Alexandria's Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber ALX) is throwing their weight behind the proposed arena in Potomac Yard.
In a statement released earlier this week, the Alexandria Chamber stated that the proposed project is "a once in a generation opportunity that Alexandria should not let pass us by. We call on the General Assembly to approve the adoption of a Sports and Entertainment Authority, with reasonable legislative oversight, so that Alexandria can get to work on investing in the future of our city.”
With significant local and regional support, however, the plan to build a big arena and entertainment district in Potomac Yard still faces an uphill battle in Richmond.
The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate must pass a bill creating an arena authority and related financing structure for the project to move forward. However, Virginia government officials representing southwest and southeast Virginia are skeptical. In addition, members of local groups like Stop the Arena are making trips to Richmond to lobby against the plan.
Earlier this week, the office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin sent an editorial composed by Roanoke Valley business leaders listing the ways the arena in Alexandria would benefit southwest Virginia. Among them: "A rising tide lifts all boats."
"Why should we care about revenue generated from a project far away from us? Because we all do better when Virginia’s economy is strong, and opportunities such as this to strengthen our entire economy in such a substantial way are rare. Put simply, the revenue generated upstate will flow downstate and provide critical resources for projects in our community," they wrote.
The final votes on a potential combined bill by the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates is not yet scheduled, but adjournment for this session is schedule for March 9.
