Wizards and Caps could be moving to Potomac Yard

[Anonymous]

Anyone else remember this press conference? Almost a year since they sounded the alarm about concerns for the safety of employees and those attending games. And the mayhem has only increased.

https://wtop.com/dc/2023/03/monumental-sports-beefs-up-security-as-dc-police-presence-diminishes-downtown/

[Anonymous]

And there it is

[Anonymous]

Welp, lack of revenue may rein in some of the wackier ideas of the Council, so there is that.

For a minute that area was a destination for sports, dining, movies, shopping. I think DC may have peaked under Fenty.

There needs to be serious cleaning house re: the Council and a strong administrator for mayor. With the looming fiscal issues, glad we have plans underway to move, after 30 years.

[Anonymous]

But I was repeatedly told by people on this board that this was all just a negotiating ploy…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I was repeatedly told by people on this board that this was all just a negotiating ploy…

Some people are slow learners...

[Anonymous]

How will this work?

The Parkway cannot be expanded; Rt 1 is a disaster most hours of the day and night, but particularly during rush hour when people would be trying to get to the games, and Virginia is refusing to fund metro, so metro is cutting back service, significantly.

I guess they will take a difficult area and make it impossible. If I lived in that part of Alexandria, I would be furious.

[Anonymous]

God, the number of effing scooters that are going to be left all over the path.

This is also going to increase crime monumentally in Alexandria. F you, Youngkin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God, the number of effing scooters that are going to be left all over the path.

This is also going to increase crime monumentally in Alexandria. F you, Youngkin.

Why is this going to increase crime monumentally ?

[Anonymous]

Have there been efforts by DC to prevent this outcome in recent weeks/days that I may just have missed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God, the number of effing scooters that are going to be left all over the path.

This is also going to increase crime monumentally in Alexandria. F you, Youngkin.

Why is this going to increase crime monumentally ?

Agree that is an odd take.

There is already a lot of development planned for that area, this will help support local businesses. Before DC completely dropped any pretense at civic order, Gallery Place was a thriving destination with the arena as the anchor - restaurants, bars, shopping, it was a fun day/evening out.

Often arenas are put in areas to help gentrification of sketchy neighborhoods, I don't see how in and of themselves they bring crime. Odd take. Potomac Yards is going to be booming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have there been efforts by DC to prevent this outcome in recent weeks/days that I may just have missed?

The report I saw was that the DC Council thought that Leonsis was bluffing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have there been efforts by DC to prevent this outcome in recent weeks/days that I may just have missed?

The report I saw was that the DC Council thought that Leonsis was bluffing.

They are such savvy business people. High level titans on the art of the deal.

[Anonymous]

The Council just wanted that land for dense low income housing probably.

Seems to not be bluffing. I would have thought they would have mobilized some effort in recent days? So much progress is slipping away without any discernable reaction from those in charge. It's startling.

[Anonymous]

Leonsis has been pretty vocal re: concerns and needed changes.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/oct/26/crime-wave-puts-damper-wizards-opening-night-party/

[Anonymous]

Wow, this explains how 200 cars got broken into during a concert. From October link above

The Washington Post reported that the District’s commitment to a police presence during games has decreased from 27 to just three. Transparent Ted’s company, Monumental Sports, has paid off-duty officers to be there. Sources said that the city and Monumental have also made a trade deal for more officers in exchange for recruiting advertising in the building for a chronically understaffed Metropolitan Police Department.