Not with a bang, but a whimper
This story has been updated since publication. Despite lofty promises from Democrats and Republicans, divided government in Richmond meant few wins or losses for either party during the 2024 General Assembly session — and few sweeping changes for Virginia in the year ahead. “The only thing that the legislature really did is the one thing […]
Virginia’s fundamentals remain strong after unsuccessful arena competition
As Virginia celebrates Economic Development Week, there is no better time to recognize that when it comes to success in economic development, fundamentals matter most. Incentives, public sector support, personal connections and various intangibles — like, say, letting a CEO pick his favorite Grateful Dead concert to play during a recruitment dinner — can undoubtedly […]
Youngkin vetoes cannabis, minimum wage legislation
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation Thursday that would have put Virginia on the path to a $15 per hour minimum wage and set up a retail cannabis market, killing bills that were important to Democratic state legislators he blamed for torpedoing the $2 billion Alexandria sports arena deal he’d championed. Amid a deepening partisan […]
Youngkin: Va. Senate making ‘colossal mistake’ in rejecting arena
After news broke Wednesday that Virginia lawmakers had dropped all mention of the proposed Alexandria sports arena authority in their amended 2024-26 state budget, Gov. Glenn Youngkin responded Thursday by blasting the Democratic-controlled Virginia State Senate’s leadership, which has killed every opportunity for a floor vote on the arena legislation. “I believe the Senate is [&hellip[...]
GMU report: Arena project would produce 5,400+ affordable housing units
Updated Feb. 22, 2024 A study conducted by George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis found that the proposed $2 billion Alexandria sports arena and entertainment district supported by Gov. Glenn Youngkin would create more than 5,400 workforce-affordable housing units, far exceeding the city’s goals. The report released this week was requested by JBG Smith […]
Wizards, Capitals plan Alexandria move in $2B deal
The Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards are planning a move to a new home in Alexandria in a $2 billion deal that would see the professional sports franchises exit Washington, D.C., by 2028, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Dec. 13, 2023. The nonbinding agreement to build a new arena for the Capitals and Wizards is […]
Wizards, Capitals plan move to Alexandria in $2B deal
The Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards are planning a move across the Potomac River to a new home in Alexandria in a $2 billion deal that would see the professional sports franchises exit Washington, D.C., by 2028, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced early Wednesday. The nonbinding agreement to build a new arena for the Capitals […]
Henrico County, Markel|Eagle acquire land for GreenCity
Henrico County and an affiliate of Markel|Eagle Partners LLC came to an agreement Thursday to purchase the 110-acre Scott Farm property, which will be a key part of the $2.3 billion mixed-use GreenCity development, for $35.1 million. First proposed in December 2020, GreenCity plans to include what is billed as the nation’s greenest arena, with […]
Wheels rolling on Henrico arena
Plans for a 17,000-seat arena in Henrico County are rolling forward, now with an international operator, ASM Global, on board. The centerpiece of the $2.3 billion GreenCity development, the venue is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026. Although the project’s design is being finalized, developers say it will be the nation’s […]
ASM Global to develop, run GreenCity arena in Henrico
ASM Global will develop and operate the 17,000-seat arena at Henrico County’s $2.3 billion GreenCity development, county officials announced Monday. Billed as what will be the nation’s greenest arena with net-zero energy impact, the venue is set to be part of a multiuse community with a focus on environmental sustainability at the intersection of Interstates […]
GreenCity arena hopes to draw sports, music acts
When developers unsuccessfully pitched Navy Hill, a $1.5 billion mixed-use project and arena that sought to reinvent Richmond’s downtown, they posed a question: If a major draw like Beyoncé came to town, where would she perform? Now those same developers are aiming to host artists like Justin Timberlake, Green Day and John Legend at GreenCity, […]
Military Circle redevelopment could include arena
Four groups — including mid-Atlantic developers, entertainment and sports figures, concert promoters and arena operators — are competing for a chance to redevelop Norfolk’s aging Military Circle Mall into a mixed-use community. Overhauling the struggling mall has long been on the city’s to-do list, but the project was jump-started last year when the Norfolk Economic […]