Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/704649
I N T H E N E W S Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, announced recently the selection of a joint venture of architectural firms, Washington, DC-based Marshall Moya Design and internationally iconic, ROSSETTI, to begin developing designs for the future state-of-the-art Entertainment and Sports Arena in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. In addi- tion, Events DC has also named Washington, DC-headquartered, Brailsford & Dunlavey in collaboration with ADC Solutions and Kumi Construction Management as program management lead for the trans- formative arena project. Operated by Events DC, the approximately 5,000-seat venue will bring world-class entertainment and sports programming – while driving urban regeneration to the communi- ties east of the Anacostia River. "Events DC is energized about our partnership with Washington, DC local and internationally-recognized firms – including, Marshall Moya Design and ROSSETTI for design and Brailsford & Dunlavey with ADC Solutions and Kumi Construction Management for pro- gram management collaboration of the Entertainment and Sports Arena," said Gregory A. O'Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. "Bringing together their respective expertise, experience and assets and with our city partners, we are committed to creating an arena that offers Washington, DC residents and visitors a premier live entertainment and sports destination." Acting as an economic catalyst, Events DC plans to utilize the best and brightest while supporting local businesses and has established a 50% Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) set-aside for both architecture, engineering and program management contracts related to the arena project. Events DC has also mandated that 35% of the work performed on each of these contracts will be performed by Small Business Enterprises. O'Dell further explained, "As the official convention and sports authority for the District, Events DC remains committed to enrich- ing and activating all corners of the city with not only unforgettable experiences but also acting as an economic catalyst for the city. In addition to focusing on hiring CBEs in the coming months, we also plan to create employment opportunities for District residents." For the arena project, ROSSETTI and Marshall Moya Design have joined forces as The Washington Arena Design Partners JV to act as the architect of record and designer. The creative collaboration of both local and national perspectives and expertise will ultimately result in a broader range of innovative and imaginative thinking about integrating the new Entertainment and Sports Arena into the communities east of the Anacostia River. Marshall Moya Design is a Washington, DC-based, multi- faceted architecture and design studio producing award-winning projects in the commercial, institutional, civic and cultural arenas. ROSSETTI, which ha s a worldwide practice that specializes in sports arena and entertainment center design – is most notable for the LA Lakers Headquarters and Practice Facility, the renovation and rebranding of the Cleveland Cavaliers Practice Facility and the renovation of the iconic TD Garden. Washington, DC-headquar- tered Brailsford & Dunlavey in local collaboration with ADC Solutions and Kumi Construction Managemen t will focus exclu- sively on the planning and project management of the arena project – which will include compliance with goals, timelines and budgets set-forth. Notable DC projects include parks and recreation center renovations with the District of Columbia's Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of General Services' public schools modernization and Howard University's Interdisciplinary Research Building. Past and current Events DC projects include Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States and the current RFK Stadium-Armory Campus redevelopment project. The project will become the future practice facility for the Washington Wizards, home court of the Washington Mystics and a premier entertainment venue in the District. The arena is expected to attract more than 380,000 annual new residents and visitors per year to Congress Heights and produce more than 600 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs for the arena. Construction is sched- uled to begin in late 2016 with completion in fall of 2018. B M & T ••• March/April 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10 EVENTS DC ANNOUNCES ARCHITECT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR FUTURE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS ARENA IN CONGRESS HEIGHTSNEIGHBORHOOD, WASHINGTON, DC DC-Based and World-Renowned Partners Will Collaborate to Develop New State-of-the Art Arena in Communities East of the Anacostia