MGM Resorts strikes agreement to build casino at National Harbor near nation’s capital (Baltimore: shopping center, airport)

[Fast GTO]

I agree on upgrading transpo' but lets not make the same mistake that was made with NH and end up with a resort that is completely closed off from the community.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by Fast GTO

I agree on upgrading transpo' but lets not make the same mistake that was made with NH and end up with a resort that is completely closed off from the community.

Well now that the nearby surrounding community's attitude had changed about having access to the amenities at the Harbor, that won't be the case. I also think that since this, and Tanger, will be closer to a main road being closed off should not be a problem.

[UrbanScholar]

Just a quick update. Looks like they will begin public presentations in July.

Prince George's casino meetings could start in June | Eye on Annapolis

[adelphi_sky]

All this talk about casinos, not much has been mentioned about Baltimore's casino which is called Horseshoe Baltimore by Ceasars entertainment. Their investment will be $400 million. No hotel, no spa. The CEO stated that if people wanted to eat, shop, or stay overnight, Baltimore has much to offer and he said they will "support that."

“The idea instead is to provide some of the important services within this building, but then to make our facility permeable and welcoming to all of the great existing facilities, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, museums and events that take place in Baltimore,” Loveman said

In other words, "We're not going to go all-out on this project."

What I like about MGM's proposal is that it's just not a casino and will not leave it up to National Harbor to fulfill the needs of its patrons, but will offer them a place to stay, good food, shopping, entertainment, in addition to gambling. I feel the more options the better. If a casino can offer additional options like dining, spas, shopping, entertainment venues, then why not? Cheapskates.

Baltimore's Horseshoe Casino

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

All this talk about casinos, not much has been mentioned about Baltimore's casino which is called Horseshoe Baltimore by Ceasars entertainment. Their investment will be $400 million. No hotel, no spa. The CEO stated that if people wanted to eat, shop, or stay overnight, Baltimore has much to offer and he said they will "support that."



In other words, "We're not going to go all-out on this project."

What I like about MGM's proposal is that it's just not a casino and will not leave it up to National Harbor to fulfill the needs of its patrons, but will offer them a place to stay, good food, shopping, entertainment, in addition to gambling. I feel the more options the better. If a casino can offer additional options like dining, spas, shopping, entertainment venues, then why not? Cheapskates.

Baltimore's Horseshoe Casino

You can't have it both ways. I've, we've, been listening to how MGM is going to somehow "jump start" National Harbor and make it a destination. But if all the services are in their casino how does that encourage other businesses? The Baltimore operators are not doing that but having their gamblers go out for those services to the surrounding area thereby spreading business around.

What do you want?

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

You can't have it both ways. I've, we've, been listening to how MGM is going to somehow "jump start" National Harbor and make it a destination. But if all the services are in their casino how does that encourage other businesses? The Baltimore operators are not doing that but having their gamblers go out for those services to the surrounding area thereby spreading business around.

What do you want?

While the casino will offer the same services, I don't think it will stop people from visiting National Harbor. Besides, it will only have about 200+ rooms. Most people are bound to stay at the other hotels at NH. I said it's good that MGM will ADD options for those visiting NH. Has Old Town hasn't kept visitors from NH? DC hasn't either. NH seems to be doing pretty well given that people can find the same services a short water-taxi ride away. NH has it's own allure. The casino will ADD to that. Not take away. Those who visit and stay at the casino will, like the Caesars CEO said for Baltimore, visit other businesses in the neighborhood. Now as grand as MGM's proposal is, they can't be a self-contained city in one building. Look at the casinos in Las Vegas. People still walk along the streets even though their resort may be self-contained. Heck, even when I go on vacation to all-inclusive resorts, I leave to go sight-see and spend money at local establishments. I'm not hold up at the resort for a week. People are bound to check out the rest of the harbor if staying at the casino or elsewhere.

[Fast GTO]

NH gets pretty busy friday-sunday. The problem is that they are on an island during the week.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

While the casino will offer the same services, I don't think it will stop people from visiting National Harbor. Besides, it will only have about 200+ rooms. Most people are bound to stay at the other hotels at NH. I said it's good that MGM will ADD options for those visiting NH. Has Old Town hasn't kept visitors from NH? DC hasn't either. NH seems to be doing pretty well given that people can find the same services a short water-taxi ride away. NH has it's own allure. The casino will ADD to that. Not take away. Those who visit and stay at the casino will, like the Caesars CEO said for Baltimore, visit other businesses in the neighborhood. Now as grand as MGM's proposal is, they can't be a self-contained city in one building. Look at the casinos in Las Vegas. People still walk along the streets even though their resort may be self-contained. Heck, even when I go on vacation to all-inclusive resorts, I leave to go sight-see and spend money at local establishments. I'm not hold up at the resort for a week. People are bound to check out the rest of the harbor if staying at the casino or elsewhere.

Is National Harbor that much of a destination that it can sustain that? You have to assume that some people will choose to stay in the MGM hotel as opposed to staying at the Convention Center, which could be a neutral transaction. I think National Harbor itself needs something that is going to get people to want to stay there as opposed to the casino hotel. Having the events is nice, but is it sustainable? What about the fact that Outlet Mall is going to be closer to the casino? Would it make sense for me as a visitor to stay in the Convention Center, when I could be closer to the outlet mall in the MGM hotel and have possibly more amenities? It definitely seems redundant.

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by Fast GTO

I agree on upgrading transpo' but lets not make the same mistake that was made with NH and end up with a resort that is completely closed off from the community.

This is really not about that at this point, this just dealing with practical over burden infrastructure, not trying to isolate a project. We're talking about something that is minimized as being an issue too. Let's think about this, before anything was developed the area has awful traffic issues. The roads have been the same for years, and nothing is being done about it. If nothing is ever built in that part of PG, guess what? Charles County is a fast growing place that needs to use 210 and Route 5 to get to DC. All of those people who are moving down to Charles County need these roads too. That alone should be a concern, but instead of addressing transportation, you instead want to add more stuff to attract people to the area? What kind of life will people in that area have? This is insanity here. No matter when they address this issue, it's already too late. The more stuff you add to the area, it's going to make it worse. Honestly Fort Washington/Oxon Hill has the potential to have the worst traffic in the entire region, no lie. When you have projects that you started 15-16 years ago to fix transportation issues and you add more stuff on to exacerbate the problem instead of fixing it, that is just bad planning. There is no way you should continue having projects like this without having real transportation solutions to go with it.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

All this talk about casinos, not much has been mentioned about Baltimore's casino which is called Horseshoe Baltimore by Ceasars entertainment. Their investment will be $400 million. No hotel, no spa. The CEO stated that if people wanted to eat, shop, or stay overnight, Baltimore has much to offer and he said they will "support that."



In other words, "We're not going to go all-out on this project."

What I like about MGM's proposal is that it's just not a casino and will not leave it up to National Harbor to fulfill the needs of its patrons, but will offer them a place to stay, good food, shopping, entertainment, in addition to gambling. I feel the more options the better. If a casino can offer additional options like dining, spas, shopping, entertainment venues, then why not? Cheapskates.

Baltimore's Horseshoe Casino

I don't think they are cheapskates, They are implementing a different model. If you have folllowed Ceasar's development outside of LV, they tend to place their developments in urban/downtown centers. As a selling point to operate in a denser area, they promise not to cannibalize local businesses. MGM on the other hand tends to develop in areas where there is either a black canvas or where there is significant redevelopment is needed. Also, unlike some of their competitors, 60 % of their business comes from non gaming activities so they have a real motivation to have other amenities.