Recently revealed documents have shed light on the proposed Sphere at MGM National Harbor, showcasing the $1 billion project that could completely change Maryland’s entertainment landscape while raising concerns among federal aviation officials.
Taller Than the Las Vegas Sphere
According to pre-application materials filed with the Prince George’s County Planning Department, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. is seeking to build a 6,000-seat immersive venue adjacent to MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
The project would be supported by approximately $200 million in combined state, local, and private incentives.
While the proposed National Harbor Sphere would accommodate fewer guests than its Las Vegas counterpart, it would actually surpass it in height.
Planning documents indicate that the structure would rise 302 feet from the ground, with the site’s elevation bringing its total height to approximately 480 feet above the Potomac River. By comparison, the Sphere in Las Vegas stands 366 feet tall.
Location Problems
The project’s location, however, has prompted an early review by the Federal Aviation Administration. The proposed site sits less than 3.5 air miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and roughly one mile east of one of the primary flight paths used by arriving aircraft.
The proximity has drawn additional attention following the fatal mid-air collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River earlier this year.
Federal law says that developers must give the FAA the chance to “evaluate proposed structures near airports to determine whether they could pose a hazard to aircraft or interfere with navigation aids,” explained the FAA.
The agency added that it typically works with developers to reduce the height of projects deemed potential hazards.
Although FAA recommendations are not legally binding, local planning boards frequently consider the agency’s findings when approving developments near airports.
The New Sphere Could Bring Over $120M from Taxes
According to an analysis conducted by Ernst & Young, the Sphere would bring Prince George’s County roughly $63 million annually in new tax revenue, along with an extra $65 million for the state of Maryland.
The report also projects a $1.6 billion economic impact during construction and a recurring annual impact of roughly $1.3 billion once the venue becomes operational. Additionally, the development is expected to create approximately 7,100 full- and part-time jobs, including about 1,250 positions directly tied to the entertainment venue.
As the FAA review continues, the National Harbor Sphere remains one of the most ambitious entertainment projects currently proposed in the Washington metropolitan area.