March 28, 2024
Dear Washingtonians,
There's no place like home.
Several months ago, we came together as a city and said that we were going to fight for our teams. And yesterday, we announced that the Wizards and Capitals will stay in DC and play in a transformed Capital One Arena ? a win-win-win for the city, for our teams, and for the fans.??
This is a catalytic investment in Downtown DC. We are investing $515 million in the total transformation of the arena and the expansion of Monumental's footprint in Downtown. We have an opportunity to create an iconic space in the nation's capital that not only best serves the teams, but best serves the entire region. With the teams in DC at least through 2050, this is an investment that will have a reverberating impact on our economy ? and across our city ? by creating jobs, spurring economic activity, and generating tax revenue to fund programs and services across all eight wards.?
 As we look ahead to an exciting future with a state-of-the-art urban arena in Downtown DC, I want to thank all the people and teams who were part of this effort:
- Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert, Sarosh Olpadwala, Jonathan Kayne, and the entire DMPED Big Deal Team.?
- The Gallery Place/Chinatown Task Force, led by Jodie McLean and Deborah Ratner Salzberg, who have led the way in envisioning and planning for a thriving Chinatown neighborhood that welcomes residents, businesses, and visitors.
- The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) and the Golden Triangle BID, led by Gerren Price and Leona Agouridis, who collaborated on a transformational Downtown Action Plan that truly embraces the potential of Downtown DC.
- Chairman Phil Mendelson and the Council of the District of Columbia for passing Secure DC and unanimously supporting the deal we put forward in December.
- The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department who work every day to keep our city safe and who have played an enormous role in driving down crime during the first three months of 2024.?
- All the District agencies and teams represented at the Safe Commercial Corridor Hub in Chinatown who are coming together to represent a whole-of-government approach to keeping people safe.
- The grassroots activists, especially Don't Mute DC and Ronald Moten who, in the midst of building the Go-Go Museum & Caf? in Anacostia, fought hard for DC and represented the never-give-up resiliency of Washingtonians.?
There is a lot to be excited about in Washington, DC right now; our comeback is working and the state of the District is strong. DC is the number one city in the country for tech careers and among the top cities for women-owned business openings. We are leading the country in per capita restaurant openings and office-to-housing conversions. Tourism is rebounding. Our public school enrollment is up two years in a row. Crime is trending down. Unlike many of our peer cities, DC?s population is growing.
And we are the Sports Capital: the Spirit won a thrilling home opener at Audi Field last Saturday and D.C. United will be back this Saturday, the Nationals will host their home opener in Navy Yard on Monday, the DC Defenders will be back at Audi Field in April and the Mystics at the ESA in May, and our Capitals and Wizards will be in DC for many years to come.?
We are excited to have Ted Leonsis and Monumental Sports as our partners in DC?s Comeback. And tonight, as the Capitals enter the final stretch of the season with a playoff push, we hope this monumental announcement gives them the momentum to finish strong and get the win.?
Let's keep pushing,
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