WASHINGTON — After months of negotiations to keep the Washington Wizards and Capitals in D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to use millions of dollars for the District to buy and own Capital One Arena. The proposal was filed by DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson.
In a legislative proposal introduced Friday, Mayor Bowser called for using $87.5 million of already-approved funding to buy Capital One Arena, located on F Street in Chinatown. The DC Council approved a $515 million funding deal back in April. The 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, which will house additional Monumental offices and a new entrance to the arena.
The proposal would call for the District to lease Capital One Arena back to Monumental Sports and Entertainment through 2050 with the option of five four-year renewals after that. That will shelter Monumental owner Ted Leonsis from hundreds of millions in taxes on the money they’re getting from DC Government.
Bowser and Leonsis officially announced the introduction of legislation supporting the public-private partnership on Monday. In a press release, officials say the partnership will transform Capital One Arena into a new must-visit venue for fans regionally, nationally and globally.
The plan calls for a building to be delivered in time for the 2027-28 season. Monumental Sports says the plan includes 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,” Leonsis said in a press statement. “Our vision for a wholly re-imagined sports and entertainment destination will be ambitious, reflective of our community, and designed to ‘wow’ our most ardent supporters as well as casual fans. We want to capture the magic that comes from providing the most entertaining experience – which every guest deserves."
Bowser called the investment a catalyst for revitalizing the downtown area.
“We’re keeping Washington’s teams where they belong — here in the Sports Capital, and we’re doubling down on having a world-class destination and entertainment district in the center of DC,” Bowser said. “We know that when our Downtown does well, our city does well. This catalytic investment is an investment in our residents and businesses in all eight wards.”
On Monday, eight artist renderings were also released showing what parts of the renovated Capital One area will look like. Changes include overhaul of concourses and improved sight lines from concessions stands; more concession stands and better access to restrooms; and “back of the house” renovations to benefit players and their families, including new locker rooms, film rooms, a players family lounge and training facilities.
"This will be a really, really major transformation," Leonsis said. "It'll look different on the outside, it'll look and feel different on the inside. The parking will be different, the entrances will be different. I mean, that's the key thing on making it new."
Here's a closer look at what to expect.
Best-In-Class Experience for Fans: The new arena concepts reflect an attention to detail for a better fan experience across the interior of the arena – from the moment of arrival until departure. This includes an expanded main entrance at F Street to ease the flow for fans before and after events. Wider concourses and more elevators and escalators are designed so guests can move from space to space faster and more efficiently. And there are plans for approximately 65% more concession space, 30% more restrooms and an expansive new food and beverage experience appealing to the widest array of tastes and showcasing varied cuisines.
World-Class Facility for Athletes: The athlete spaces will grow more than 60% and will include state-of-the-art on-site training rooms, a new player’s lounge and dining space as well as a family lounge for the player’s extended family, doubling the current size. The Washington Capitals will have a new film room in their locker room space, and the Wizards will have a redesigned, on-site training facility, which currently is not possible due to space constraints. Visiting teams will also benefit from improved facilities.
Expanded Back-Of-The-House Capacity: In addition to reimagining the fan and athlete experience, the expansion into Gallery Place – encompassing over 200,000 square feet of space, including below ground, on the event level – provides Monumental’s hospitality staff and back-of-the-house operation the ability to expand their workspace, delivering a more comfortable employee experience. Additionally, the expansion will locate the kitchens closer to where guests will enjoy the assembled food and allows more items to be created on site, maintaining freshness.
Monumental says construction will begin "as soon as is practicable." 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. That means about 30 concerts a summer gone from the downtown economy for three straight summers.
Monumental also won’t have anywhere for the Mystics to play their big games, like when Caitlin Clark comes to town. Leonsis said they are still trying to that figure that out.