Field of Schemes
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November 14, 2004

Do I hear $600m?

An investigation by the Washington Post has found some likely additional costs for D.C.'s Expos stadium project - $174 million worth. Added to the initial projected $440 million cost, this would bring the final price tag to an estimated $614 million, which would put it in the running for most expensive baseball stadium ever built.

According to the Post's study of internal government documents, the bulk of the new costs would be nearly $100 million in new transit costs, including expanding the Navy Yard Metro station that would serve the new park. The Navy Yard station currently serves just 3,000 to 4,000 riders daily, a small fraction of what would be expected for an Expos game, as has just seven fare gates compared to 20 at the existing RFK Stadium stop.

Asked about the discrepancy, D.C. baseball aide Stephen Green suggested - presumably with a straight face, though the Post didn't say - that overcrowding would actually be a good thing, as it would force fans to walk from the next station and possibly patronize nearby stores and restaurants. Not to mention the potential positive impact on other area businesses.

COMMENTS

Has Gandi considered the stadium's potential cost increases for the proposed South Capital Street corriod vehicular tunnel (which would run directly beneath the stadium?

Also, what about the potential terrorist target of placing such a stadium with 30,000+ spectators, directly atop this vehicular tunnel?

Posted by Douglas A. Willinger on December 10, 2004 02:08 PM

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