Prince George's County Planning Board approves National Harbor Sphere design

Moves to the sphere at National Harbor. The planning board unanimously approved the latest design. Yeah, and we are actually getting a better look at what inside is going to look like. I'm covering up the sphere there. I'm like, where do I go? I'm inside it. It looks like SeaWorld right now. Fox 5's Homa Bash live in Riverdale Park tonight with a breakdown of it all. Hi, Homa. Hey guys. Yeah. So we're getting a real close look at what the inside is going to look like, what more details about the outside is going to look like. And that's what today was really about just the actual design, the landscaping all around it. We also got to hear from residents about their concerns. They're worried about, you know, could this become another Vegas 2.0? Some people don't want that. Others are really excited about the prospect of this giant immersive entertainment venue right in their backyard. So the planning director, when he talked to us, He said, you know what, it was a lot of mixed emotions. In particular, there were a lot of concerns related to transportation, there were concerns related to noise, light pollution, things like that were concerning as well. Some of the concerns even revolved around the actual design. Residents have practical concerns about traffic, parking, public safety, noise, and lighting. I would like to see those concerns addressed early with clear plans and ongoing communications So residents know what to expect. So here's a look at that design. Fox 5 getting a look at two new renderings of the Sphere at National Harbor. It'll have some 6000 seats, take up approximately 14 acres and be about 300 feet tall, just. Slightly taller than MGM National Harbor, the director is saying the design fits the space it is planned in right off the beltway in Oxon Hill Road and so far meets all the requirements related to zoning ordinances and development standards. That's why it's got unanimous approval today. The lighting will also not be as intense as the one in Vegas that is in response to resident feedback. We also heard today from community members who are excited to have this right here in National Harbor. Others who, again, you heard those concerns, the entire project. Estimated to cost roughly $1.4 billion with an expected tax revenue of $67 million a year. The design debut coming after Prince George's County Council approved a $215 million financing package just recently. We believe this plan advances that vision directly. Mr. Chair, members of the board, we believe this plan meets every requirement before you and that it will be a landmark Prince George's County can be proud of. This site. We've had many offers on before to do something, and we said, we're waiting for the right use. And this, there's no better use that we could ever have hoped for. All right. So today was a big step, but there are still many, many, many, many, many more to go before there are actually shovels in the ground and we get a very clear timeline. We're told that the next big thing will probably happen in the spring. The site plan also needs to be certified and there will be public hearings about parking, transportation, all that congestion that will be coming to National Harbor as a result of this so that residents can weigh in before it is back up in front of the planning board. Guys. Okay. Appreciate the update. Thank you, Homa.