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Hearing Set for Construction of MGM Casino in National Harbor

MGM Resorts website

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) - The Prince George's County Council is expected to clear the way for construction of a new MGM casino at National Harbor.

The county council is holding a hearing Monday and is expected to approve MGM's application. That would allow construction to begin within weeks for a casino slated to open by the summer of 2016.

The county planning board approved the project May 8, despite hearing complaints from residents and community leaders who object to the building's lighting features and giant video screens.

Officials with MGM Resorts International say the video screens are an important part of the building's operation and design.

The company is planning a 300-room glass tower hotel and a complex with 3,600 slot machines, 140 gaming tables, a theater, several restaurants, a spa and high-end stores.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.