Washington, D.C
D.C. Mayor Submits Plan for City to Buy Capital One Arena for $88M
After a whirlwind year for Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena, officials have gone from nearly losing both the city’s pro basketball and hockey teams less than a year ago, to attempting to buy their home arena outright.
District Mayor Muriel Bowser submitted legislation to the D.C. Council to acquire the arena for $87.5 million, as part of the city’s commitment toward spending $515 million to renovate the arena and part of the surrounding area over the next several years. NBC4 first reported the news of the legislation on Sunday.
Under the bill, D.C. would buy the arena from Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Wizards and Capitals, and then lease it back to Monumental for $1.5 million per year. The lease would run until 2050 with five four-year extension options. If all of those renewal options are greenlighted, rent will increase to $3.3 million during the final renewal term. D.C. already owns the land on which the arena is built.
Monumental said that it would also spend $285 million toward the improvements, along with the $87.5 million arena sale proceeds, making the renovation budget a cool $800 million in public and private funds.
“We know that when our downtown does well, our city does well,” Bowser said in a statement Monday. “This catalytic investment is an investment in our residents and businesses in all eight wards.”
Bowser’s plan to buy the arena extends a stunning reversal in good fortune since Monumental founder and Chairman Ted Leonsis and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced in December that the teams would move across the Potomac, once the company’s ground lease in D.C. expired in 2027. Yet Virginia’s General Assembly ultimately opted not to approve the plan, which would’ve cost some $1.5 billion in taxpayer funds toward the construction of a 9 million-square-foot entertainment district in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood.
Bowser and Leonsis quickly negotiated the $515 million deal in the aftermath. The deal will include 200,000 square feet of “newly programmed space” at the arena and at the adjacent Gallery Place building, a new practice facility for the Wizards, safety and logistics upgrades, expedited permitting processes, improvements to the alley joining the arena to the rest of the Gallery Place neighborhood, and other terms.
Bowser’s team and Monumental on Monday said that the improvements were expected to be finished in time for the 2027-2028 sports season.
“The delivery of a brand-new arena marks the next significant investment Monumental Sports is making in the revitalization of Downtown D.C., and we will build a best-in-class experience for fans, a world-class destination facility for athletes, and continue to serve as a downtown anchor for economic vitality,” Leonsis said in a statement. “Our vision for a wholly reimagined sports and entertainment destination will be ambitious, reflective of our community, and designed to ‘wow’ our most ardent supporters as well as casual fans.”
Nick Trombola can be reached at ntrombola@commercialobserver.com.
DMV prepares for Trump administration with mixed anticipation
Maryland and Virginia are gearing up to welcome in a new administration to Washington. While Virginia’s Republican governor hopes to benefit, Maryland’s governor is facing questions about a move to hire an outside contractor to deal with the president-elect. It comes as the state faces a budget crisis.
WASHINGTON – Leaders in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are gearing up to welcome the Trump administration back into Washington.
While Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin hopes to benefit, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is facing questions about a move to hire an outside contractor to deal with the president-elect. It comes as the state faces a budget crisis.
That contract pays the consulting company Accenture $190,000 to provide the Moore administration with “risk management and scenario planning,” which may mean possible legal challenges to the Trump White House.
In an email to FOX 5, a spokesperson for Gov. Moore’s office defended the move, saying hiring outside consultant help is a standard part of any organization and that the state needs to prepare for any challenges it may face.
But Maryland’s House Republican leader tells FOX 5 that with the state facing a possible billion-dollar budget gap, there are better uses for taxpayer dollars.
“I think we’d be better off to sort of have a bipartisan approach. Stop the partisanship, stop the constant 24/7 politics and work for things that make Maryland better,” said House GOP leader Rep. Jason Buckel.
DMV Democrats have been warning the incoming Trump administration could have a big impact on issues like the number of federal jobs in this area, from immigration enforcement to healthcare and policing.
“Locally, we must prepare to address the potential impacts of the new administration. The president-elect has recommitted to his goal of “dismantling government bureaucracy,” said Fairfax Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, a Democrat.
Tuesday night, the Democratic Board of Supervisors Chair warned that the Trump administration poses a “risk” but Gov. Youngkin, a long-time supporter of Trump, says the new administration will benefit Virginia.
“We’ll now have someone in the White House who believes in all of that so I look forward to having the wind at our backs as opposed to in our faces about everything that we’re doing because we’ve gone the bottom of job growth to near the top of the country,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also requested a meeting with President-elect Trump.
Bowser previously met with Trump during his first term. A spokesman for the mayor tells FOX 5 they’ve been in touch with the Trump team and don’t have a timeline on when or where that meeting will happen.
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough High School Debate Club, led by teacher Bob Fenster and co-advisor Louis DiGirolamo, traveled to Washington DC this past weekend to compete in the prestigious Princeton Model Congress.
While in the nation’s capital, the students had the opportunity to engage with alumni working in government and public policy.
The visit included a panel discussion featuring three of Mr. Fenster’s accomplished former students, representing diverse political perspectives:
Find out what’s happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Daria Grastara (Class of 2013): CEO of Direct Persuasion, a full-service marketing agency serving political candidates, committees, and public affairs groups. Ms. Grastara has held senior roles in Republican political campaigns, developing and executing digital strategies.
- Yuval Levin (Class of 1995): Founding editor of National Affairs and director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. A prominent conservative thinker, Mr. Levin is a respected author and commentator on politics, culture, and public policy. He also served in the legislative branch early in his career.
- Zach Volpe (Class of 2019): Staff Assistant on the Senate Armed Services Committee and a Juris Doctor candidate at Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Volpe, who has worked for both Republican and Democrat senators, specializes in national security law and has contributed to research and commentary on a range of defense and foreign policy issues.
The panel discussion, showcasing a breadth of ideological viewpoints, provided current debate club members with valuable insights into careers in public service and the impact of policy decisions.
Fenster, a long-time educator at Hillsborough High School, has a remarkable track record of fostering student interest in civic engagement. Many of his former students have gone on to pursue successful careers in government, law, and policy.
Find out what’s happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This trip was an incredible experience for our students,” said Fenster. “Hearing from our alumni who are making a real difference in Washington underscores the importance of critical thinking, debate, and public service. I’m incredibly proud of all they have accomplished.”
In addition to the panel discussion, the students also had the opportunity to connect with Aman Thakker (Class of 2013), Associate Vice President at The Asia Group and an Adjunct Fellow with the Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The Hillsborough High School Debate Club celebrated a successful trip to the Princeton Model Congress competition, where several students received recognition for their outstanding performance:
- Sam Strauss (11) and Nirav Banerjee (12) earned Best Delegate awards
- Lohith Venkatesh (10), Annika Lambert-Smith (10), Aditi Polamuri (10), Sanjana Bhatta (12), and Fred Gordon (12) received Honorable Mentions
This trip highlights the lasting impact of dedicated educators and the potential of young people to shape the future.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.
Washington, D.C
3 suspects armed with machine gun at large after morning robbery in Southeast DC: police
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three to four suspects committed an armed robbery in Southeast, D.C. and at least one was armed with a machine gun, according to police.
Police responded to the 4400 block of H Street for the report of an armed robbery on Wednesday morning.
The suspects are described as Black men, potentially teenagers, all wearing dark clothes with ski masks. Police say the suspects fled the scene in a 2017 Grey Hyundai Elantra with D.C. tags, license plate #GF8789.
According to police, the suspects were seen headed east on H Street towards Benning Road.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact police.
Oklahoma initiative kicks off by training librarians to help with telehealth visits
High wind watch issued for Oregon for Friday
Pennsylvania Passes Bitcoin Rights Bill, Proposes Strategic Reserve
The future of charter schools in Rhode Island – The Boston Globe
JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, South Carolina highlight women’s games to watch this week
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Read the Verdict in the Civil Case Against Amber Guyger
Democrat Tammy Baldwin details recipe for running in a swing state after victory in Trump-won Wisconsin
Are users deserting Elon Musk’s X en masse and where are they heading?
Sarah McBride: Republican speaker backs proposal to ban transgender women from women's restrooms in US Congress, Sarah McBride responds | World News – Times of India
Trump-district House Democrat loses Alaska seat to political scion
-
News1 week agoHerbert Smith Freehills to merge with US-based law firm Kramer Levin
-
Business1 week ago
Column: OpenAI just scored a huge victory in a copyright case … or did it?
-
Health1 week agoBird flu leaves teen in critical condition after country's first reported case
-
Business4 days agoColumn: Molly White's message for journalists going freelance — be ready for the pitfalls
-
World1 week agoSarah Palin, NY Times Have Explored Settlement, as Judge Sets Defamation Retrial
-
Politics3 days agoTrump taps FCC member Brendan Carr to lead agency: 'Warrior for Free Speech'
-
Science1 day agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
Technology3 days agoInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI
