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By Chris Kain Reply with tips, links, events, things or send them to news@thedcline.org
The DC Council today advanced legislation to authorize the District’s $87.5 million purchase of Capital One Arena and finalize a redevelopment agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment little more than five weeks after the legislation’s formal submission by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Councilmembers briefly discussed the bill during a Committee of the Whole meeting prior to a unanimous vote in support of the measure. They later approved the bill as part of the consent agenda at the start of today’s legislative meeting, with the required second vote expected at one of the council’s December meetings in order to finalize approval before the end of the year.
Council Chair Phil Mendelson and other legislators didn’t highlight any changes from the introduced version aside from an increase in the required threshold for contracting with certified business enterprises — now 40%, up from 35% in the agreement originally negotiated by the Bowser administration and Monumental. At-large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, had pressed the issue, seeking a stronger provision notwithstanding Monumental’s stated goal of 50% participation.
In their comments, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen spoke enthusiastically about the agreement underlying the bill, which ensures the Washington Capitals and Wizards will remain at Gallery Place through at least 2050. The bill also authorizes use of $87.5 million in capital funds to purchase the arena — part of the $515 million of spending authorized in the fiscal year 2025 budget and financial plan, approved earlier this year. Monumental has committed to invest at least $285 million toward the renovations, including covering any cost overruns.
“I think this is a project that we should all be proud of,” Pinto said, citing the importance of ensuring that the arena is a “true anchor” of a vibrant downtown.
