New Entertainment Zone Set To Open Outside Nationals Park
By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
DC-based Georgetown Events Friday will open The Bullpen, an entertainment zone located just beyond the centerfield gate of Nationals Park. The 15,000-square-foot temporary festival park -- located on land owned by DC real estate outfit Akridge that is slated for mixed-use development no sooner than '11 -- will contain a tented beer garden, food vendors, music stage, batting cages and a separate children’s activity area. The area is aimed in part at spurring activity around the ballpark before and after games, as well as both foot traffic and commercial development in the emerging area that has been slowed by the ongoing recession. “We’re sort of doing this by the seat of our pants, but there isn’t anything going on around here. We’re trying to spur some life and vibrancy, and create something,” said Bo Blair, Georgetown Events President. “Every other ballpark in the league has bars, restaurants, things to do in immediate proximity to them.” The area required more than $100,000 to launch, and Blair said the economic model will in part require booking private events for non-Nationals game days. Under Armour and Bud Light have signed on as sponsors. The Nationals are not involved in The Bullpen, and club execs declined to comment on the opening. Plans for the effort have been in the works for months, and an opening to coincide with the beginning of the season had initially been attempted. But the delay is owed in part to Georgetown Events securing the various necessary local permits to open the space and serve alcohol.
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