You don’t have to have gotten A's in geometry or calculus to know that the proposed Sphere at National Harbor will change more than Prince George’s County’s skyline. The approximately $1.4 billion, 6,000-seat entertainment venue represents a significant opportunity for the entire Washington metropolitan area—and a substantial test of the construction industry’s ability to deliver innovation with accountability and dispel the notion that a project without a project labor agreement (PLA) will erode opportunities for community partners.

Regional Opportunities and Impacts

For neighboring jurisdictions, the potential benefits extend beyond entertainment. Visitors to the Sphere will need places to stay, places to eat, and places to shop. And there is no shortage of places to sightsee in Alexandria, Fairfax County, Arlington, and the District of Columbia. Regional contractors, suppliers, and professional firms will have the opportunity to compete for work connected to the venue and related development. The success of these opportunities, however, will depend on how well the entire region encourages visitors to explore beyond National Harbor.

The regional effects could also include greater competition for tourism dollars, skilled workers, materials, and construction capacity. Transportation planning will cross jurisdictional boundaries. Event traffic, construction deliveries, and visitor travel could place additional pressure on the already heavily traveled Capital Beltway and Woodrow Wilson Bridge corridor. Coordinating transportation, emergency response, and public communication will be essential. Fortunately, the Washington metropolitan region is used to interjurisdictional coordination, and the Sphere project will benefit from the long history of the region working together.

Construction Opportunities and Responsibilities

For the construction industry, the Sphere offers opportunities across structural engineering, electrical systems, digital displays, acoustics, and building technology. Apprenticeships and partnerships with local training programs could turn a major construction undertaking into a pathway toward lasting careers for local residents.

These benefits come with responsibilities. It will be imperative for contractors to establish realistic schedules, coordinate specialized systems early, and address procurement risks before delays become disputes. Contracts should clearly allocate responsibility for design coordination, technology integration, changes, payment, insurance, and performance testing.

Community Participation and Accountability

Community participation must also produce measurable results. County officials have emphasized local hiring, minority business participation, workforce development, and accountability in shaping community benefits commitments. Contractors should translate applicable commitments into accessible bidding opportunities, meaningful subcontracting relationships, timely payments, and reliable reporting.

Finally, project teams should address noise, dust, stormwater, energy use, lighting, and neighborhood access throughout planning and construction. Residents need clear information and a dependable process for resolving concerns. The construction industry has an opportunity to increase visitor traffic to the area while building local businesses, strengthening the workforce, and earning the confidence of surrounding communities. The gravitational pull of the project will have an impact for many years to come. If you’d like guidance for your construction business, please contact Juanita Ferguson at (703) 284-7243 or jferguson@beankinney.com.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not contain or convey legal advice. Consult a lawyer. Any views or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily the views of any client.