Discussion time! Thoughts and opinions!
We live in Maryland, and I’m glad our tax dollars aren’t involved in either deal. What bothers me more is just the waste of it. What’s wrong with Capital One? Other than those railings in some sections that prompt the occupants of those seats to lean forward and block the view of the people behind them. But that could be fixed with glass partitions.
I haven’t been to many other NHL arenas to compare, but we did visit the Canes last year, and I don’t recall any “Oh, I wish Capital One had that!” moments about the structure. Except maybe the nearby campground, but that’s not happening in DC or Alexandria (nor would we really need it for the local team).
Driving: For us, driving to Potomac Yards is roughly the same as driving the Capital One on paper, but I suspect the reality will be somewhat different. If there’s an issue on the bridge, theoretically we can drive through DC, but I already know that the freeway is usually backed up there during rush hour - we’re usually getting off on 395 north right where the backup begins. Getting to Capital One has more options if there’s a crash somewhere on the route.
Parking: I’m sure Leonsis feels he’s missing out on a lot of parking fees that currently go to other garage operators, so now the cost of parking will go to him, and it’ll be your only option, aside from Metro. I wonder how the merchants at Potomac Yard will deal with people parking there to go to events - maybe validated parking.
Getting there by Metro: Yellow line only! Unless they also run those special blue trains that they used to run to Franconia-Springfield after events (I don’t know if they still do that). Gallery Place-Chinatown is on three lines with a LOT more access. Nats park is only on green, but it’s also closer to L’Enfant for transfers. I’m curious how that will play out. Maybe they’ll run more trains from Potomac Yards to L’Enfant and Gallery Place after events.
Eating options: I know Chinatown’s food options have really suffered in recent years, even before the pandemic. But there are still a ton of options in the area.
But at the new place…what options will there be if I don’t want to have to park twice? Last I knew, there weren’t many restaurants in that Potomac Yards shopping center.
I think overall we’re not looking forward to this change, if it does happen. I know it’s a long way off - the 2028 season is what it sounded like - but neither of us are excited about it. We’ll see what happens.
Checking in from VA. I haven’t given much thought to it other than that I hope they stay in DC. If they move, I suppose I might be more likely to hop on the blue line at Franconia-Springfield. That said, attending Caps games in person would lose some of its luster as part of the draw, for me anyway, is rolling up to games early and wandering around Chinatown.
ETA I had to look up where Potomac Yard actually is (here’s an article about it).