By admin 
Bethesda, Maryland-based Clark Construction Group has won a contract from Monumental Sports & Entertainment to upgrade Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., per a Monday news release.
The announcement came a week after the arena’s owners announced a public-private partnership with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser. MSE and Bowser first signed a tentative agreement in March, and the D.C. Council voted in April to invest $515 million over the next three years to support the project, which will cost $800 million total. Clark’s contract price was not disclosed.
The agreement includes the sale of the arena to D.C. for $87.5 million, and the city will subsequently lease it back through 2050, per proposed legislation.
The council’s vote for final approval is expected later this fall.
Clark served as general contractor on Capital One Arena when it was originally built. The venue opened in 1997.
The enhancements to the home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards and the Georgetown University’s men’s basketball team are designed to upgrade and modernize the venue, the release said. Construction work will include an expanded main entrance at F Street, wider concourses, more elevators, a 65% increase in concession space and a 30% increase in restrooms.
Athlete spaces will grow by over 60% including new training rooms, a player’s lounge, dining space and a family lounge. The Capitals will get a new film room in their locker room and the Wizards will receive a redesigned, on-site training facility, currently not possible due to available space.
Crews will also add over 200,000 square feet on the event level to provide hospitality staff with a larger workspace.
The project will be designed by San Francisco-based Gensler, which also designed the upcoming renovations to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, about 40 miles from Capital One Arena.