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Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
8,128 posts, read 7,547,924 times
Reputation: 5785
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnsonkk
Now there are growing concerns that the Metro won’t be able to support the new Wizard stadium 8n NOVA. So handing over one problem from DC creates another.
“ Could Metro riders be stuck waiting for a ride home an hour after a game ends at the prospective Monumental Sports arena in Alexandria, Virginia?
Without any upgrades, the Potomac Yard metro station could be extremely crowded for 60 to 90 minutes after a game, when more than 10,000 sports fans are expected to be walking, biking or taking public transit out of the area, according to the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership update. Transportation plans for the proposed arena were unveiled last week.”
Leonsis doesn't care about this honestly at this point. He cares about building his "campus style" development in an up and coming part of the region to house his entertainment district and Monumental HQ building. He likely has his hand in Youngkin's pocket already along with the JBG Smith guys and are pretty dead set on moving the team there. I overheard that Youngkin is all in on being ok with the proper Metro funding/financing over future years to make this work along with other Metro upgrades. Yesterday I even saw a commercial with the owner's son on TV pushing to make this new arena happen in VA.
If this location goes through it will be a disaster from an attendence standpoint.Taking metro from MD or DC will be extremely inconvenient. Especially getting home late at night. Travel times will more than double for most people.
Most people will want to drive. But the Alexandria mayor has to preserve the fiction that people will use metro so they won't build enough parking. This has failure written all over it.
If this location goes through it will be a disaster from an attendence standpoint.Taking metro from MD or DC will be extremely inconvenient. Especially getting home late at night. Travel times will more than double for most people.
Most people will want to drive. But the Alexandria mayor has to preserve the fiction that people will use metro so they won't build enough parking. This has failure written all over it.
DC and MD fans can still drive but park in Franconia and take metro in. After the game, the rush will be to go north, so easy metro back south to Franconia, pay parking, and drive home. Purpose of metro served.
Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
8,128 posts, read 7,547,924 times
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This interview aired yesterday. Leonsis basically is sold on Virginia at this point. I take it any movement to sweeten the deal by DC at this point would be just performative. He mentions once again the ability to build a campus style development on multiple acres by a Metro station. Then also points out the ability to build upward and get more max usage out of the land area, with the inability to do that in DC due to the height limits. Things really just are pending on how this plays out politically and with local Alexandrians and the state legislature in VA. If it comes pass on that side, the teams are moving. I don't see DC stopping this.
Leonsis does also say that crime although understandbly higher in recent moments was not really much of a heavy weighing factor in choosing to move, and that he's pretty certain the crime levels will go downward at some point. While claiming to still want to keep a "presence" in DC by having two arenas open at once.
The Metro has always been an issue after games, that has nothing to do with it being in NoVa. If a game runs long at Nats Park, it's a problem as well. And I remember talk about it being an issue if Caps playoff games go into OT as well. You might as well say that as long as WMATA is unable to organize increased service around sporting events (something most transit organizations in the world can do without much trouble), any arena/stadium dependent on public transit in the D.C. area is a recipe for a bad customer experience.
That's what I don't like about the proposal. You're moving to Virginia, have the courage of your convictions and make it a car-friendly development. There's far more Caps fans in the far-flung suburbia of Fairfax and Loudoun than in the high rises in Crystal City.
DC and MD fans can still drive but park in Franconia and take metro in. After the game, the rush will be to go north, so easy metro back south to Franconia, pay parking, and drive home. Purpose of metro served.
In theory yes, but you combine a long drive with the hassle of a metro ride. As VV said, either keep this centrally located at the core of the regional transit system or put it next to a major highway with ample parking. Maybe New Carlton or Tysons
Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
8,128 posts, read 7,547,924 times
Reputation: 5785
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpdivola
In theory yes, but you combine a long drive with the hassle of a metro ride. As VV said, either keep this centrally located at the core of the regional transit system or put it next to a major highway with ample parking. Maybe New Carlton or Tysons
That's a more horrible decision. At least Leonsis is attempting to keep this near the core and 3 miles from Chinatown. None of the Metro stations in Tysons nor New Carrollton are currently close equipped to handle a $2B stadium district without significant upgrades at that locations either. Potomac Yard has 12 current acres with a potential for 70 acres of future development, and is all owned by one developer.
What you're suggesting would just be another Cap Centre scenario all over again.
Last edited by the resident09; 02-09-2024 at 08:29 PM..
That's a more horrible decision. At least Leonsis is attempting to keep this near the core and 3 miles from Chinatown. None of the Metro stations in Tysons nor New Carrollton are currently close equipped to handle a $2B stadium district without significant upgrades at that locations either. Potomac Yard has 12 current acres with a potential for 70 acres of future development, and is all owned by one developer.
What you're suggesting would just be another Cap Centre scenario all over again.
Yeah, I don't think either is a great scenario. But I'm pretty skeptical that most people will metro from Rockville or District Heights to PY on a random Tuesday night. Even much of the Silver/Orange line will have a longer trip than currently.
The bill to create a stadium authority is stalled in the VA Senate. I'm sure this isn't the end of the process. Right now it looks like the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee is holding it up. Perhaps it can still pass without going through the Senate committee or can be reworked to win over sufficient support. But it is certainly a setback for the move to VA.
The bill to create a stadium authority is stalled in the VA Senate. I'm sure this isn't the end of the process. Right now it looks like the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee is holding it up. Perhaps it can still pass without going through the Senate committee or can be reworked to win over sufficient support. But it is certainly a setback for the move to VA.
Is it safe to post in the DC section without angry Northern Virginia-er’s ready to rip heads off over anything short of saying DC is hell on earth?
This was always going to be an enormous obstacle. If NoVa is so lucrative for his teams, why does he need state money?
And it’s worth noting. This is the first obstacle…god knows if there are lawsuits waiting in the wings that would further delay this to oblivion.
The one thing going for Alexandria is their government seems on board, for now, plus I can see Youngkin pressuring Dems to support the stadium funding by latching it on to WMATA or something.
It just seems very surprising to me they had all the fan fair, press conferences, etc rolled out for something so far from a done deal.
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