[WardFive] In race for CBS Radio, Prince George's County couldn't meet D.C.'s offer

In race for CBS Radio, Prince George's County couldn't meet D.C.'s offer

CBS Radio is leaving Lanham for 1015 Half St. SE in D.C., seen here.

Michael Neibauer

Staff Reporter- Washington Business Journal

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Prince George's County tried to hold onto CBS Radio, but Lanham doesn't have the lure of Capitol Riverfront and nearby Nationals Park.

"We're competitive. We're doing well. We're on a roll," saidDavid Iannucci, top economic development aide to Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker. "At the same time, we understand being in an urban location near a sports stadium is not something we can offer right now."

CBS Radio announced Monday that it would leave Lanham for 36,000 square feet across two floors at 1015 Half St. SE, joining the National Labor Relations Board in the nearly 400,000-square-foot office building. CBS Radio operates a number of stations in the Greater Washington area, including WPGC-FM, WJFK-FM, WIAD-FM and WNEW-FM.

Construction on the space — a street-level studio, performance area and offices — is scheduled to begin in May and be complete by the end of the year.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to become the only broadcast group in downtown Washington, D.C., creating a unique venue for our employees, listeners and the community," CBS Radio senior vice president Steve Swenson said in a statement. "This new facility will allow an unfettered look into how we operate and provide fans of our stations with the chance to meet some of the top names in the music business and our own beloved personalities."

The Prince George's County Economic Development Corp. worked with CBS Radio for two and half years to find a location in the county that met its needs, Iannucci said, which included an urban streetscape and access to hotels and restaurants for radio personalities and guests. At the same time, CBS Radio was working closely with MayorVincent Gray's office on the relocation.

The county targeted University Town Center as an option, but it was a no-go. It was a serious effort, Iannucci said, and the call from CBS Radio to Baker announcing the company's exodus was "nothing but positive."

"D.C. was all over them," Iannucci said: "They wanted a 'Today Show' type street-level studio and the only place they could get that was in the city."

Michael Neibauer covers economic development, chambers of commerce, transportation and politics.

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Eric J. Jones, MSF
ejjones.threed@gmail.com


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