Dude, Where's My Stadium?
I haven't heard much being said lately about DC United plans for a new stadium (besides Mayor Anthony Williams seemingly empty promise during the first game of the season). There was a point over the break that I almost lost hope. It's great that the DCU front office is low-profile about the stadium except for the fact that it also leaves us non-investigative people in the dark.
Well since I don't want to do any research on actual school work, I present you with what I've dug up regarding the soccer specific stadium at Poplar Point.
Last I heard the obstacle to overcome was that the stadium site was owned by the federal government, which means that in order to be leased to build a stadium, it has to be owned by the District. In order to be sold/given to DC, Congress has to pass a bill.
On March 31, 2006 the Washington Business Journal ran its "Conversation with Kevin Payne." Here's the important excerpt:
I dug a little deeper and found this. I know it's old but it's nice to see a government official say to the House Subcommitte on National Parks of the Committee on Resources that the Department of the Interior strongly supports the bill.
The Senate has its own version of the bill and the same government official made pretty much the same speech in front of the Senate.
Here you can find entire Anacostia Waterfront Initiative plans.
Here you'll see maps of the entire area for the National Park Service (not to mention another copy of the bill)
Here you can find the Senate hearing on the subject.
To sum up everyone is pretty much saying that giving the land to the District of Columbia would make everything better. The U.S. Government isn't using it and, in fact, since it's not in use, it's actually a detriment. So it seems to me that the bill has to go through the motions and there are no real problems in transferring the land.
As far as the next steps (building the actual stadium and whatnot), I can't seem to find anything. All those links above don't actually mention a stadium, but I couldn't imagine *not* building the stadium.
I'm sure I'll post more as more comes out but for now all I want to say is that when the stadium is build they better actually have seats that are field level. Right now we usually get tickets on the first row right where the players get sign autographs, but seriously it's maybe 15 feet away from the actual field, which will not do for the new place. I want to be scared that I'm going to get pummelled by a clearance, that's how close I want to be. Also there better be a section that has some give so that the entire section can bounce along with La Barra Brava. I don't think there is anything more intimidating than seeing a whole side of a stadium bouncing and chanting in unison (especially if it's only 5 feet away from the players). Also, I'd want better acoustics so that I can hear the other side of the stadium's chant. The goal should be to create a stadium atmosphere that, when I bring friends neutral to soccer, will penetrate their soulds and with awe and excitement.
Just a suggestion.
Well since I don't want to do any research on actual school work, I present you with what I've dug up regarding the soccer specific stadium at Poplar Point.
Last I heard the obstacle to overcome was that the stadium site was owned by the federal government, which means that in order to be leased to build a stadium, it has to be owned by the District. In order to be sold/given to DC, Congress has to pass a bill.
On March 31, 2006 the Washington Business Journal ran its "Conversation with Kevin Payne." Here's the important excerpt:
How are things going with D.C. United's proposed new stadium?The House Bill is called the Federal and District of Columbia Government Real Property Act of 2005 (H.R. 3699) It's a whole lot of contract and legal speak. I only skimmed through it and it all seems uneventful. It looks like the last action was done in February.
The legislation is in the Congress. We don't believe there are any impediments. We believe it has cleared most of the hurdles in the House and the Senate. We've been and will continue to work with agencies of the city including the Anacostia Waterfront Corp. The AWC has recently begun the master planning process on the land, which we expect to be done expeditiously, and then we'll work together on the process of the ultimate land transfer and what the deal will be between us and the AWC. It is our hope that we will be playing in the new stadium either in 2008 or at the very latest in 2009.
How will that change the team?
It will change the business dramatically. We are in a situation at RFK where it is virtually impossible to make money. There are no suites. There are no club seats. Our share of big-game revenues are small [compared with what the team would get with a new stadium]. It is difficult to maximize day-of-game revenues because the concession facilities are antiquated. It is just a difficult place to do business.
I dug a little deeper and found this. I know it's old but it's nice to see a government official say to the House Subcommitte on National Parks of the Committee on Resources that the Department of the Interior strongly supports the bill.
The Senate has its own version of the bill and the same government official made pretty much the same speech in front of the Senate.
Here you can find entire Anacostia Waterfront Initiative plans.
Here you'll see maps of the entire area for the National Park Service (not to mention another copy of the bill)
Here you can find the Senate hearing on the subject.
To sum up everyone is pretty much saying that giving the land to the District of Columbia would make everything better. The U.S. Government isn't using it and, in fact, since it's not in use, it's actually a detriment. So it seems to me that the bill has to go through the motions and there are no real problems in transferring the land.
As far as the next steps (building the actual stadium and whatnot), I can't seem to find anything. All those links above don't actually mention a stadium, but I couldn't imagine *not* building the stadium.
I'm sure I'll post more as more comes out but for now all I want to say is that when the stadium is build they better actually have seats that are field level. Right now we usually get tickets on the first row right where the players get sign autographs, but seriously it's maybe 15 feet away from the actual field, which will not do for the new place. I want to be scared that I'm going to get pummelled by a clearance, that's how close I want to be. Also there better be a section that has some give so that the entire section can bounce along with La Barra Brava. I don't think there is anything more intimidating than seeing a whole side of a stadium bouncing and chanting in unison (especially if it's only 5 feet away from the players). Also, I'd want better acoustics so that I can hear the other side of the stadium's chant. The goal should be to create a stadium atmosphere that, when I bring friends neutral to soccer, will penetrate their soulds and with awe and excitement.
Just a suggestion.
posted by SccrPlaya at 9:29 PM
4 Comments:
I recall reading an interview with K. Payne where he did say they were talking to the architects about desiging some 'play' into the stands so that they could bounce.
That would be awesome. I'm glad that Payne knows that the stadium would not only represent the team itself but also the fans.
Do you remember where you read that?
I'm with you. I want the stadium to be a place that the opposition fears. Despite any voting last year to the contrary, I believe (in my possibly biased opinion) that DC United have the best fans in all the league, and we'd only be made better by the proper surroundings.
I hope this stadium deal gets done. I want to be able to say that I saw the first game at the new digs, and that I went hoarse doing it.
I'll be right there in line with you. A stadium that fits the fans' personality will go a long way towards increasing the fan base and creating a permanence that is lacking in a shared stadium.
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