Events DC partnered with Monumental Sports & Entertainment to implement the first major piece of redevelopment of St. Elizabeths East, a neglected 193-acre campus in Ward 8. The Entertainment & Sports Arena acts as an important catalyst for revitalizing the neighborhood.

As a longstanding partner of Events DC, the public entertainment & sports commission for the District of Columbia, B&D delivered advisory and program management services for the ESA, coordinating design and construction and navigating a successful implementation process.

The multi-purpose arena opened on-time and on-budget in 2018. It provides practice facility space for the NBA Washington Wizards, a permanent home for the WNBA Washington Mystics and the NBA G-League Capital Go-Go, as well as a 4,200-capacity concert venue. Other planned events include video game tournaments and boxing matches.

District leaders hope that the ESA is just the first step in transforming the St. Elizabeths East campus, with future development plans including retail and office space and affordable housing units. All the development activity will support the neighborhood in terms of both community gathering and job creation.

Awards:

• Washington Business Journal Game-Changer Award
• DCBIA Community Impact Award