Why Youngkin plan to build $2 billion facility for Capitals and Wizards could end up underwater

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) and Virginia leaders are vying to build a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Alexandria, Virginia, but it could run into long-term environmental concerns.

Climate experts are saying the proposed arena could be in an area prone to flooding, according to a report from Axios. The location in Potomac Yard, near the Potomac River, has an increased flood risk from the current home of the Capitals and Wizards, Capital One Arena, in Washington’s Chinatown.

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“Moving it from D.C. which has relatively low flood risk to the Virginia side of the river, which has a ton of flood risk (and growing flood risk), is questionable from a climate sustainability perspective,” Jeremy Porter, head of climate change implications for First Street Foundation, told the outlet.

For the proposed area, which would include an arena, entertainment district, and housing, roughly 28% of residential properties, 48% of road surfaces, 63% of commercial properties, and 63% of social infrastructure are at risk for flooding, according to the report.

(Rendering courtesy of JBG SMITH)

The $2 billion Potomac Yard plan calls for a new arena, a 6,000-seat performing arts center, a practice facility for the Wizards, restaurants, hotels, and housing. The development would be located near the Potomac Yard metro station, which opened in May.

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The flood risk is one of several obstacles the plan, which was unveiled last week, still has to overcome to become a reality. The private-public partnership still needs approval from the Alexandria and Virginia governments, along with an expansion to the current Potomac Yard metro station to accommodate game day crowds.

Washington, D.C., officials are still trying to prevent the teams from moving across the Potomac River, offering $500 million in funds for renovations to the current home of the Wizards and Capitals.