LARGO -The Southern Hills mixed-use development is making progress, moving closer to reality after a review by the Prince George’s County District Council. During their July 14 meeting, the council voted unanimously to advance the project, which aims to revitalize an area near the Southern Avenue Metro Station.
The plan envisions transforming about 85.4 acres into a vibrant community that includes 980 multifamily apartment units, 150 senior housing units, and 168 townhouses, along with approximately 45,000 square feet of retail, medical office, and commercial space. The development is strategically located south of Southern Avenue and on both sides of Wheeler Hills Road, right next to the Metro station.
Planning staff highlighted that this proposal aligns well with the objectives of the Southern Green Line Sector Plan, which advocates for higher-density, transit-oriented developments around Metro stations. The conceptual plan also incorporates pedestrian-friendly features like future connections to the Metro, sidewalks throughout the area, recreational spaces, and environmental protections.
As part of the development, Southern Hills has requested an amendment to zoning regulations to allow townhouse and multifamily housing in areas previously planned for single-family homes. This change would affect less than 2 percent of the overall site, keeping the focus on larger community needs.
Attorney Thomas Haller, representing the ownership group, shared that they’ve spent over a decade gathering land around the Southern Avenue Metro Station with the vision of creating a significant transit-oriented community. He mentioned that a temporary solar facility had been set up on part of the site to generate revenue while they waited for the market to grow. According to Haller, this project marks the beginning of a larger redevelopment plan crafted over many years.
Council members sought details about how the development team engaged with the community. Haller assured them that they had completed all necessary public notifications and maintained communication with District 7’s council office throughout the review process. Since the area is somewhat secluded by woodlands, there weren’t many nearby residents to provide feedback, but Haller noted that the responses were mostly positive.
This approval signals a promising step toward bringing Southern Hills to life as a dynamic community for residents and visitors.
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