Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard

****Dear Supporters,

We have suspended all fundraising efforts because of the decision by Monumental Sports to remain in the District of Columbia. We will let you know when we plan to hold an event to thank everyone for their support. We will post it here, on FB and our web page,

Thank you again,

Andrew

Dear Friends & Neighbors:

Help us raise funds to stop the arena project. Ted Leonsis wants to move the Wizards and Caps from their longtime home in D.C. to Alexandria's Potomac Yard using our tax dollars.

The decision by Mayor Justin Wilson and City of Alexandria officials to support a plan to build a sports area in Potomac Yard for Ted Leonsis, owner of Monumental Sports, should outrage us all. Taxpayers should not subsidize a project for a billionaire sports team owner just so he can move his teams across the Potomac to Alexandria.

The idea of putting a sports and entertainment complex at Potomac Yard is a terrible one for a number of reasons:

Traffic problems -The roads, in particular Route 1, can’t handle the additional traffic. As we all know, drivers don’t just stick to main roads but cut through neighborhoods.

Environmental impacts - Climate change poses an increasing risk of flooding and closure of roads like the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Moreover, the greenhouse gas footprint of the buildings would be large compared to redoing the current venue in DC.

Quality of life impacts - to residential neighborhoods both in Potomac Yard and Del Ray but also to other neighborhoods. There will be increased noise and light pollution, and increased burden on the police and fire departments, to name a few of the potential negative impacts on the community.

Unproven Economic benefits - There is NO evidence that such projects generate the economic revenue and benefits touted by Mayor Wilson, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), and other supporters of this development.

High Credit risks - Taxpayers in Alexandria and elsewhere in Virginia will be responsible for paying off the debt when this project fails to generate enough revenue to cover the revenue bonds.

Other costs - Alexandria alone will be committing more than a $100 million to the project, limiting its ability to invest in other capital improvement projects.

Inadequate metro service - Potomac Yard is the only stop for the proposed arena site. There are multiple metro stations and garages near Capital One Arena in D.C.

The money that would be going to finance this project can be used in better ways! Potomac Yard does not need a sports and entertainment complex to thrive!

The Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard is raising funds to stop this project. We need your support to purchase signs and send out flyers and organize events, etc. We are a 501(c)(4)organization composed of volunteers who live in Potomac Yard, Del Ray and Old Town.

We will provide up to date information about how the funds are being used.

Help keep the Wizards and Caps in D.C.!

Eric Weiner

Andrew Macdonald

Adrien Lopez

Dan Heng

Shannon Curtis

Members, Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard

The Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard formed in response to the alarming rush by elected officials to greenlight a staggering $2.2 billion sports and entertainment complex that lacks popular support in the community. The Coalition is a registered 501 C(4) organization. Learn more at Stop the Arena, Facebook, Instagram , Twitter