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RICHMOND — Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) promised two Democrats who have agreed to carry legislation creating a professional basketball and hockey arena in Alexandria that he will support increased funding for the Metro transit system over the next two years, one of the two lawmakers said Friday.

“I don’t think we would have carried the bill without the governor’s commitment to solve the Metro funding problem,” Senate Majority Leader Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) said.

Surovell and House Appropriations Chairman Del. Luke E. Torian (D-Prince William) filed legislation Friday to enable the creation of a Virginia Sports and Entertainment Authority to oversee the $2 billion project. The two are among the most powerful members of the Democratic-controlled legislature. The Senate bill also features a Republican co-sponsor, Sen. Richard H. Stuart (King George).

Shortly after the bills appeared online, Youngkin’s office released a statement that made an unspecified commitment to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority: “There is a mutual commitment to collaborate together on a solution to WMATA’s short-term funding needs as part of this discussion to deliver a world-class transportation system.”

Lots of buzz, few details: Va. lawmakers in the dark on proposed arena

Youngkin also called the filing of the bills “an important next step in the process for this one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment district that will generate $12 billion of economic impact and create 30,000 jobs in Virginia. I am encouraged by the thoughtful and productive conversations I am having with legislators in the General Assembly.”

Many Democratic lawmakers have said a Virginia commitment for Metro funding is a prerequisite to even consider approving the deal with Monumental Sports and Entertainment to build an arena in Potomac Yard for the Wizards and Capitals, who currently play at Capital One Arena in D.C.

WMATA said in December that<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/12/12/metro-budget-service-cuts/" target=_blank> it faces a $750 million budget shortfall</a> and needs increased contributions from its regional members, which includes Maryland, the District and Virginia. Youngkin has said he recognizes the importance of Metro to the area’s transportation needs, but until Friday had suggested that he was unwilling to increase Virginia’s contributions until the Metro system fixes what he views as inefficient operations.

Plan to move Capitals, Wizards to Virginia draws transportation worries

Youngkin’s office did not comment to The Washington Post beyond the written statement; Surovell did not answer directly when asked if the governor committed to a specific amount.

“The governor and all of us recognize how critical Metro is not just to the Northern Virginia economy, but the economy of the entire state. And he’s committed to finding a solution that we all agree on, different from the one he proposed originally,” Surovell said. “He promised to work carefully with myself and chairman Torian to solve this problem this session, solve at least the next two years this session.”

In the two-year state spending plan he submitted last month, Youngkin proposed a Virginia contribution to WMATA of about $159 million for each of the next two years. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has recommended that Metro’s funding partners increase their contributions by more than $460 million to offset the budget woes.

The language in the arena bills introduced Friday does not mention Metro and is the same as language in Youngkin’s proposed budget: It creates the authority and gives it power to borrow money and use revenue from the project to pay off the bonds. Asked why there is need for both a bill and budget language, Torian simply said the governor had requested it.

While the financial details of the state’s commitment to the deal have been murky to most lawmakers, Torian said that filing the bill should accelerate conversations with the Youngkin administration about nailing down details.

Torian said that agreeing to carry the bill does not mean he is ready to support the project. “The residents in that Alexandria area have to be okay with it if it’s going to work,” he said.

Youngkin and Monumental chief executive Ted Leonsis unveiled a plan in December to bring the two professional teams across the Potomac to Virginia. The arena would stand at the center of a 12-acre mixed-use complex that also would include a concert hall, underground parking, a conference center, a Wizards practice facility, and Monumental’s corporate offices and media studio.

Under the plan, the legislature would create the authority to issue about $1.5 billion in bonds, relying on the state’s prized AAA credit rating to secure a below-market interest rate. The bonds would be paid back through a combination of tax receipts generated by the project, parking revenue, rent payments from Monumental and the proceeds from the eventual sale of naming rights for the sports and entertainment district, though not for the arena itself.

The project also calls for some $310 million worth of transportation and site infrastructure improvements to be paid for by the state and the city of Alexandria, though those components have yet to be negotiated. Alexandria will also contribute more than $100 million toward an arts venue and a parking garage.

Many in the Northern Virginia delegation say they need more details before making up their minds about the arena, and several Democrats expressed concern that the deal is being pushed through in a rush.

“I have more questions than answers still at this point, and it’s getting frustrating,” Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria) said. But virtually all are clear about Metro.

“WMATA needs to be funded irrespective of any other project,” said Sen. Danica A. Roem (D-Prince William), who serves on the Senate’s Transportation Committee. “The Northern Virginia economy crumbles without Metro. … I look it as the same way as U.S. House Republicans, ‘Well, we’re not going to give Ukraine funding unless you give border funding.’ ”

College of William & Mary, BA in English

Greg Schneider covers Virginia from the Richmond bureau. He was The Washington Post's business editor for more than seven years, and before that served stints as deputy business editor, national security editor and technology editor. He has also covered aviation security, the auto industry and the defense industry for The Post.

Gregory S. Schneider

George Polk Award in 2014 for political reporting for investigation of relationship between Virginia governor and wealthy supporter

Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., BA in English Literature

Laura Vozzella covers Virginia politics for The Washington Post. Before joining The Post, she was a political columnist and food writer at the Baltimore Sun, and she has also worked for the Associated Press, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Hartford Courant.

Laura Vozzella

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Youngkin signals support for Metro boost as Democrats file arena bills

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