NBA star Kevin Durant is set to play a significant role in the redevelopment of the former Six Flags America amusement park, following the acquisition of the 515-acre site in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The purchase was announced by County Executive Aisha Braveboy on April 8, revealing that Durant’s investment firm, 35V, in partnership with the Atlanta-based TPA Group, has taken on the property.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Kevin-Durant-Six-Flags-America-040926-c12512c9012342419b4c9e8a17f89dee.jpg)
The Six Flags America amusement park, which closed its doors permanently in November 2022 after over five decades of operation, is located approximately 20 miles from Washington, D.C. The site, which also included the Hurricane Harbor water park, had been a staple of family entertainment in the region since it first opened in 1974 as a drive-thru safari known as The Wildlife Preserve. It transitioned into a Six Flags venue in 1999.
County officials have expressed optimism about the potential for the site to be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use entertainment destination. During the announcement, Braveboy highlighted the intention to develop an area that offers upscale dining and sports-related activities, aiming to create a year-round attraction that would generate increased revenue for the region.
Braveboy remarked on the personal connection of Durant to the area, stating, “This is a new chapter for Prince George’s County and one that will be guided by a son of Prince George’s County, NBA legend Kevin Durant.” She indicated that collaboration with Durant’s mother, Wanda Durant, and their team would be key to crafting an inclusive vision for the redevelopment project, ensuring the local community’s needs and desires are integrated into the plans.
The implications of this new development are significant not only for local businesses but also for the community that has been impacted by the park’s closure. Local reports revealed that the former amusement park employed about 70 full-time workers, and the local economy had relied on its seasonal influx of visitors. With the closure attributed to a combination of the operating company’s restructuring and ongoing debt issues, there is hope that the redevelopment will reinvigorate the area’s economic landscape.
Plans for the exact nature of the new development have yet to be finalised. However, County Executive Braveboy has indicated that engagement with the community will be paramount moving forward. She expressed a strong commitment to ensuring that residents will have a voice in the planning process, aiming to co-host a series of engagement events where local stakeholders can share their expectations and contribute to shaping the future of the site.
“What’s most important is that the community voice will play a central role as we move forward,” Braveboy said. This approach reflects a greater trend in urban development, prioritising community input to foster projects that are more likely to meet the needs and desires of local residents.
The acquisition comes at a time when Six Flags, which is renowned as North America’s largest regional amusement park operator, has been reevaluating its portfolio. The closure of Six Flags America was part of a broader strategy to sell off underperforming properties, with the company recently announcing the sale of several other parks. In fact, on April 6, Six Flags confirmed the completion of sales of six U.S. parks to a Kansas City-based real estate investment trust, EPR Properties. These new owners plan to partner with Enchanted Parks while continuing to operate under the Six Flags brand through the end of the year.
As the redevelopment of the Six Flags property unfolds, the collaboration between Durant and local officials presents a hopeful outlook for the future of Prince George’s County. Community members will be watching closely, eager to see how their input will influence the revitalisation of such a significant piece of local history and how it can be transformed into a thriving venue for enjoyment and commerce. With aspirations of a dynamic, year-round attraction on the horizon, the potential impact on the community stands to be profound.