🤔 How Monumental Sports will change Chinatown

What's CITY Talking About?

Chinatown Could Become ‘Arena District’

Caps and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis laid out his vision for the new “arena district” in Chinatown after announcing the teams would stay in D.C. His plan would cost up to $800 million and would include arena upgrades, expanded retail and concessions, and better pedestrian and car traffic flows to make the neighborhood more walkable.. [Washington Business Journal]

• Leonsis and Mayor Bowser agreed this week on a $515 million deal to keep Monumental Sports in D.C. until 2050. [City Cast DC 🎧]

Youngkin Vetoes Assault Rifle Reforms

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a handful of gun control bills, including a ban on assault rifles. He did, however, sign two “common sense” gun control reforms into law. This is the first time gun control legislation has come across Youngkin’s desk since Democrats took a majority of the Virginia House and Senate earlier this year. [Washington Post 🔒]

Arlington Wins Green Grant

The federal government has awarded Arlington County $300,000 to clean up Chesapeake Bay. The funding will be used to build rain gardens, support tree planting, and promote community outreach and education. [ARLNow]

What To Do

DC Insider Trivia

Let’s Start With Last Week’s Question:

How many Yoshino cherry trees are on the National Mall?

1. 500
2. 1,700 ⭐
3. 2,500
4. 3,700

There are a little over 1,700 Yoshino cherry trees on the National Mall, the majority of which are places around the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument. Yoshino cherries have many single white blossoms that create the look of clouds floating around the basin. In Japan this effect is known as Somei-yoshino.

A few Akebono cherry trees are intermixed with the Yoshinos. These have single, pale‑pink blossoms that give the Tidal Basin that pink tint during the early stages of peak bloom.

🏆 Congratulations to Hey DC readers Pepita D., Katlyn H., and Susan B. for being the first three to guess the correct number.

Now Onto This Week’s Question:

What unassuming D.C. bar was once the first Toys R Us ever?

1. Madam’s Organ
2. Players Club
3. Dew Drop Inn
4. The Fox and Hounds

Today on City Cast

Caps and Wiz Stay in DC, New Rosslyn Food Hall, and Nats Park Upgrades

In a dramatic turn of events, Monumental Sports owner Ted Leonsis announced that the Capitals and Wizards will be staying in D.C. after all. Plus, there’s yet another new food hall in the DMV and Nats Park has undergone some futuristic upgrades just in time for the new season. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil and Anna Spiegel join the team to break it all down.