National Harbor - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (Silver Spring: condo, lenders)

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Have you ever dealt with consultants? Even ones who are supposed to be "impartial"?

Funny thing that always happens, they always come back with the result the people who are paying for the study/analysis want.

Yeah I have and for the most part that is true. My interest in reading the report is not for their analysis but to get a summation of what the bidders were proposing since their proposals are not publicly available yet. One interesting amendment to the Parx proposal is that they have now agreed to pay for two of the intersections on 210 but there is a catch. Half of it would only be a loan to the state/county that they would expect to recoup from the fund set aside for 210 improvements. No real benefit to the state if they are struggling to pay for the project and they would still need to pay for the remaining 3 interchanges.

They also didn't commit to having those interchanges done prior to opening their casino. Which means 210 could be over-burdened for probably 3 to 5 years (if not longer) given the timeline for the first interchange. A better approach would have been they front the money for the remaining 5 and get reimbursed for half over a certain period of time. Work out a timeline that would be optimal for opening and completion of the interchanges. Also negotiate a penalty if it is not completed in a specified timeline. However, since it is after the site visits, any changes to the application would have to be approved by the selection committee. So we will see how far this new proposal goes.

Another observation from the recording of the hearing was that Penn and Parx project had a lot of gaps (which they acknowledged) in their financials and road mitigation. This especially true with their right of way plans. I found it interesting that this was the case given that both applied for licenses in MA and, in those applications, they spoke with property owners to obtain a letter of intent to purchase that they included in their proposals. This would show that they would be in a better position to start construction of road improvements without negotiation delays.

The consultants were a little light on MGM's road mitigation plan. They don't feel much else needs to be done. Although I can't think of what else could be done given the parameters of the roads in that area they do need to take a hard look at traffic patterns to ensure that flow is optimal

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

According to law it can't open until 30 months after Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opens its doors but no earlier than June 2016. That doesn't mean that other parts of the resort complex can't open before then. Especially since all of those new employees will need time to smooth out the kinks. It is also my understanding that the gaming commission could let them open their table games or a preview area (Like MD Live did) prior to that date.

so like, 2 1/2 years? Looks like I'll be driving back and forth to Atlantic City....and I hate that ride

[Mr Beco]

Let MGM pay for the roads.....

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by Barry Rock

so like, 2 1/2 years? Looks like I'll be driving back and forth to Atlantic City....and I hate that ride

Yeah at least until 2016.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by Barry Rock

Let MGM pay for the roads.....

LOL. They are willing to pay for the ones directly tied to their casino....210 is technically not within their footprint. But they will be contributing to the infrastructure impact fund for the area so indirectly they will be.

[Fast GTO]

With the scheduled opening date they are going to have to start construction immediately. Makes you wonder why city funded construction takes so long. lol

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by Fast GTO

With the scheduled opening date they are going to have to start construction immediately. Makes you wonder why city funded construction takes so long. lol

I think about that every time I go down oxon hill road or pass the police station construction site lol. I think they will begin the process but will be initially delayed by lawsuits by residents within the fringe neighborhoods and of course actions taken by the bidders who lost. Something tells me that they are going to request extended construction days to make up for lost time.. We will see.

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by Fast GTO

Frankly, giving the bid to anyone but MGM might be good for the county. It could result in infrastructure (road) improvements that otherwise wouldn't occur by keeping everything at NH.

Frankly that is definitely not true, due to MGM having more benefits for the county......

[adelphi_sky]

Hopefully this is the start of a trend at National Harbor.

Spartan Business & Technology plan to move into nearly 7,000 square feet at National Harbor Dec. 20 — enough to accommodate its 100 employees and the 62 more that will come with an acquisition planned in 2014, according to the company. It also has the option to expand another 7,000 square feet if needed.


Spartan, which also has offices in Alexandria and Fayetteville, N.C., was officially incorporated in 2007. President and CEO Lorenzo Downing used the first five years to lay the foundation, according to a company spokesperson, before officially targeting business in 2012. During the last year, it has landed 10 new customers.

Read more: Federal contractor to open HQ at National Harbor - Washington Business Journal

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Hopefully this is the start of a trend at National Harbor.



Read more: Federal contractor to open HQ at National Harbor - Washington Business Journal

That is good news and a good sign.