Blackjack! Prince George's council approves MGM National Harbor

Despite continuing concern about traffic in and around the 49-acre Oxon Hill site, the Prince George's County Council on Monday, acting as the District Council, voted 8-1 in favor of the $1 billion MGM National Harbor. The 1 million-square-foot resort will be an economic boon, a job creator and an entertainment destination, supporters said — a facility that will drive people from all over the world to participate in the county's economy.

"I truly believe that this is going to be the best facility in the world," said Councilwoman Ingrid Turner, D-District 4. "The world is going to come to Prince George's County to see the best facility."

The decision comes seven months and a day after the Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission selected the MGM bid over two other competitors. At the time, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren predicted that MGM National Harbor would be the most profitable casino in the United States outside of Las Vegas, because of the three major airports — two international — that feed it, because of its location and because Virginia, home to National Harbor’s most important client base “won’t have gambling in my lifetime.”

"Ladies and gentlemen," Council Chairman Mel Franklin said Monday, "this is a big deal."

MGM, with general contractor Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., is expected to start building in a matter of weeks, in order to have the resort open by July 2016. It will be among the largest economic development projects in the region, creating some 2,000 construction jobs.

The National Harbor destination will feature 3,600 slot machines and 160 table games, a 300-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, 55,000 square feet of branded retail, 35,000 square feet of meeting space, a 4,700-space parking garage and numerous restaurants from local and national chefs.

Council member Mary Lehman, D-District 1, was the lone vote in opposition. While Prince George's voters supported the expansion of gambling into the county, she said, "I hate to see the economic future on this county depend on games of chance."

Source: Washington Business Journal