WASHINGTON — The monumental proposal of the District of Columbia to purchase Capital One Arena is garnering strong reactions from sports fans and DC taxpayers.
Under Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposal, $87.5 million of already-approved funding would be used to purchase the arena from Monumental Sports and Entertainment. The DC Council approved a $515 million funding deal back in April; money to buy the stadium would come from that allocation. Monumental would also invest an additional $285 million of its own money for an expansion into Gallery Place Mall next door.
The legislative proposal introduced by DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson calls for the District to lease Capital One Arena back to Monumental through 2050, with the option of five four-year renewals after that.
In a press release, officials say the partnership will transform the home of the Washington Capital and Wizards with a full redesign of entrances and exits, safety, lighting, traffic mitigation and public transportation.
“The delivery of a brand-new arena marks the next significant investment Monumental Sports is making in the revitalization of Downtown D.C., and we will build a best-in-class experience for fans, a world-class destination facility for athletes and continue to serve as a downtown anchor for economic vitality,” Monumental owner Ted Leonsis said in a press statement.
Capitals and Wizards fan Jay Morgan said it is time for the nation's capital to have an arena that is worth bragging about.
"We would love to see the Capital One Arena revamped and updated so we can feel like the upper echelon," Morgan said. "And when you feel good, that helps you play better, and if you look good you play better."
If the plan moves forward, there would be no summer concerts during the three-year construction phase, according to Monumental and D.C. officials. Some D.C. residents, like Vaughn Costello, voiced concerns about the economic impact for the neighboring businesses in the Chinatown-Gallery Place corridor that rely on foot traffic.
"They don't know what do with this building," Costello said. "They want to keep it downtown for revenue, but I think it would have been better in Virginia. They have more space."
D.C. activist Ron Moten, however, was a vocal opponent of the plan to move the home of the Washington Wizards and Capitals to Alexandria's Potomac Yard neighborhood.
"From the beginning I knew the value of keeping our teams in D.C. because most people don't know, the businesses downtown pay for a lot of the social program that I believe in," Moten said.
Costello said he is skeptical that the project would even be ready for the 2027 season, as announced by Monumental.
Construction will begin "as soon as is practicable," according to Monumental. During the Wizards' and Capitals' seasons, construction will occur primarily in behind-the-scenes areas, such as player areas and training rooms. During the offseason/summer months, the arena will be closed and construction will occur throughout the arena.
"It's going to be messy. It's going to be long and hard," Leonsis said Monday at a news conference. "Three years of deconstruction and construction."
Amid concerns about the financial impact during the transition phase, D.C. officials said the city is expected to host large-scale events in 2025 that will draw in revenue into the city including World Pride, FIFA fames and national conventions.
Moten says the proposed deal looks good, but as the city moves forward with the project, he urges decision makers to keep native Washingtonians in mind.
"It's not Disneyland," he said. You must keep the culture and spirit of DC as a part of the changes in DC."
