Prince George’s County residents speak out on proposed $1.4B Sphere project
Prince George’s County residents speak out about National Harbor Sphere proposal
Residents in Prince George’s County spoke out about the National Harbor Sphere proposal.
LARGO, Md. - Prince George’s County residents gathered Tuesday night in Largo to voice their opinions on the proposed Sphere National Harbor project, a $1.4 billion entertainment venue that would become the second Sphere location in the U.S.
What we know:
The proposed venue at National Harbor would be a scaled-down version of the 18,000-seat Las Vegas Sphere.
Plans for Maryland’s Sphere call for a 6,000-seat facility standing 302 feet high and 389 feet wide, situated on a 14-acre campus. The interior would feature a high-definition 16K display screen.
READ MORE | Proposed 302-foot Sphere would become National Harbor's tallest venue
Planners project that the venue will generate billions of dollars in economic impact for the area. Officials indicated that the development may ultimately include up to $215 million in public funding.
Sphere proposed for National Harbor; Maryland leaders to discuss economic impact
During the meeting Tuesday, attendees heard presentations from a Sphere Entertainment official and a county staffer.
The presentations were followed by nearly two hours of public comments.
What they're saying:
While some residents expressed support for bringing a landmark project to the region, the majority of speakers focused on worker protections. Community members and labor representatives emphasized the need for a signed agreement guaranteeing that the facility would be constructed using local union labor to ensure fair wages, healthcare benefits and retirement pensions.
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"We want to make sure that we're paying good wages, benefits and annuity, pension, things like that," said Lamar Mutts of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
Other speakers noted that while they support the development in principle, project benefits must directly serve the local workforce.
What's next:
A preliminary vote to advance the proposal is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with additional voting required before final approval.
If the project progresses as planned, officials are targeting the second quarter of 2030 for the Sphere's grand opening.
The Source: Information in this article is from original FOX 5 DC reporting.