Upscale retail, luxury homes, youth sports center proposed at Pfitzner Stadium site

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — The soon to be former home of the Potomac Nationals could be transformed into a multifunctional community center with shopping outlets, recreational facilities, and housing developments in the near future.

A team of four companies, led by DCS Design, suggested the community development idea in their response to a Request for Information (RFI) from the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors.

The board’s RFI was “intended to gauge potential interest in the redevelopment of the [Pfitzner Stadium] sports complex,” Brent Heavner, communications chief for the county parks and recreation department told Potomac Local.

“The integration of civic functions, recreational uses, upscale retail and workforce, age-restricted and luxury, market-rate housing creates an opportunity to craft a place that is unique in the Washington area,” DCS Design’s response read.

DCS Designs would partner with several development companies on the project, including Toll Brothers for luxury, age-restricted housing; Good Works for affordable workforce housing; and Peterson Companies for retail and commercial development.

“This is an opportunity for Prince William County to create a symbolic center for the County,” DCS Designs concluded in their response.

Other suggestions were offered to the board as well. Safe at Home submitted a multifunctional ballpark concept that could be an activity center and event host. Victus Advisors suggested a multi-use indoor sports complex.

Another organization, Complete Game, envisions “a baseball program that develops local talent into refined athletes” with youth baseball, adult softball leagues and college summer teams by designing an indoor baseball/softball facility at Pfitzner Stadium.

Interested parties were asked to maintain “a balance of local resident use/access, economic impact, market competition, environmental sensitivity, and tourism” in their ideas.

County supervisors noted in the RFI that they are “interested in maintaining a semi-professional baseball club” but are also “equally interested in alternative uses that will have the greatest community impact.”

Soon to be the former home of the Potomac Nationals Minor League Baseball team, County Government Center Park has 65 acres of land. Seven of those acres are taken by Pfitzner Stadium, and another 15 are occupied by three public softball fields and a BMX track.

Last year, the Nationals announced they would be leaving Prince William County and moving to Fredericksburg in 2020.

Sports tourism is a growing part of the county’s market. Athletic events and tournaments have been touted as enhancing the county’s appeal, and officials could continue to tap that interest.

“Staff are considering the responses as they work to develop scenarios for future development and use plans for the complex,” Heavner said. “Ultimately, we will look to the Board of County Supervisors to set the direction for the future of the facility.”