When what was known as the MCI Center was completed in 1997, some members of the public were upset with the placement of the arena. They felt the building disrupted the historic layout of the city streets because the Center closed off a block of G Street. However, the facility gained acceptance as it helped revitalize the "Gallery Place/Chinatown" neighborhood into one of the prime sites for commercial development in Washington D.C.
Year Opened: 1997
Capacity: 20,674
Architect: KCF-SHG, Ellerbe Becket
Web Site: verizoncenter.com
Phone: 202/628-3200
Anchor Tenants: Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA)
Parking: There are approximately 10,000 parking spaces available in area parking lots and garages within 10 blocks of MCI Center.
Directions: 601 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. From Airports; Ronald Reagan National Airport: Take the George Washington Memorial PKWY north. Take the I-395 North exit towards Washington. As the road splits, bare left onto US-1 and follow to 14th Street Bridge. Cross over the 14th street bridge and stay on 14th Street NW. Make a right turn onto Constitution Ave. Turn left onto 7th Street and Verizon Center will be on the corner of F and 7th Streets. Washington Dulles International Airport: Turn onto the Dulles Access Road. Dulles Access Road turns into I-66 East. Continue onto US-50 East/I-66 East. Take the US-50 East/Constitution Ave. exit. Stay straight to go onto Constitution Ave. NW. Turn left onto 7th Street and Verizon Center will be on the corner of F and 7th Streets. Baltimore-Washington International Airport: Follow Airport exit. Turn slight left onto I-195 West. Take the MD-295 South (Balt/ Wash Pkwy) ramp towards Washington. Merge onto 295 South towards Washington. Merge onto US-50 West. Continue on 50 West as it turns into New York Avenue. Turn left on 7th Street and Verizon Center will be on the corner of F and 7th Streets. Note: From all points in all directions, follow signs to downtown Washington. When in the downtown area, follow signs to Verizon Center.
History
When what was known as the MCI Center was completed in 1997, some members of the public were upset with the placement of the arena. They felt the building disrupted the historic layout of the city streets because the Center closed off a block of G Street.
However, the facility gained acceptance as it helped revitalize the "Gallery Place/Chinatown" neighborhood into one of the prime sites for commercial development in Washington, D.C.
Verizon Center is home to the Washington Wizards (NBA), the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Mystics (WNBA), and the Georgetown Hoyas.
