(Image Credits: 1-2. Sphere Entertainment Co. 3. Attractions 360)

On Monday January 19th, it was announced that Sphere Entertainment plans to build a second "Sphere" venue at National Harbor on the Maryland Riverfront. The Sphere is an entertainment venue with a location already built in Las Vegas, NV. It's massive spherical outer screen, the hallmark feature, fits perfectly for that area. However, it is exactly why it should never be allowed to be built on the Potomac waterfront. There are three key concerns with this proposal:

1. Destroying Historic Character:

The proposal calls for it to be built adjacent to MGM National Harbor, directly across from the historic Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. The light pollution caused by this venue will be disruptive to the whole waterfront area. Not just those who live along it, but the millions who visit our downtown for its historic character that has been well-preserved over decades. The light pollution is not the only issue, but what this display is used for. A major source of revenue for the Sphere is exterior advertising. It is a billboard just as much as it is an entertainment venue. Based on the current location operating in Vegas, advertisements will be flashing and animating across the entire exterior, causing distraction and making the waterfront much less desirable.

(Examples of the current Sphere in Las Vegas used for Advertising. Historic Alexandria Waterfront/Ford's Landing. Image Credits: 1. Stunning Las Vegas Sphere on Facebook 2. Don Juan Moore/Getty Images 3. Dreamstime)

2. Safety

The venue will sit directly along the Beltway, I-495. This stretch is one of the most crash-prone areas in the nation, already saddled with many interchanges, and the local-thru lane split. Adding this will as a distraction is only making this worse. As mentioned previously, the whole premise of the venue is to grab your attention, with "branded content." This does not bode well for a roadway that carries 200,000+ vehicles per day.

This building, as designed, violated Maryland's own laws on outdoor signs

The State of Maryland has strict regulations on digital billboards. 

If the Sphere shows ads for content not sold in the venue, it is classified as an "Off-Premise Billboard." 

MD Code, Transportation, § 8-733:

"(b) A sign that includes or is lighted by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light is prohibited, unless that sign is giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather, or similar information."

MD Code, Transportation, § 8-731: 

"(a) The size of an outdoor sign along or near a federal-aid primary highway shall conform to the limitations specified in this section.                                                                                                            

(b) For purposes of this section, the area of a sign shall be measured by any combination of the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, or circle that will encompass the entire sign, including its border and trim but excluding any ornamental base, apron supports, or other structural members.

(c) An outdoor sign may not have an area greater than 1,000 square feet, with a maximum height of 25 feet and a maximum length of 50 feet."

Zoning Ordinance for Prince George’s County: 

27-61503. Prohibited Signs: "Any moving signs or devices that attract attention, all or any part of which moves by any means, including floating, fluttering, flashing, flashing with intermittent lights, rotating, or otherwise moving devices, set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or by mechanical, electrical, or any other means including, but not limited to, pennants, flags, propellers, balloons, or discs, whether or not any device has a written message;"

27-61504. General Standards
 "(2) Animated Illumination

(A) Animated sign illumination is prohibited, except in accordance with Subsection 27-61504(a)(2)(B) below. 

(B) Signs on which the only copy that changes is the electronic indication of time, temperature, stock market, or similar information are permitted in all zones except the Rural and Agricultural and Residential base zones and the R-PD Zone. Changes in copy shall be spaced at least eight seconds apart and shall be accomplished without the use of animation, movement, or scrolling."
 

Based on the current proposed design, and the operation of the current location in Las Vegas, The Sphere is most likely in violation of all these regulations, which exist for a very good reason to protect the safety of all of us driving every day.

The Sphere also sits adjacent to the flight path for DCA Airport, and could pose a distraction to what is already a congested aerospace. Strict FAA review will be needed.

Dark Sky regulations also exist to protect visibility to the night sky, which the proposed design almost certainly violates.

Finally, the building sits along the Atlantic Flyway, a key bird migration path. These high intensity light sources can cause what's known as "Avian Entrapment" and be fatal to birds as they are attracted to these objects. 

3. Value for Maryland Residents

In total, Maryland is proposing providing as much as $200 Million in subsidies and incentives to this project. This project will not provide a meaningful benefit to the local area, whether that be Oxon Hill, MD or Alexandria, VA. Yes is it located in National Harbor, but that is not Vegas and doesn't need to attempt to be. Executive Braveboy of Prince George's County states: “[The Sphere will] really dwarf what we currently receive from the Commanders and Six Flags combined …The estimates that we’re looking at yearly will more than triple what we’re currently getting.” This reads as a desperate attempt, after losing two important revenue generators, not a sound financial decision for the county and state.

In short, the Sphere is no doubt an innovative venue, but this location is not at all the spot for it. Growing tourism and entertainment is a great thing and can provide many benefits without destroying the surrounding region and having numerous safety hazards. A second Sphere had already been proposed for London, UK and was rejected for many of these reasons. The State of Maryland and Prince George's County should follow suit.

Please contact the Prince George's County Council and the Maryland General Assembly to oppose this project. Public Hearings should be soon. County Executive Braveboy has stated they aim to begin construction by the end of this year. They are trying to fast-track this destructive project, this must not be approved!

(Image Credits: 1. Visit Alexandria 2. ALXNow)