Do you have a sense of the size of what Downtown Largo will be in radius? Will it be a five-mile radius or ten-mile radius?

Councilmember Blegay: Well, we do expect that it will build out over time. We know that the initial part of Downtown Largo will be the Lottsford Road area, around McCormick Drive and Lottsford Road.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: Will there be affordable housing in Downtown Largo?

Councilmember Blegay: Yes, we do expect that. Right now, we're looking at $2,025 per month and up average. We do know that some people are concerned about affordable housing. There are more affordable options on the outer part of Downtown Largo, but we are trying to build that upscale community that will bring the upscale retail that we need to solidify what we're looking for.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: With the local population explosion and visitors coming through for special events in Downtown Largo, it's going to be pretty crowded. How will pedestrian and street traffic be accommodated?

Councilmember Blegay: Yes. This area is for that. It's a transit-oriented development. We have already built sidewalks there, and we have legislation that will require parking along those roads and then driving around the parking. It gives a buffer between the walking area and the driving area.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: Regarding public safety and the number of local police per resident in this new area, how have you developed your build-out along those lines? Is that part of the plan?

Councilmember Blegay: No, it's part of the plan. Right now, the new police chief just came in office, so our focus is on getting us back to the number that we addressed—we are 300 police officers down. Just to even talk about specific locations, we have to get to a number that makes sense for the overall area.

Once we get to that number, then we can talk about specifics. I will say that we don't want what happened with the Boulevard to happen with this Downtown Largo. On The Boulevard, one of the reasons it had a decline was due to crime. What we're trying to do is avoid that, and the best way to avoid that is to be proactive.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: As you mentioned, we're 300 police officers down right now. Over time, you will adjust to that?

Councilmember Blegay: Right. We are working on that with this new administration. It's one of the top concerns of the County Executive. We're pretty sure that by the time this really starts to come to fruition—within the five-year span we’re talking about for the initial investments—the issue of the numbers of police officers should have been addressed.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: There are a number of technological advances that might be helpful. Are you developing security infrastructure alongside incoming retailers to prevent things like smash mobs?

Councilmember Blegay: Yes. We do recognize that that has happened. We’ve talked with the chief, and they're already working to address that. That’s been happening now to avoid it in the future. Security will be a priority for this area. Just like in National Harbor, once things started happening, we passed laws to put curfews in place. We would do whatever it takes in this area to address the concern.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: Although Downtown Largo will be largely walkable, will it spark a mobility issue and parking concern?

Councilmember Blegay: No. The actual approvals have parking lots—two-, three-story parking lots—to address those concerns. And again, it's transit-oriented. The groups we’re really trying to attract are those who want to use the Metro, since they will live within walking distance.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: I was imagining things like trolleys, moving sidewalks or continuously running shuttle buses—just to rotate foot traffic and reduce auto congestion.

Councilmember Blegay: We are doing all of that. As we build—and we are building slowly—you’ll see more apartments and condos coming to the area, many catered to metro users. We’ve passed legislation to build a buffer between sidewalks and the street so cars move more slowly. If we see the need, we’ll look at trolleys and buses to connect people. But the goal is to encourage walking. You want to see people just walking up and down the street.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: Absolutely. We've all been to National Harbor on a good weather day—bumper-to-bumper traffic trying to get in. That kind of bottleneck is something you’ll avoid?

Councilmember Blegay: Yes. That’s also because there’s one way in and one way out at the Harbor. That’s not really an issue for Downtown Largo. There will be multiple ways to get in and out.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: What percentage of Downtown Largo is going to be reserved for seniors, or will they be on the outer perimeters?

Councilmember Blegay: We already have three senior communities in Downtown Largo—Skyland, Vistas, and one more. And others are coming.

Councilmember Blegay: Actually, we do believe this downtown will be for all ages. What we’re seeing is that seniors want walkability. They don’t want to depend on their cars like before. Largo is one of the few places in the county where you can walk to the Metro, and that’s why it’s becoming a destination for seniors.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: Sure. Walkability is key—but there’s a difference between wanting a walkable community and living in the middle of nightlife.

Councilmember Blegay: Not every part of Downtown Largo will be nightlife. It’s near a hospital, so there will be areas that are quieter. We're not building DC; we’re building a downtown center more like Downtown Silver Spring, which works for both seniors and young professionals.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: That makes sense.

Councilmember Blegay: A lot of seniors currently living in Largo were already in the county, often in bigger homes. They moved out because they were lonely—families moved away. They wanted community. That’s what Downtown Largo provides.

Prince George’s Suite Magazine: They want to feel socially connected.

Councilmember Blegay: Exactly. And as we build, we want to ensure seniors have access to activities. They want to fill their days. They want to feel young by being active, by being around other people, and going to events. That’s what they’re looking for, and that’s why they’re moving to Largo.

Prince George’s Suite will provide more coverage on developers and planning for Downtown Largo in the months to come. Watch this space. Click here to get weekly content updates.