Thursday, May 16, 2013
Three companies submitted their bids Friday.
The Prince George's County commission tasked to determine which location would be best for a new casino will have to weigh three options after three companies placed bids for three different locations. County Executive Rushern L. Baker III recently told a Washington Business Journal reporter that he preferred MGM's plan at The National Harbor located in Oxon Hill on the Potomac. However, two other bidders—Greenwood Racing, Inc. and Penn National—have also pitched two other locations. Penn National would want their casino as the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, while Greenwood Racing, Inc. picked an abandoned lot in Fort Washington. So what do you think? Take our poll below and tell us in the comments why you prefer one location over …
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Since 2008, Prince George's County has averaged an 8 percent tax-revenue growth each year, which can be directly attributed to more shops and restaurants opening up in National Harbor.
What struck Boston resident Karen Manikowski on her first trip to National Harbor recently was the mint condition the complex was in. Everything from the buildings to the sidewalks were clean and kempt. While this may be due to the diligent efforts of the staff, it may also have something to do with the lack of foot traffic. "It was a little bit like ‘(The) Truman Show,’" said the 29-year-old Manikowski, "because it's very pristine, it's very nice, but there's really no sense of realness. It's just kind of like you’re living in a prefabbed world." Like many of the visitors to National Harbor on a weekday, Manikowski was there for a conference at one of the six hotels on location. While the weekends bring families from the surrounding area …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Some of the features children will find are "Sesame Street" characters, a marketplace from Tanzania, pizza parlor and fire engine. But that's not all.
A new 23,000-square foot museum for children opens its doors Friday at the National Harbor, the National Children's Museum announced. The museum will host activities and programs including: The Washington Post reported that the museum also has: The National Children’s Museum is scheduled to be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day, and to 7 p.m. during the summer, according to the museum. Admission is $10 per person and free for infants 12 months and under, the museum stated. The museum says its mission is to inspire children to care about and make the world a better place.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Judge's decision lifts stay on construction, groundbreaking moves ahead on Tanger Outlets.
An outlet mall will still open in Prince George's County, even after local residents voiced opposition. A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday marked the official start of construction for the Tanger Outlets at National Harbor, according to a tweet by Fire Chief Marc Bashoor with the Prince George's County Fire Department. A Prince George's County Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday against Fort Washington and Oxon Hill residents who wanted to prevent construction on the 340,000-sq. foot project, according to NBC. The outlet mall is expected to bring 85 stores to Oxon Hill, which could possibly also house the county's first casino in Nation Harbor. The judge said halting the project would have a negative economic impact on the county, but the …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting also survive referendum challenges.
UPDATED (2:26 a.m.)—Same-sex marriage is the law in Maryland. The passage of the controversial law was the biggest win among a list of six other statewide ballot questions including the DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting that all also passed. Gov. Martin O'Malley took to the podium to address the Question 6 victory party at The Soundstage in Baltimore early Wednesday to chants of his last name. O'Malley thanked the crowd for all they had done "in this noble battle to move Maryland Forward." The governor praised supporters for all their hard work and for securing support for the controversial ballot question by talking to their families and their religious institutions. "You were carrying this banner of human …
Monday, November 5, 2012
A look at what's at stake—and how the battle is being waged.
Note: This article was originally published on Oct. 25 but is being featured again ahead of Tuesday's election. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Question 7 asks voters whether they favor a plan to expand gambling in Maryland that would: The ballot question is a result of legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly during its 2012 special session (view the House and Senate roll calls) and signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. Several other portions of the law are not subject to a referendum. Slot machines have been permitted in the state since voters approved a gaming referendum (59 percent to 41 percent) in November 2008. Passage of Question 7 would mark a significant shift, however, bringing Maryland's casinos closer in line with those of Atlantic City …
Friday, October 26, 2012
Economic, social arguments highlighted in Hyattsville debate.
A handful of area voters got the opportunity last night to dive a bit deeper into the debate surrounding Question 7, which could allow a casino to operate in Prince George's County and bring Vegas-style table games to casinos across the state. Gathered in a first-floor conference room in the Hyattsville Municipal Building, they were here to consider the two sides of the argument in a manner more thoughtful than what might be available to a typical voter in the midst of one of the most expensive political campaigns waged in Maryland in recent memory. Arguing in favor of expanded gambling was Brad Frome, deputy chief of staff to Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker. His argument focused on three projected benefits which a casino in…
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Expanded table gaming could lead to new development at the National Harbor, reports the Washington Business Journal.
Could an MGM casino be headed to National Harbor? Quite possibly, if MGM International CEO James Murran gets his way. Murran told Washington Business Journal that if Question 7 passes in November his company may bid to build a casino in the National Harbor, a location Murran describes as ideal because of its sweeping views and proximity to three major airports. MGM did not bid on a Maryland casino in 2007, citing the state’s 67 percent tax rate on gambling revenue and required state ownership of video lottery terminals (VLTs), reports Washington Business Journal. However, if Question 7 passes, casinos would be permitted to own their own VLTs and the tax rate on table gambling revenue would drop to 25 percent. Not everyone is keen on seeing…
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
More transportation coming to Prince George’s mega-development.
An additional transit route has launched at National Harbor in Oxon Hill to shuttle passengers to and from spots in Washington, DC, and northern Virginia. The shuttle service opened Sept. 22, backed by Peterson Cos., the site's developer. Residents, workers, and hotel guests at the $4 billion development will get free rides on the shuttle, but all others will pay $10, reports The Washington Business Journal. Stops include the King St. Metro in Alexandria, Union Station, and the Old Post Office Pavillion. Public access to National Harbor has been an issue since it opened in 2008. The development also is served by a Metro bus route.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Prince George's County Executive is pleased with bill that he said will create jobs in his county and the state.
It took almost a week to get done but a bill that expands gambling in Maryland to table games and a possible casino in Prince George's County was worth the wait for County Executive Rushern Baker. "I feel good about where we're going," said Baker early Wednesday, moments after the Senate adopted a gaming bill amended late Tuesday night by the House of Delegates. "It puts us on the way to not only creating jobs in Prince George's County and the state of Maryland but also revenues for both the state and the county," Baker said. The bill goes to the voters on the Nov. 6 ballot. Baker said he expects "a robust fight."
Bob
11:05 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Why do we "need" another casino? Are the lines to get in the ones we have so long they need relief? Are the gambplers flocking here to MD Live and the others from Atlantic City or Vegas? Is this a vice we can all get behind? Have we garned so much money that the schools are fully funded? Do you honestly think this is not just another way for the politicians to line their pockets and the pockets … more ›