ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Excitement and concerns continue to grow more than a week since the major announcement to potentially move the Washington Capitals and Wizards to a new arena in Alexandria.
The proposed site, which is heavily supported by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Virginia) would sit near the newly opened Potomac Yard Metro stop. The desire of Monumental Sports and Entertainment to relocate is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic contributions, but residents are starting to ask at what cost?
The $2 billion proposed development will require bonds from Virginia, which should be paid out throughout the years. State lawmakers must still approve the plan before it reaches the city council.
Under the umbrella of concerns is the issue of flooding, which intensified throughout the last few years in the Old Town and specifically the Del Ray neighborhood.
Although there’s been a major emphasis on traffic improvements, flooding prone areas can’t be ignored, according to experts from Climate Central, a climate science research group.
“This is a climate problem,” Peter Girard of Climate Central told WUSA9. “As rainfall intensifies and as sea levels rise, the risks around this site will only get worse. It's the one thing we know.”
“They do indicate there's a need for more study,” he added. “There may be a need to protect the areas and infrastructure around it and all of these considerations need to be incorporated into the potential costs.”
According to its risk maps that pull data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a number of areas around the proposed site are already prone to coastal flooding.
While the site itself doesn’t appear to have a significant risk, a 10-year flood map, which indicates a roughly 10% chance of flooding happening in any given time by 2030, captures a number of roadways east of the site has the risk including the adjacent Metro station.
The city is already preparing to launch a community engagement period to seek input, but before then, councilwoman and mayoral candidate Alyia Gaskins said hundreds of phone calls and emails suggest the biggest concerns are traffic, infrastructure, and quality of life.
“I'd say all of this has to be concern and something we look at as we begin the community engagement,” Gaskins said. “Del Ray residents said if you're thinking about this site, what are the ways you think about how you pull the pressure from existing pipes and storm water network from Del Ray, and how does that look like?”