NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (7News) — Leaders in Prince George’s County continue to move toward bringing a smaller version of the Las Vegas Sphere to National Harbor. It’s a project expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue but now drawing calls from labor unions across the DMV to hire local workers.
The council voted 8-0 on July 27 to create the new “Extraordinary Development District” at the National Harbor, a move that allows officials to begin behind-the-scenes work on the project, including drafting a tax plan to determine how it would be financed.
SEE ALSO | Site plans give new glimpse at proposed Sphere venue in National Harbor
New renderings released in early July show the proposed mini Sphere at about 300 feet tall. Plans call for a 6,000-person capacity venue, about one-third the size of the 18,000-seat Sphere on the Las Vegas Strip.
During Monday’s public comment period, nearly everyone who spoke did so on behalf of a labor union, urging county leaders and the company behind the project to prioritize local workers, since the Sphere could create thousands of jobs:
“By prioritizing local hires, the sphere project can invest directly in the county’s workforce, strengthening the local communities and create high-quality middle-class jobs,” Roxy Mejia of The Painters and Allied Trades Union said.
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Wednesday released a new economic analysis that claims that the planned Sphere National Harbor venue would generate billions in economic activity for the county and the state. (7News)
Sam Stern of UNITE HERE Local 25 said, “We’re disappointed that we haven’t been able to sit down with the Sphere company so far and negotiate project labor agreements (PLA) for our brothers and sisters in the trades and labor piece agreements for the workers who will be working at the venue once they are constructed.”
During the vote and discussion, Council Chair Krystal Oriadha and others said they were supportive of reaching a PLA.
County leaders estimate the Sphere could bring $1.3 billion in revenue to Prince George’s County once it opens, along with another $200 million across the state.
Even with the unanimous vote to create the development district, questions remain about the long-term financial plan, traffic impacts and other issues as the proposal moves forward.
Monday’s vote was not the last; the project still needs final approval.
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