The Washington Mystics WNBA franchise will have a new home later this year as construction of a 4,200-seat arena is well underway.
Washington, D.C.’s Congress Heights neighborhood will soon be the new home base of the city’s WNBA team the Washington Mystics, as well as the Washington Wizards' new G League affiliate, the Capital City Go Go. Construction of the steel structure was completed in January, and now crews are working to complete the weatherproofing stages by late March. Once finished, the arena is expected to have nearly 400,000 attendees yearly, as well as a $90 million economic impact over the next two decades. Approximately 900 jobs will be created, and the Congress Heights neighborhood will benefit by the added summer youth programs and a local event and entertainment center. [caption id="attachment_7091" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
Courtesy of ESA on the Rise[/caption]
Washington D.C.’s official convention and sports authority, Events D.C., is overseeing the project. The organization also helps to run the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and the Carnegie Library as well as RFK stadium, DC Armory, and Nationals Park. Events D.C. is also involved in efforts to bring the 2026 World Cup to FedEx field in Landover. The District of Columbia will own and operate the facility once it opens on the east end of the former St. Elizabeth’s hospital campus.
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Courtesy of ESA on the Rise[/caption]
On the exterior of the arena, retail bays for restaurants and retailers are planned and will be open for shoppers even when no events are taking place inside. The interior of the arena and practice facility will, like most NBA and WNBA facilities, house advanced training equipment, luxury accommodations, medical centers, and team offices.
With 118,000 square feet and 4,200 seats, the new arena will also be the Washington Wizards’ official practice facility. Construction is expected to be complete on August 27 of this year, after which the three basketball franchises will begin using the facility.
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