Recently revealed planning documents offer fresh insights into the ambitions of the developers behind the Sphere at MGM National Harbor, raising concerns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Preliminary application documents submitted to the Prince George’s County Planning Department indicate that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. has a plan to invest $1 billion to create a scaled-back version of the Las Vegas Sphere at MGM National Harbor, situated in Oxon Hill, Maryland, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.
The initial design for the 6,000-seat immersive entertainment center outlines that the Sphere will reach a height of 480 feet above the Potomac River, with the structure itself standing at 302 feet, while Oxon Hill’s elevation is 170 feet above sea level.
Although the National Harbor Sphere is intended to be smaller in size and seating capacity than its Las Vegas counterpart, it will actually stand taller. The Las Vegas venue, located off the Strip, measures 366 feet tall.
Covering 14 acres, the National Harbor Sphere will be positioned between MGM National Harbor and Monument Avenue.
Concerns Regarding Reagan Airport
The location of the National Harbor Sphere is merely 3.5 air miles from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).
Notably, the Sphere is situated about a mile east of the flight path most commonly used by planes landing at DCA. This is the same flight path that American Airlines Flight 5342 occupied when it tragically collided in mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River, resulting in the loss of all 64 passengers and crew, in addition to the three military personnel onboard the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
The FAA is currently reviewing the Sphere project, as confirmed by federal officials.
“According to federal regulations, developers must provide the FAA the chance to assess proposed structures near airports to ensure they do not pose a risk to aircraft or disrupt navigation systems,” stated the FAA. “Should the FAA ascertain that the structure’s height may be hazardous, we engage in discussions to negotiate a reduced height with the developer.”
Federal statutes mandate that real estate developers allow the FAA to evaluate height specifications for projects located near airports. Although the FAA’s recommendations are not legally enforceable, local planning boards typically follow the federal agency’s guidance.
Sphere Project Highlights
Madison Square Garden Entertainment is receiving $200 million in support from Maryland and Prince George’s County to establish the Sphere in National Harbor. Analysts from Ernst & Young (EY) estimate that the entertainment complex will generate approximately $63 million in annual tax revenue for the county and around $65 million for the state.
According to EY’s assessments, the construction phase is expected to yield a $1.6 billion economic boost, with ongoing annual impacts estimated at $1.3 billion. The Sphere project aims to create 7,100 full- and part-time job opportunities, including 1,250 direct employees for the entertainment venue.