D.C. Council member Charles Allen on Wednesday known as out Mayor Muriel Bowser’s inaction for why basketball’s Washington Wizards and hockey’s Washington Capitals plan to relocate to Virginia.
Mr. Allen, Ward 6 Democrat, mentioned in a press release that the mayor’s workplace took the Wizards and Capitals with no consideration whereas courting the NFL’s Washington Commanders in hopes they’d return to the RFK Stadium website.
He mentioned he had urged the town this yr to work with Ted Leonsis, who owns the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League franchises, and assist modernize the 26-year-old Capital One Arena to maintain the groups downtown.
Mr. Leonsis introduced he desires to maneuver each groups to the Potomac Yard space of Alexandria by late 2028 throughout a Wednesday press occasion with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, and Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat.
Virginia’s General Assembly should approve the relocation throughout its upcoming legislative session subsequent month. Still, Mr. Allen mentioned the announcement confirmed that Mr. Leonsis felt his wants weren’t being met within the District of Columbia.
“Instead of prioritizing the cultural and economic engines already in our backyard, ones that are central to our continued recovery, we’ve only seen greater focus on the shiny object — and the less fruitful deal — for D.C.’s economy,” Mr. Allen mentioned in a press release. “Today’s move wasn’t inevitable, but avoiding it required far more focus in the past year than it ever received from the administration.”
Ms. Bowser put ahead a last-ditch $500 million money supply to Mr. Leonsis this week, however the enterprise magnate appeared to be set on creating the $2 billion sports activities and leisure district within the D.C. suburbs.
If the Virginia Legislature approves the deal subsequent month, it might break floor as quickly as 2025.
Mr. Allen mentioned D.C. must “move aggressively to transform downtown, with or without the Wizards and Capitals, and we must be strategic about our investments.”
Downtown has struggled to rebound from its pandemic hunch, largely on account of federal workplace staff being allowed to work remotely.
