March 18, 2009

Maryland: We don't know nuthin' 'bout funding no stadiums

Apparently even vague financing plans for a D.C. United stadium were too much for the Maryland legislature, which stripped language from the stadium bill that would have specified the use of state bonds to finance the project. Instead, the new language will just punt the issue to negotiations between the Maryland Stadium Authority, the county, and the team. Many, many hearings can be expected before that comes to pass; bill sponsor Del. Melony Griffith declared, "Shovels are not going into the ground if this bill passes."

Meanwhile, Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson has asked the Metro transit agency to sell it land near the Morgan Boulevard Blue Line station that is one possible stadium site. No word on whether Metro would get full market value for the land, or whether United would reimburse the county for land expenses.