{"id":853,"date":"2024-11-26T20:30:36","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T20:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dc4reality.org\/updates\/?p=853"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:08:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:08:49","slug":"district-links-council-gives-initial-ok-to-capital-one-arena-deal-education-officials-report-1-1-enrollment-rise-in-dcs-public-schools-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.dc4reality.org\/updates\/853","title":{"rendered":"District Links: Council gives initial OK to Capital One Arena deal; education officials report 1.1% enrollment rise in DC’s public schools; and more"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The comprehensive DC politics roundup \u2014 Nov. 26, 2024<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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By Chris Kain<\/b>
Reply with tips, links, events, things or send them to news@thedcline.org<\/a><\/a> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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DC Council gives initial OK to Capital One Arena deal<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\n The DC Council today advanced legislation<\/a> to authorize the District's $87.5 million purchase of Capital One Arena and finalize a redevelopment agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment little more than five weeks after the legislation's formal submission by Mayor Muriel Bowser<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Councilmembers briefly discussed the bill during a Committee of the Whole meeting prior to a unanimous vote in support of the measure. They later approved the bill as part of the consent agenda at the start of today's legislative meeting<\/a>, with the required second vote expected at one of the council's December meetings in order to finalize approval before the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Council Chair Phil Mendelson<\/b> and other legislators didn't highlight any changes from the introduced version aside from an increase in the required threshold for contracting with certified business enterprises \u2014 now 40%, up from 35% in the agreement originally negotiated by the Bowser administration and Monumental. At-large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie<\/b>, chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development,\u00a0had pressed the issue, seeking a stronger provision notwithstanding Monumental's stated goal of 50% participation.<\/p>\n

In their comments, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto<\/b> and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen<\/b> spoke enthusiastically about the agreement underlying the bill, which ensures the Washington Capitals and Wizards will remain at Gallery Place through at least 2050. The bill also authorizes use of $87.5 million in capital funds to purchase the arena \u2014 part of the $515 million of spending authorized in the fiscal year 2025 budget and financial plan, approved earlier this year. Monumental has committed to invest at least $285 million toward the renovations, including covering any cost overruns.<\/p>\n

“I think this is a project that we should all be proud of,” Pinto said, citing the importance of ensuring that the arena is a “true anchor” of a vibrant downtown.<\/p>\n

“I am very glad we are here today. We should have been here sooner,” Allen said, noting that it was about a year ago that team owner Ted Leonsis<\/b> announced plans to move the teams to a state-of-the-art arena in Alexandria's Potomac Yard. After that deal fell apart, the District was able to negotiate a deal for the teams to stay in large part by committing capital funding toward the facility's renovation and expansion.<\/p>\n

Allen reiterated his past criticism of DC officials for not doing more to keep the team prior to the emergence of the Virginia deal, noting that the Gallery Place arena creates year-round activity and therefore merits city investment. He and McDuffie both stressed the importance of finding ways to assist nearby businesses during three years of summertime construction at the arena, when its usual slate of events won't be taking place.<\/p>\n

Under the timetable announced<\/a> in October, which envisioned approval by the DC Council by the end of 2024, Monumental will begin design work this winter and construction in early summer 2025. Mendelson had vowed swift consideration of the bill but has stressed that it has proceeded not as emergency legislation but under regular procedures, including a public hearing held in mid-November.<\/p>\n

This afternoon, Leonsis expressed his appreciation for the council's vote on social media.<\/p>\n

“We are grateful to the D.C. Council for their support of our plan to deliver a best-in-class destination for fans, athletes, employees, and our community at a brand-new Capital One Arena,” he tweeted<\/a>. “We look forward to the final Council vote and thank\u00a0@ChmnMendelson\u00a0and\u00a0<\/a> @MayorBowser\u00a0for their leadership. We share in their vision and commitment to a revitalized downtown and sustained, long-term prosperity which reaches across each of The District\u2019s eight wards.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Background:<\/b> 'Capital One Arena plans to be voted on by DC Council' ' [WTOP<\/a>]; 'DC residents, businesses sound off on proposed Capital One Arena deal' [WTOP<\/a>] <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n DC officials today announced<\/a> a third consecutive year of increased enrollment in public schools across the District \u2014 with 99,770 students in the 2024-25 school year according to preliminary data, a 1.1% increase from the prior year.\u00a0<\/b>The preliminary numbers for the current school year show 52,036 students at DCPS and 47,564 students in public charter schools.\u00a0These are the highest annual enrollment totals for DC Public Schools and public charter schools since the Office of the State Superintendent of Education began compiling enrollment data in 2007. Over the past decade, overall enrollment has increased by 14.2%, according to OSSE. Officials say they hope to continue the momentum. “Our city has made historic investments in education, because when we invest in our students, we invest in the future of the District,” Mayor Muriel Bowser<\/b> said. In announcing the enrollment numbers, OSSE highlighted the two EdFEST events<\/a> planned for Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, where families can meet representatives from schools participating in the My School DC lottery. Admission is free, but registration is required.<\/p>\n