ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Thursday night was the last of four virtual discussion sessions in Alexandria about a plan to bring a massive sports complex to the area. Key people involved discussed how the arena project would impact the community, small businesses and transportation.
The proposed project would bring about 30,000 jobs to the area and another 10,000 construction jobs. All those people need a place to park. Neighbors who live nearby say they fear the arena project would bring too much traffic to their streets.
"We hear you," said Jackie Sammarco, a director with JGB Smith. "If I were living there I would want to be able to park my own car, so we get it. We hear you, and we're going to solve for that."
Pushback against the proposal to build a $2.8 billion sports and entertainment district, which would also include a practice facility and an arts venue in Potomac Yard, grew since Monumental Sports & Entertainment Owner Ted Leonsis made the announcement alongside Gov. Glenn Youngkin in December.
Members of the Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard spent all Thursday trying to convince 29 lawmakers at the Virginia General Assembly not to support the project.
A key step forward could come Friday. A finance committee is scheduled to consider creating a sports authority that would be the funding mechanism for the project.
Meanwhile, there is another pop-up event for the arena on Sunday in Alexandria. Details on that event can be found here.
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