Grand Vision for National Harbor Takes Form

To circumvent the opposition the earlier projects attracted from environmentalists and regulatory agencies, Peterson lobbied in the late 1990s to have jurisdiction over the project shifted to Prince George's County from the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission. It took three years and tens of thousands of dollars in lobbying costs, but Congress complied. The state also kicked in nearly $300 million in aid. The justification, according to county documents, was the estimated $1.8 billion in tax benefits from National Harbor.

Peterson had built more than 40,000 homes and 18 million square feet of commercial space in Northern Virginia, but interest in National Harbor has been greater than anything he has done in his 50 years as a developer.

Pressured by Prince George's officials, he established a 30 percent minority business participation in the project. Peterson also agreed to spend $3.5 million over 10 years on community initiatives, a commitment that caused him headaches when The Post reported this month that money was given to groups that hadn't applied for it.

Nevertheless, Peterson is closer to making this project a reality than any developer before him. Four hotels, three office buildings, three residential buildings, five restaurants and 4,500 parking spaces are well underway. The flagship Gaylord hotel, a critical anchor to the development, has already booked nearly 900,000 room nights and next week will top off its 10-story building.

To make all this happen, Peterson jumped through every hoop he saw. Even then, he hasn't always gotten his way.

Earlier this spring, his company requested a state liquor permit that would allow National Harbor guests to stroll parts of the grounds with cocktails in hand. A Prince George's County official expressed unhappiness that he heard about the measure indirectly. His office summoned Peterson to provide details of the proposal -- personally.

Peterson recalls the moment with a furrowed brow, pauses, then slaps his thigh and drawls, "Come on, boy, giddyup!" lampooning the official.

He laughs now at the memory. "I said, 'Certainly, sir. Right away, sir.' " Then he sits back in his leather chair and takes a long slug of scotch. A low growl rumbles from his throat. "That's business."

A Changing Landscape

"The Awakening" has been part of the Washington landscape for so long that it is widely considered public property. Artist J. Seward Johnson installed it at Hains Point in 1980 as part of an international sculpture conference. He had wanted to donate it, but the National Park Service could not accept site-specific art gifts, according to Paula Stoeke, director of the Sculpture Foundation, which ultimately took title to the piece and maintained it. "The piece has enjoyed such an affectionate relationship with the community and visitors to Washington over the years," she said.

Peterson is among its many admirers. Several years ago, he saw an item in the paper about the sculpture being for sale. He bought it recently for about $750,000, signing a confidentiality agreement with the foundation not to disclose the purchase. It is unclear what, if anything, may take its place on Hains Point, but Johnson recently wrote in a letter to Peterson: "I have reviewed the plans made for the location and I think it will be perfect . . . Charlie, as I understand he is now dubbed, should be very happy in his new home."

Moving the sculpture away from the District could create a stir, Peterson realizes. That's exactly what he's looking for.

You want it to be controversial, he says. Provocative. The worst thing would be no reaction at all. Peterson wants to throw in some history at National Harbor, too, and is talking to an artist about making a trio of sculptures that tell how surveyor Benjamin Banneker, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson helped design the District. Though plans change daily, he's thinking the pieces will look good gazing beyond the two, 750-foot piers and the party tent toward the District. Bob Weis, senior vice president at Walt Disney Imagineering, is advising on the sculptures.