Prince George’s County Council has approved $215 million in bond financing for the National Harbor Sphere, but rejected proposals to guarantee unionized construction labor.
The path forward for the massive $1.4 billion Sphere project at National Harbor cleared a critical hurdle Monday, even as the Prince George’s County Council signaled a firm boundary regarding labor requirements for the construction phase.
In an 11-0 vote on Oct. 5, 2026, the council authorized up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to bankroll the 6,000-seat entertainment venue. These bonds are structured to be repaid through revenue generated by the site itself, rather than direct taxpayer levies.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy hailed the decision as a necessary economic engine. particularly as the county faces a shifting landscape of major venues. With the recent closure of Six Flags in Bowie and the Commanders’ planned 2030 departure from Landover. Braveboy framed the project as a critical replacement for lost tax revenue. She projected the Sphere would eventually produce more than triple the tax income of those departing venues. contributing to an overall economic impact of $1.3 billion for the county.
Despite the unanimous support for the project’s financing, the council remained divided on labor protections. While they did approve a labor peace agreement allowing unions to organize workers once the venue opens. they rejected two specific proposals that would have mandated 40% of construction work be reserved for unionized employees.
The decision to reject those construction quotas left labor advocates frustrated. During a September listening session. Lamar Mutts of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters had urged developers to move beyond verbal commitments. citing contractor disputes at the original Las Vegas location. “If you want to be our partner. then be a partner. ” Mutts said. calling for guaranteed wages and benefits for local contractors and young workers.
Council member Wala Blegay. who voted against one of the union-backed proposals. articulated the delicate balance the local government is attempting to strike. She noted that forcing the issue carried the risk of the developer abandoning the site entirely. “We do know that this has been a contentious issue that would have Sphere walk away and we cannot afford to have Sphere walk away in such an important project. ” Blegay said.
The project is expected to create thousands of jobs as construction begins, but the tension between securing the investment and meeting labor demands remains a central narrative. A final vote on the comprehensive project plan is expected in the near future.
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