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January 17, 2011
D.C. United exploring D.C. stadium sites
D.C. United is apparently preparing to play Baltimore and Washington against each other in its bid for a new stadium: After talking up Baltimore last summer, team president Kevin Payne now says he's discussed four sites in D.C. with city officials.
One leading candidate, according to the Washington Post, is Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington:
[City council member Tommy] Wells said last week that he isn't sure how a stadium would be financed, particularly with the city facing an expected $400 million-plus budget shortfall next year, but that a stadium on Buzzards Point would enliven the neighborhood. The Akridge property is between First and Second and R and V streets SW, a neighborhood that has seen little new development. "It's an area that really could be a great place for soccer, but also a great place to have more commerce and retail on the west side of South Capitol," Wells said.
If Buzzard Point is familiar to you, that may be because it's part of the same area that was supposed to be revitalized by the Washington Nationals stadium when that was opened in 2008. But surely the second time will be the charm.
"But surely the second time will be the charm."
I am sure a lot of businesses had considered moving into the area but held back until they knew the city would build a baseball stadium AND a soccer venue.
If one stadium provides a huge economic boost for the city (just look at those economic impact studies produced by the city), then two stadia must generate a mega amounts of economic activity.
Posted by bevo on January 17, 2011 06:07 PM
I agree, Bevo.
In fact, in reading economic impact studies produced by professional sports leagues seeking public subsidy, I have come to the conclusion that if every city in North America just built a 40-70,000 seat stadium, the alleged recession would be over and all persons everywhere would be incredibly wealthy.
Posted by John Bladen on January 17, 2011 08:50 PM
They should have never built the Nationals a stadium and had given a small fraction of that funding to the team that wins trophies in the District.
Posted by Tim on January 19, 2011 02:38 AM