Monumental Sports & Entertainment remains optimistic about plans for a new arena in Alexandria, Virginia, despite the uncertainty.
Just three weeks ago, the deal effectively had three tracks; As of Thursday night, the number was down to just one.
However, Monumental's Monica Dixon said company leaders are feeling positive.
“We were really encouraged by what happened yesterday. The vote was very strong. It was bipartisan,” she said in an interview on Friday.
She pointed to an 81-18 vote in favor of the House of Delegates' version of the state budget bill that includes the stadium deal.
The Senate passed its own version of the budget Thursday, without any language on the arena plans.
A small number of senators and delegates will meet in what is called a conference committee to discuss the differences between the two budgets.
Currently, the stadium deal has a re-enactment provision, meaning that even if it passes and is signed by the governor, the General Assembly would have to give it an additional vote of approval after a full calendar year. That could impact the construction timeline, Dixon said.
“We're hoping that won't happen. We're hoping to get this worked out at the conference, and we think we'll be able to move forward this summer and really start making plans for what it's going to look like and when it's going to be built,” he said.
Dixon said there is no immediate plan to establish a sportsbook in Alexandria near the planned stadium. Further talks may follow approval of the project.
The Virginia General Assembly typically drafts its final budget proposal in the final seconds of the session, which is scheduled to adjourn March 9.
