Phase One is underway in the nation’s capital.Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards and Capitals, is currently closed because of its first phase of the arena’s massive $800 million remodel.X/@DARRENROVELLThis is a photo of what the arena will look like upon completion[/caption]Funded partially by D.C. taxpayers as part of the deal to keep the Caps and Wizards in the District, the arena will receive a massive facelift in three separate phases. Renovations are expected to be done by the 2027-28 season.Ted Leonsis, the CEO and founder of Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the project together last October as a joint venture.MSE owns the Wizards and Capitals along with the Washington Mystics.“The delivery of a brand-new arena marks the next significant investment Monumental Sports is making in the revitalization of Downtown D.C., and we will build a best-in-class experience for fans, a world-class destination facility for athletes and continue to serve as a downtown anchor for economic vitality,” Leonsis shared in a statement.“Our vision for a wholly re-imagined sports and entertainment destination will be ambitious, reflective of our community, and designed to ‘wow’ our most ardent supporters as well as casual fans.“We want to capture the magic that comes from providing the most entertaining experience – which every guest deserves.”Mayor Bowser echoed Leonsis’ sentiment. “We’re keeping Washington’s teams where they belong – here in the Sports Capital, and we’re doubling down on having a world-class destination and entertainment district in the center of DC,” Bowser said.“We know that when our Downtown does well, our city does well. This catalytic investment is an investment in our residents and businesses in all eight wards.”The new renovations are set to include new team locker rooms, new luxury suites, a new main entrance closer to the Metro, making it easier to enter and exit the arena, wider concourses, and a brand new exterior The arena is set to expand from 900,000 square feet to 1.6 million.Wizards games won’t be the same once the arena’s upgrades are completeGettyThe Caps, unlike the Wizards, have enjoyed great success in the last decadeGetty“We’ll be able to get people in in a more efficient, quick manner, and really get them into their seats and on the concourse and enjoying the event sooner than having to wait here on the street,” said Jordan Silberman, president of venues for Monumental Sports and Entertainment.“We are doubling the amount of vertical transportation that we have in the building, going from 11 to 22 with escalators and elevators,” said Jim Van Stone, president of business operations for Monumental.“We’re increasing the amount of concessions in the overall complex by nearly 60% and the restrooms by 30%.“I think the thing I am most excited about is what we’re going to do in the upper level, a brand new F Street from basically 6th to 7th Street [with a] food court up there.We’ve got new social decks that are coming for the upper-level fans.”The arena is currently closed off as phase one continues, and the plan will be to open the building back up in late September, ahead of the NBA and NHL season.Then rinse and repeat, as the arena will close again over the next two summers to complete the massive project. The citizens of D.C. should be thrilled about the ongoing renovations, but more importantly should be thrilled that their beloved teams aren’t going anywhere. NBA's GreatestGreatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor WembanyamaBest players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurusMichael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totalsOf course, fans of the local teams, specifically fans of the Wizards, would probably like to see a little more winning.The Capitals have been extremely competitive over the last decade-plus, culminating in the franchise’s first and only Stanley Cup during the 2017-18 season.Meanwhile, the Wizards have consistently been one of the worst teams in the entire Association since last making the playoffs in 2021.Since then, they have won 35, 35, 15 and 18 games over the last four seasons. That averages out to a 26-56 record. Not what D.C. fans want to see.Despite the laughable losing record over the last half-decade, all systems are a go to usher in a new era of D.C. sports, one that will be centered around the Capital One Arena and its $800 million facelift.