Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All is not lost. Read about how Connecticut tried to get the Patriots to move to CT in the late 90s, which was basically a done deal….until it wasn’t.

Enough with this conspiracy theory. It’s not an act.

You don’t get the governor to change his schedule unless the deal is already signed.

Exactly.

This is from June. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/23/monumental-nationals-dc-bowser/

DC acted like they took for granted that the teams would stay, or they didn't really care if they left. No one effectively addressed concerns raised by the owners. Meetings and pilot projects did not lead to lasting change.

This is no overnight thing.

Losing the caps and the wizards is a genuine disaster for DC. The entire downtown was revitalized because of that arena. City revenues will fall off the cliff.

You think maybe now the mayor and the city council might do something about crime? It's just a couple of hundred repeat offenders. The police know who they are. Maybe arrest them? Put them in prison? Just a thought. Instead of losing a city.

But as always, this is entirely on the DC residents that voted for these people.

The wording in March 2023 was careful and clear

She noted the increase in security presence isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to a spike in crime, or a specific incident, rather that Leonsis wants his fans to enjoy themselves without having to worry at all about their safety.

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

Then in July the USAO was pressured to increase prosecutions re: those arrested in the area. Not sure if the pilot project has any significant duration.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/08/05/chinatown-crime-dc-police/

The whole area just feels lawless, day or night

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/suspect-takes-armed-guards-gun-during-robbery-at-walgreens-in-chinatown

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All is not lost. Read about how Connecticut tried to get the Patriots to move to CT in the late 90s, which was basically a done deal….until it wasn’t.

Enough with this conspiracy theory. It’s not an act.

You don’t get the governor to change his schedule unless the deal is already signed.

This pretty much sums it up, I think Leonsis is done with Chinatown. I know I avoid it, so, don't blame him. He won't be the only one speaking with his feet either. Companies and taxpayers are also reaching their limits although interest rates are holding many in place for now.

Anonymous wrote:All is not lost. Read about how Connecticut tried to get the Patriots to move to CT in the late 90s, which was basically a done deal….until it wasn’t.

Enough with this conspiracy theory. It’s not an act.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tom Sherwood reports that event tents are set up at the Virginia site for an official announcement tomorrow of the big move to Virginia.

I drove by them today, they're there next to the Virginia Tech building behind the shopping center.

VAs State and national legislators will be in attendance.

Anonymous wrote:Could we add a street car or some bike lanes to get them to stay?

I think if the streetcar had a lot of cost overruns and didn't really GO anywhere, that could work!!!

All is not lost. Read about how Connecticut tried to get the Patriots to move to CT in the late 90s, which was basically a done deal….until it wasn’t.

Anonymous wrote:Tom Sherwood reports that event tents are set up at the Virginia site for an official announcement tomorrow of the big move to Virginia.

I drove by them today, they're there next to the Virginia Tech building behind the shopping center.

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the H street/china town/ gallery place area is going to fall into a black hole dump like it was pre the capital one arena being built. Someone remind me, what was in that space before?

From what I remember, it was a hodge podge of low buildings housing small businesses and houses. What is now City Center was a city block size surface lot that was used by car rental companies. The whole area had a lot of small businesses, Chinese stores, Chinese restaurants, etc., before the development.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One_Arena

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the H street/china town/ gallery place area is going to fall into a black hole dump like it was pre the capital one arena being built. Someone remind me, what was in that space before?

I think the Hecht Co. parking garage for downtown shoppers was there. That’s back when people shopped downtown. The old Hechts is the historic building with the white facade across from the arena.

Increased security around the arena is such a BS response. Just moving the criminals down the block on game nights. No real program to cut crime.

Could we add a street car or some bike lanes to get them to stay?