Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is creating a task force, including two former mayors and community leaders, to revitalize the city’s Chinatown neighborhood. This initiative is independent of whether the Washington Capitals and Wizards relocate to Northern Virginia. The task force will concentrate on the development of the two city blocks where Gallery Place and Capital One Arena are situated, as well as shaping the vision for the broader area between the Washington Convention Center, 10th Street NW, Pennsylvania Avenue NW, and 5th Street NW.
The announcement follows Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis’ plan to move the Wizards and Capitals to Alexandria, Virginia. The task force aims to create a vision for the future of downtown blocks, emphasizing Capital One Arena and Gallery Place. The city’s $500 million offer to retain the teams remains on the table, with unanimous council support, and could be allocated to Monumental as early as this spring. The task force’s executive committee includes former mayors Anthony Williams and Adrian Fenty as honorary co-chairs, with a focus on repositioning the downtown area for a new purpose.
Despite the potential departure of sports franchises, city officials view this as an opportunity to reimagine nearly two city blocks in downtown D.C. and revitalize the area. The task force will operate without a specific deadline for presenting recommendations. Ward 2 D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto highlighted the importance of public safety and expressed commitment to stabilizing Chinatown and downtown, irrespective of the sports teams’ future.
Long-time Chinatown business owner Tony Cheng, whose restaurant has been open for nearly 50 years, emphasized the impact of crime on the Gallery Place area and expressed concerns about businesses closing amid the pandemic. Cheng hopes the sports franchises will reconsider staying in D.C., as their departure could adversely affect local businesses. The task force’s focus on redevelopment, economic opportunities, and public safety reflects the city’s commitment to the area’s growth and transformation.