MGM National Harbor Wins OK from Prince George's County Council

Amid optimistic predictions that the $1 billion MGM National Harbor casino complex in Prince George’s County will leverage the region’s three airports to bring visitors from around the world, county leaders approved construction plans for the site Monday.

The council voted 8 to 1 in favor of the resort planned for 23 acres overlooking the Potomac River, just north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, reports The Washington Post. MGM may now seek construction permits; groundbreaking could be as early as next month.

County approval came in spite of concerns about traffic around the 49-acre Oxon Hill site, reports the Baltimore Business Journal.

"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."

MGM, with general contractor Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., is expected to start building within weeks in order to have the resort open by July 2016, the Business Journal says. The project is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs.

The 1 million-square-foot venue will feature 3,600 slot machines and 160 table games, a 3,000-seat theater, 55,000 square feet of retail space and more.

Council Member Mary Lehman (D-Laurel) voted against the proposal. "I hate to see the economic future on this county depend on games of chance," she said, the Business Journal reports.

Opposition to the project itself was minimal during the approval process, the Post says, but some residents and civic leaders objected to the lighting features and giant outdoor LED video screens in the plan, while others worried about how the complex could affect traffic and roads in the area.

Last month, MGM Resorts International pledged to hire county residents to build and run the facility, and donate $400,000 a year to nonprofits in Prince George’s County. The financial contributions outlined in the agreement are beyond the estimated $9 million annually that the county should earn from the casino under the state's gaming.

MGM expects to hire more than 4,000 people to work in the casino, as well as the 300-room hotel, conference and assembly rooms, a 3,000-seat theater and numerous restaurants, the business publications says.

Related coverage:

Residents Share Concerns Over Prince George's MGM Casino Plans

MGM Picks Contractor for $1 Billion Resort, Casino at National Harbor