Front Page > World > Article Title/Fixture Title

Front Page > Metro

Email | Print | Subscribe

Click-2-Listen

advertisement

Change on the Verizon

By Tim Lemke
October 29, 2007

At the corner of Sixth and H Streets Northwest, Lan Hang prepared fresh noodles from scratch in the window of local restaurant, Chinatown Express.

---

In March, representatives of Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin went before the D.C. Council with a brave request: Less than a month after the council agreed to spend $611 million for a new ballpark for the Washington Nationals, Mr. Pollin asked the council for $50 million to help upgrade Verizon Center, his downtown arena that was less than a decade old.

Given the rancor over funding the ballpark, it would seem that no one would be in the mood to commit more city money to a sports facility. But a funny thing happened: The council approved the request by a vote of 9-4, with several council members paying Mr. Pollin compliments along the way.

To many city leaders, the $50 million was a nod of appreciation for a man whose decision to build — and privately finance — an arena in the city's downtown core has paid dividends the District is still collecting.

As Verizon Center begins its 10th year as home of three professional sports teams, city and business leaders are quick to credit the arena for sparking a remarkable revitalization of the District's downtown corridor.

The neighborhood around what now is Verizon Center was largely vacant a decade ago. The businesses that did operate there brought little in the way of life, let alone revenue, to the city. But in the decade since the arena opened, developers have invested more than $5 billion in the area. Nearly 10 million square feet of office space has appeared, along with scores of new restaurants, theaters and museums.

"I knew it would be a catalyst, but I had no idea what a fantastic thing the arena would be for the city," Mr. Pollin said. "I had no idea it would be a catalyst to actually turn the city around."

And as the city completes work on the Nationals' new ballpark in Southeast, Verizon Center is looked upon as a model for how sports facilities can be used to save other ailing parts of the city.

"Abe Pollin's courage and stubbornness to build that arena helped to single-handedly save downtown D.C.," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said. "I do believe this 10th anniversary is the celebration of Pollin's vision and bravery. We have one of the best buildings situated in absolutely the right place, and it has all the things to make for a world-class experience."

Click-2-Listen

Front Page > Metro