Isbella Diaz
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Washington Wizards will get a new, state of the art practice facility and the Washington Mystics will get a new arena to play their games in.
It’s all part of a tentative deal between the District’s Mayor Muriel Bowser and the teams’ owner Ted Leonsis.
The new structures would be built on the campus of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Southeast D.C. It will be located near the Congress Heights Metro station along Alabama Avenue.
The new facility will have between 4,000 and 5,000 seating accommodations for athletic events, entertainments events and, of course, basketball games. The estimated cost is between $50-60 million.
Many of the details on the new facility are still being worked out between the District, Events DC and Monumental Sports and Entertainment. However, the District is expected to own the facility.
Monumental would most likely pay rent, as well as contribute $10 million to the surrounding community. These are known as some of the city’s poorest communities.
The deal was confirmed Monday. Mayor Bowser is expected to make an announcement on the new facility later this week.
Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: NBA/Washington Wizards)
