Excitement, Concern from Residents on $55M Wizards Facility
Officials invited residents in the area of the planned $55M Wizards practice and entertainment facility to weigh in. The response: a mix of excitement and concern.
More than 100 people attended the meeting on the east campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital, the future site of the facility in Southeast DC. Residents expressed excitement over the city's investment, but are concerned about the project’s effects on housing prices and whether promised jobs and training would materialize, the Washington Post reports.
The Bowser administration reached a tentative deal with Wizards owner Ted Leonsis last month for the new venue. The 5,000-seat facility would be built with $50M in taxpayer funds from Events DC and the District. In addition to Wizards practices, the facility would host Mystics home games, concerts and potentially a future NBA D-League team. [WaPo]
