MGM Resorts strikes agreement to build casino at National Harbor near nation’s capital (Perryville: gated community, fencing)

[justtitans]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

But we all know or should know why the fence is there and it's due to the high crime that was and still persist in the surrounding community. I know that not everyone is a criminal but there is enough activity to justify the level of security to keep the knuckleheads out and to make the tourist feel safe. It's the same used at the suit land federal center. The parking has always been on par with most of the hangout/hotspots in the metro area. As for local benefit. Those that work in hospitality have benefitted from jobs also the gaylord donated money to pgcc's hospitality program as well as the money given to the national harbor community fund( the intent was there even though the county misused the funds).

Those neighborhoods directly behind NH really aren't what I would consider high crime. Sure there is crime, but Fort Foote, for instance, is a pretty quiet area for the most part. I believe the fencing was more based on perception than reality. If you give this development the feel that it is separated from the rest of the county, people won't feel as though they will have to deal with the perceived dangers. Either way, if I'm a county resident who lives in one of those neighborhoods, I would be a little salty about the NH. You finally build commercial development in this part of the county and not only do you cater it to tourists (at least in the beginning), but then you sit here and make it easier for people outside the area to get to it than local residents. I would imagine that these people are likely very bitter and will oppose just about anything they oppose at NH. Not my own thoughts but just some of the thoughts of people that I have heard speak about NH.

The parking is probably the #1 complaint about NH. Look at the reviews on yelp or google. You will not find many places that charge as much as NH. I mean you can go to DC on holidays or Sundays and not pay for parking, when would you have that opportunity with NH? How is it good for locals to have to pay for parking every time they want to go out and eat at the closest dining area?

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by SparkleNFade77

Sorry guess my brain and fingers don't want to work together very much today... The citizens that I heard speak just didn't have very many nice things to say about National Harbor.

Yeah they were Citizens of Virginia.........

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Dayum. Uhhh. Is there someplace better in the county right now? I don't hear people saying, "Hey, let's go to Glassmanor to hang out and get a bite to eat. Hell, College Park, a college town that is supposed to have bars and good places to eat, can't even compete.

A hotel/casino on a hill overlooking the Potomac with views to Old town and DC with water taxis to Georgetown and Old Town. Or, Glassmanor. Yeah. National Harbor is a piece of crap.

It is a piece of crap across the river.........

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

You still don't get it. How are the local benefiting from NH?

How is Northern Virginia benefiting from Tysons Corner and Dulles?????

Originally Posted by pgtitans

They are closed out by a huge fence, they have to pay a huge amount for parking and they have to go out of their way just to get there.

Wasn't it your gang of so-called "neighborhood activists" pushed for expensive parking to reduce heavy traffic that was "feared" upon the near by residence?????

Dulles is out of the way but however it does not stop people from Maryland and DC from going there.....

Originally Posted by pgtitans

What makes the development, any different to them than Old Town Alexandria or downtown DC. Most people who have a development like that near them would want it to have some level of convenience. They have done very little to implement the local community. It is extremely isolated.

Which one is it: Its not convenient to the community or it is creating too much population(business growth) in the local community....

Originally Posted by pgtitans

That's the real issue here.

That ain't it.......

Its people like you that don't give a sh-t about Increasing Business and Economic Growth in PG County or any part of Maryland especially if it is a threat to Virginia's Business and Economic Wealth....

You know good and D--n well if the National Harbor was built in Alexandria, Arlington, or Woodbridge you would not be wasting your time finding something negative to say about it but because it is in PG County/Maryland you have have to HATE it because it has the Potential to attract Tourism/Business away from Virginia...........

[$mk8795]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

While everyone is staying orgasmic about a possible casino at National Harbor I hope you've noticed what's going on at Perryville with the turn back of 500 machines. Receipts were down at Ocean Downs also. What you're seeing is the market being cannibalized with too many venues too close together and Baltimore hasn't even awarded a license yet.

WTH is in Perryville other than a small Casino and the same with Ocean Downs...........

Those two locations were bad locations due to the Fact that they are not anywhere near large attractions like the National Harbor is...........

Bad argument........

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by $mk8795

WTH is in Perryville other than a small Casino and the same with Ocean Downs...........

Those two locations were bad locations due to the Fact that they are not anywhere near large attractions like the National Harbor is...........

Bad argument........

I agree that the theories/assumptions used to place gambling venues at Perryville and Ocean Downs were flawed (Ocean Downs was at least somewhat supportable) but those were the theories. I said at the time they were flawed and was shouted down. The theory that Joe Corn Farmer from East Butt **** Iowa is going to bring his kids to DC to see the sights and then pop over to National Harbor for some gambling is just as flawed and will have the same results. One casino does not a destination make.

Maybe what the operators need to do is like the one guy in Chesapeake Beach, run tour buses out of southwest VA, North Carolina and South Carolina from the various churches and have people come up to play his slot machines...............errrr, video lottery termonals.

[justtitans]

Mods,

Is there a way of blocking people on this site? Seriously...

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

The theory that Joe Corn Farmer from East Butt **** Iowa is going to bring his kids to DC to see the sights and then pop over to National Harbor for some gambling is just as flawed and will have the same results. One casino does not a destination make.

I have to disagree with this.

1. It's MGM

Simply put, they've been in the business a very long time. They are a quality brand that can bring the wow factor that would draw people from across the country. Especially those who already gamble at their other locations. They have a very lucrative rewards program like hotels and airlines do. So, they know how to draw "Joe Corn Farmer from East Butt **** Iowa" to their casino. So do the Native American casinos, in Iowa.

2. Marketing

I already have family members from Richmond telling me they want to visit Maryland LIve. How in the hell are people in Richmond getting wind about Maryland Live? Is Cordish trying to be an east coast destination casino? In my opinion, they did it ass-backwards. You build it at an outlet mall in Arundel Mills without a hotel? Real classy.

3. Hotel and Shops

MGM will be more than just a casino, but a high-end hotel with shops, restaurants, and an entertainment venue. That's how casinos get people who wouldn't necessarily go just for gambling to walk through or past their slots and card game floors.

4. National Harbor

This is already becoming a regional destination. With an MGM hotel and casino, it will certainly solidify that position along the east coast. MGM will draw other businesses like restaurants and more shopping, even high end. What store doesn't want to locate where people with money come to blow it away on slots? That's a micro market right there.

Let's not even talk about the fact that National Harbor is just as much a resort as it is an entertainment district.


The day of putting casinos in rural areas is over. Casino's don't carry that negative stigma as much anymore. So, they are becoming more integrated into more urban areas. Cordish should have waited to see how everything shook out first. Location doesn't get any better than National Harbor.

[North Beach Person]

He couldn't wait. National Harbor was never in the mix until recently. Peterson said "NEVER", Baker said "NEVER". Even Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, the biggest ***** for gambling interests in the Legislature said "Not at National Harbor". So to say that Cordish should have "waited' isn't even on the table.

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

Those neighborhoods directly behind NH really aren't what I would consider high crime. Sure there is crime, but Fort Foote, for instance, is a pretty quiet area for the most part. I believe the fencing was more based on perception than reality. If you give this development the feel that it is separated from the rest of the county, people won't feel as though they will have to deal with the perceived dangers. Either way, if I'm a county resident who lives in one of those neighborhoods, I would be a little salty about the NH. You finally build commercial development in this part of the county and not only do you cater it to tourists (at least in the beginning), but then you sit here and make it easier for people outside the area to get to it than local residents. I would imagine that these people are likely very bitter and will oppose just about anything they oppose at NH. Not my own thoughts but just some of the thoughts of people that I have heard speak about NH.

The parking is probably the #1 complaint about NH. Look at the reviews on yelp or google. You will not find many places that charge as much as NH. I mean you can go to DC on holidays or Sundays and not pay for parking, when would you have that opportunity with NH? How is it good for locals to have to pay for parking every time they want to go out and eat at the closest dining area?

I wouldn't consider the areas that you spoke of problems either but there are enough to raise a concern. Either way IMO the fence has never been an issue for me. It's just like a gated community or fort Washington park for that matter? As for parking I feel the same since most garage or event parking that I go to you have to pay for and typically it is a premium. But my opinion differs from most in regards to parking and the fencing around NH. Remember the main reason for parking cost and the other safeguards were to stave off elements that made the Blvd undiesireableto most. Bottom line, as people have done to date, if you are not comfortable with the cost or the environment, don't go. If patronage dips enough (or when the demographic changes) those things will change.