Prince George’s County blocks data center at former Landover Mall site

The Prince George’s County Council passed a new law aimed at stopping a data center project planned for the old Landover Mall site, WTOP reported. The legislation requires that data center applications, including the Brightseat Park development, must go before the county council again, effectively halting the project due to strong local opposition.

The bill was introduced after a 2021 loophole allowed the Brightseat Park project to proceed without council approval, raising concerns because the site is close to a residential community. Council member Shayla Adams Stafford, representing the district, explained that the new rules will ensure more thorough public review and detailed site plans that consider surrounding land use.

This legislation follows a data center development moratorium enacted in 2025 amid public backlash and council members’ claims they were unaware of the project until late in the process. The new law restores the council's role in approving data centers and aims to prevent similar situations in the future.

The change means future data center proposals in Prince George’s County will face a lengthier and more transparent approval process, including more in-depth public input and council oversight.