November 16, 2005
Soccer Barry, Barry good to him
So it turns out that when D.C. city councilmember Marion Barry said he was "absolutely, unequivocally" opposed to a D.C. United soccer stadium in his district, he was ... I was going to say "on crack," but that's probably not the best metaphor to use here. Anyway, last night Barry did an about-face at a community meeting in his district, declaring that now that the plan includes an affordable housing component, "it makes sense. A stadium by itself didn't make sense." Sound familiar?
As for how much the stadium (and accompanying housing development) would cost, how it would be paid for, how many units would be "affordable" and just who would get them - jeez, don't be a party-pooper with all your questions. "One [message] that resounds in meeting after meeting is, 'We want opportunity," D.C. United CEO told the crowd. "Bring our kids opportunity, and bring our community opportunity. We believe you are looking at opportunity." Sounds like somebody knows all about taking advantage of an opportunity.
I believe private funding will pay for a new DCU
soccer stadium. People working behind the scenes
on a new stadium have expressed their desire for
private funding and believe they can do it. At
least, I read comments about private funding
for this project.
Posted by CK on November 16, 2005 05:09 PM
Everybody says they want private funding - can they pull it off, is the question? Until we see actual numbers, it's impossible to say.
Posted by Neil on November 16, 2005 07:05 PM
DC United does not have a Bridgeview sugar daddy like the Chicago Fire have..... I've heard that most of the stadium will be privately funded, and yes in reference to Pizza Hut Park and FC Dallas..... no the DC school boards will not be paying for the stadium to play high school football in....
Posted by Bertell Ollman on November 16, 2005 08:06 PM