MSG Looking To Open Major Entertainment Facility In DC

Madison Square Garden LP is "looking to open a major entertainment venue" in DC, according to Jonathan O'Connell of the WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL. DC Economic Partnership Exec Dir Steve Moore yesterday said that MSG earlier this summer "began contacting" Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development Valerie Santos and "major land owners." Moore: "They are shopping the District. ... They're very interested. It's a question of finding the right spot." Moore added that MSG has retained DC-area law firm Arent Fox to assist in the search. Sources said that MSG would open a venue of "6,000 seats or more, requiring up to 100,000 square feet near shopping and public transit." O'Connell noted MSG Entertainment in recent years has "added entertainment venues annually and begun venturing outside of its New York City stronghold." The company in '07 opened the 3,600-seat Chicago Theatre, and last year announced a partnership for programming at Boston's Wang Center (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/12).