It?s not slated to open for two years, but Prince George?s County officials and a developer have hammered out disagreements over minority contract work at the massive National Harbor project on the shores of the Potomac River in Maryland.
Differences over minority contract participation threatened to stall the project.
“Sometimes we travel a different road, but when reasonable people come together, we are able to arrive in a win-win for all stakeholders,” said Prince George?s Councilman Samuel Dean, who represents South Bowie, Largo and Mitchellville.
Several council members wanted to hold Gaylord Entertainment, based in Nashville, to a commitment to award 20 percent of contracts to minority-controlled firms.
Council members were threatening to link the 20 percent minority contract commitment to approval of a $50 million Special Taxing District Bond to be issued to Gaylord for expansion work at the $2 billion project, Gaylord officials said in a letter to the council.
At stake was an additional 500 rooms, which will make a total of 2,000 rooms in Gaylord?s luxury hotel on the 300-acre site.
The hotel, called the Gaylord National, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2008, said Colin V. Reed, Gaylord Entertainment CEO.
Instead of holding the company to 20 percent, the council agreed to hold Gaylord to 15 percent minority contract commitment with a “best effort” to reach 20 percent, said council chairman Thomas. E. Dernoga, who represents Adelphi, Beltsville and other communities.
Prince George?s County Executive Jack Johnson said that when construction is complete, the county will review minority contract participation.
If commitments are not met, Gaylord Entertainment faces up to $21 million in penalties over 30 years, Johnson said.
