Is "The Sphere" the new Arena?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will be able to enjoy Sphere’s digital light show from the Old Town Alexandria waterfront.

You mean from south of the WWB? That's not exactly Old Town, nor a benefit.

No one goes to National Harbor. No public transportation, the parking is absurd, the riffraff is increasing.

At least when they were talking about building an arena in PY, there's a metro stop right there. And that was still a bad idea. Moore must be getting kickbacks, because this makes no economical sense. And no one wants it, but like 3 people.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why they need this when the MGM at National Harbor already has a venue that holds around 4,000. I saw a few big acts there (Britney Spears for example) and it was fun. This sphere thing will only hold 5-6,000 so not much bigger and is right next door. Makes zero sense.

[Anonymous]

Its not too late to run a streetcar line from Benning Road to National Harbor via M Street and South capitol Street.

[Anonymous]

How on earth is this a good idea when MD is staring down a 1.4B deficit??

This reeks of "ooh look at this distraction so you dont have to see how bad the budget has gotten". And of course makes it worse as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How on earth is this a good idea when MD is staring down a 1.4B deficit??

This reeks of "ooh look at this distraction so you dont have to see how bad the budget has gotten". And of course makes it worse as well.

The advocates are claiming $1 billion/year in "economic impact." If that's true, the $200 million in public funds seems well spent. Of course, the details matter. It's not like anyone else wants to build a school or data center next to the MGM.

The Commanders are leaving in a few years and Six Flags is gone. This is surprising move by a local government. Instead of finding new taxes, they found a replacement entertainment complex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will be able to enjoy Sphere’s digital light show from the Old Town Alexandria waterfront.

You mean from south of the WWB? That's not exactly Old Town, nor a benefit.

No one goes to National Harbor. No public transportation, the parking is absurd, the riffraff is increasing.

At least when they were talking about building an arena in PY, there's a metro stop right there. And that was still a bad idea. Moore must be getting kickbacks, because this makes no economical sense. And no one wants it, but like 3 people.

As I recall, the metro station at Potomac Yard was "completely inadequate" and would have needed to be completely replaced. It did make more sense than the existing pile of nothing special in Potomac Yard, but Alexandria wanted legal cannabis sales instead of an entertainment complex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its not too late to run a streetcar line from Benning Road to National Harbor via M Street and South capitol Street.

a joke? or genuine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How on earth is this a good idea when MD is staring down a 1.4B deficit??

This reeks of "ooh look at this distraction so you dont have to see how bad the budget has gotten". And of course makes it worse as well.

The advocates are claiming $1 billion/year in "economic impact." If that's true, the $200 million in public funds seems well spent. Of course, the details matter. It's not like anyone else wants to build a school or data center next to the MGM.

The Commanders are leaving in a few years and Six Flags is gone. This is surprising move by a local government. Instead of finding new taxes, they found a replacement entertainment complex.

I am very skeptical of the job and revenue numbers. I guess we'll see.

[Anonymous]

It is small so not sure what performers will come. I will say after having seen a concert at the Sphere, it was amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its not too late to run a streetcar line from Benning Road to National Harbor via M Street and South capitol Street.

a joke? or genuine?

DP. Streetcar! Streetcar! Streetcar! Streetcar! Streetcar! Streetcar!

Boomers should do love streetcars and the Big Oil conspiracy. So much so, they want to build the most expensive urban transport solution to prove it.

[Anonymous]

PG County exec is claiming the revenues collected from the Sphere would "far exceed"the revenues from Fedex Field and Six Flags combined. Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PG County exec is claiming the revenues collected from the Sphere would "far exceed"the revenues from Fedex Field and Six Flags combined. Really?

The Las Vegas Sphere has multiple shows a day, $100/ticket minimum. So, it seems possible.

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain what it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PG County exec is claiming the revenues collected from the Sphere would "far exceed"the revenues from Fedex Field and Six Flags combined. Really?

The Las Vegas Sphere has multiple shows a day, $100/ticket minimum. So, it seems possible.

No one's going to go there. No metro, parking at Nat Harbor is awful. Also boring.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t it duplicate what MGM already does?