RSS FeedVerizon Center Upgrade?
We want to point out the recent WaPo story about Abe Pollin’s request to the DC government to fund Verizon Center upgrades. Notable is the disparity in the ticket tax between Nationals tickets and Verizon Center tickets, 10 percent versus 5.75 percent, and perhaps Pollin saw an opportunity to equalize the tax collected between his venue’s events and Nationals’ events helping his own organization benefit from the extra margin. Pollin built the Verizon Center on his own dime in an unproven part of the city firmly cementing an economic anchor in our neigborhood that other development could rally around. This is in stark contrast to the very expensive tab the new baseball stadium is incurring against public coffers, a separate discussion in its own right. On a $50 ticket, another 4.25 percent is just over $2 which isn’t a huge amount. It was late 1994 when Pollin announced he would build the MCI [now Verizon] Center and three years later it was a reality. Pollin’s committment is not in question and we feel that Fenty and the city should give this request serious consideration.
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and i will say that to suggest the area was ecomomically unproven is a stretch. gallery place WAS our metro stop before the yellow was extended and the greenline was created. our post office was in the lobby of the monaco hotel. the developers were land banking. the buildings were demolished long before mr pollins lease at USAIR Arena expired.
I’m not sure I agree that the revitalization of Chinatown is owed to the MCI/Verizon Center. Lots of neighborhoods have revitalized over the last 10 years. Given how built out the West End/downtown has become it seems that the eastward revitalization would have occurred regardless.
Even if one accepts that it did produce the revitalization of the area, so what? Does every project that helps the city deserve public funds? Jim Abdo has done his share as well, should tens of millions of dollars be thrown his way?
Abe Pollin set out to make a buck and in the course of his self-interest did something positive for the city. Good for him. But that doesn’t mean he suddenly deserves $50 million.
And the fact that the baseball stadium is getting money is irrelevant. That was a dumb move. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Richard – I did imply economically unproven which is a stretch so I’ll grant you that. However, it was an unproven area in that there was no guarantee that all those vehicle wielding suburbanites (myself included) would feel compelled or safe enough to venture downtown to attend events that used to safely take place off the Beltway at the Cap Centre. As a DC native, I know I was apprehensive to come down here in 1997 & 1998.
Colin – I think the MCI Center pushed development over the tipping point here first (as opposed to Shaw or Mt. Vernon Triangle or some other area in DC). At this point, the baseball deal is not getting undone so shouldn’t there be equity among the ticket taxes charged for the sports teams in the area? I’m not suggesting that DC float bonds to pay Pollin to reach an agreement.
I’m with Colin, there is no where left to go west or north or south for that matter. The development of the city could and can only go east. Gallery Place would be just as hot without the Verizon Center.
Perhaps a little better without the Verizon Center, because the land space could serve for other purposes- more space for housing, retail, etc.
The Verizon Center is privately owned and should be privately maintained and funded. Tax dollars should never be spent to upgrade private property. The city already spent money to upgrade the utilities there and spends tons of money to police the events and block and close streets and such.
As far as comparing the Verizon Center to the baseball stadium- well that was then and this is now. Additionally the Verizon Center offers the assett of being within walking distance of downtown- something the baseball stadium does not. That will have major effects on its progression.
Pollin has made enout money back from the Verizon Center to pay for it and THEN some. Why should tax dollars go to him. If we are getting generous with the wallet could not the tax dollars go towards making the area safer? Providing space for the homeless people that are mentally ill in the area?
When it comes to spending tax dollars on Gallery Place I think there are MANY other priorities other than spending them on the Verizon Center!
Should some of these funds for the
Verizon Center be directed to VIDA so they can buy more gym equipment? Maybe McDonalds needs a few more seats?
Verizon Center- attracts people for concents, sporting events, etc. Most of ‘em come in and go back home. Some of them manage to stay and have a meal- even then they go back home usually to VA or MD and beyond. Gallery Place was nothing – until people wanted to LIVE here. And it is the people that wanted to LIVE here and make this place home that deserve a hand, a pat on the back. NOT Pollin!
listen all you brave anonymous posters…pick a battle you can win. it’s a done deal! LOL
haven’t you heard of corporate welfare?
I am not sure how I feel about the city kicking in funds for a Verizon Center upgrade. However, I hope people will keep the conversation respectful. Abe Pollin has been a big supporter of making this a livable neigborhood, too. He has taken some risks and earned his rewards, and he has been very generous in sharing the rewards in the community. Mr. Pollin does not look to take credit necessarily for being the sole reason why the neighborhood has been redeveloped; it has been a partnership between the District and Mr. Pollin. However, his investment in the arena was a major piece of the redevelopment plan, and he has provided us all with a good example of civic leadership. We should all try and work together to continue this success for everyone.
pgresident
mount vernon square and china town were a lot safer in 1997-1998 than the current GUNS GONE WILD CRAZE that is happening….
I say no to tax dollars funding the the upgrading of the rich folks box seats…..
Richard – I thought this was a place for expressing thoughts and ideas about our area and catching up on news? Who says this is a battle? As for the anon posting, it’s a valid option so why could or should it not be utilized?
Gallery Place was something before some of the people living there now wanted to live there, it was the original Chinatown complete with people living there.
The lousy baseball stadium deal set a lousy precedent–now every sports capitalist wants the same. Not that Pollin is one quite like the MLB but we are in the midst of a huge decision about the puvlic educational system. For someone who doesn’t need it to ask for money and the a councilmember draft a law that would give it to them and propose that at this time just isn’t thinking clearly.
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sure, it’s a no brainer. do it. i remember what a disgusting mess the verizon center was for years until john wilson and abe pollin decided to get something done. neighborhood buildings were demolished and existing cultural identity became a voids. vacant lots became parking lots for 15 years.