D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the Gallery Place/Chinatown task force Monday, aimed at boosting the economy around the Capital One Arena, including an “immediate activation” of the area and the development of a financial plan. The move comes as the Washington Capitals and Wizards contemplate a move to Northern Virginia. The teams currently draw thousands of hockey and basketball fans to the neighborhood, and their loss would add to the  area’s challenges, including a pandemic-induced decline in office workers and tourists as well as growing concerns about crime and safety.

The task force’s priorities will include creating a “strategic vision” for the future of the two blocks encompassing Gallery Place and Capital One Arena, identifying activities that would draw more visitors to the area, recommending investments, and community engagement.

The task force is one of a number of initiatives Bowser introduced Monday to bring people back downtown. Part of that push is a new telework policy, reducing the number of days D.C. government workers are allowed to work remotely to one day a week rather than two.

The District is also aiming to increase housing downtown. Last year, Bowser announced the DC Comeback Plan, which included a proposal to bring 15,000 residents downtown over five years, including a push to convert offices into residential units and addressing affordability. As part of that goal, she announced emergency legislation Monday amending the Housing in Downtown program, including a property tax break for builders who make a minimum percentage of their units affordable in the area. Developers are converting  downtown office buildings into nearly 2,500 apartments. Five of those projects are already underway, and Bowser said there are 11 more conversions in the works.

D.C. hasn’t given up hope that the Wizards and Capitals will stay. Last month, D.C. officials announced a $500 million offer to the teams’ owners, Monumental Sports, to help renovate Capital One Arena and keep the teams in the District. Bowser said at Monday’s press conference that the offer still stands, noting the money would be paid out over three years starting as soon as this spring.

“We continue to know the best place for Monumental Sports is right here in the Downtown,” Bowser said Monday. “The fans think so, the community thinks so, the players think so.”

The downtown task force will be chaired by Jodie McLean of EDENS, a retail real estate developer and operator, and Deborah Ratner Salzberg of Uplands Real Estate, a development and investment firm. Former D.C. Mayors Anthony Williams and Adrian Fenty will serve as honorary co-chairs. The executive committee will also include representatives from Pepco, the José Andrés Group, the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Downtown DC BID.

Officials did not give a specific timeline for when the task force would fulfill these priorities, though they did note that the task force will come up with a strategic vision by the spring. Officials also did not give a specific calendar for meetings.