♪ ♪ NARRATOR: When the Shakespeare Theater Company moved from Capitol Hill to the abandoned Lansburgh's Department Store in 1992, it seeded downtown's revitalization.

But by mid-decade, much of Washington's downtown remained empty.

SETH: It was still a wild west down there in the old days, people offering to watch your car for a nominal fee.

Help you park, even though you knew how to park perfectly well.

TED: There was certainly nothing to do, to eat before or afterwards.

I mean, it's amazing when you explain that to somebody today.

NARRATOR: In 1995, the city broke ground on the MCI Center.

ANTHONY: A lot of that happening was Marion Barry.

Most developers would tell you this about Marion Barry, when he put his mind on something, it would happen.

CORA: Marion Barry knew how to do business.

If you stop and you look at the MCI Arena, or you go to the waterfront in Georgetown, "Oh, that's Marion Barry."

He was able to work with developers.

TOM: That was the appeal of Barry, he very popularly would say, "I'm both good in the streets and the suites."

NARRATOR: The other man behind the new arena: Abe Pollin.

TED: Where Mr. Pollin was a visionary and a genius, was from saying, I will move the arena from the less expensive land out in Maryland to an area of the city that when people first heard where the arena was going to go, said this won't work.

GEOFF: His devotion to the city and his commitment to building that building and to taking on a big financial burden to do it was impressive.

He was a local guy.

He made his money in DC and he was committed to making something big happen.

NARRATOR: The arena threw open its gates on December 2nd, 1997.

REPORTER: The newly christened Fun Street lived up to its name as hundreds lined the block in front of the MCI Center to watch as a fife and drum band led the opening day parade.

ABE: It's a fantastic day, a fantastic day.

I think I'm floating around, but I mean, after five years of hoping and planning and overcoming frustration and whatever, and to see it come to fruition, it's just a day of, a day of joy really.

NARRATOR: The arena, affectionately nicknamed "The Phone Booth," transformed its surroundings almost overnight.

GEOFF: All of a sudden it was green light go for opening restaurants and night spots, and it radiated out across that part of DC instantly.

Walking up and down 7th Street at night with bright lights on and crowds of people who were happy to be there was a new experience.

NARRATOR: Professional basketball and hockey came to downtown.

TED: One of the things that earmarks a great community is sports teams.

COMMENTATOR: Adam Oates turning.

Oates in, blocked, covered, he scores.

NARRATOR: The Washington Capitals made the 1998 Stanley Cup finals.

Later that year, the Washington Mystics tipped off for the first time.

And the Washington Bullets arrived in town, sporting a new name on their jerseys.

ANNOUNCER: For more clips, and to watch the full program, visit weta.org/decades.