Anacostia Waterfront Director Named

[Hedbal]

There is an article on page B-2 (Metro section) of today's Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) introducing Andrew Altman, outgoing D.C. Plannig Director, as the first Director of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, the organization charged with redeveloping the Anacostia Waterfront, including Poplar Point. Most of the article discusses the west side of the river, particularly the baseball stadium site and the shuttered DC General Hospital site, but there is some discussion of the east side of the river. What disturbs me is that there is no mention at all of a SSS, only talk about park development and access to the river for residents. KP and minions must pay a call on Mr. Altman, and fast.

[dcgoonies]

Direct link
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43503-2005Jan2.html

Looks like good people on the board. Hopefully they are focused on United also.
Nice paycheck for Mr. Altman -


Altman, 41, will be paid $195,000 annually - hope he's worth it.
What did Goldwater make??

[CHICO13]

What did Goldwater make??
A ton of enemies.

[BudWiser]

A ton of enemies.

That he did...................

http://www.dcwatch.com/govern/sports030516b.htm

[b1968k]

Looks like good people on the board. Hopefully they are focused on United also.
Nice paycheck for Mr. Altman -

Altman, 41, will be paid $195,000 annually - hope he's worth it.
What did Goldwater make??

Altman passed up a couple of choice jobs to take on the Anacostia. He is also getting the same pay as the head of the redevelopment corporation that controls the non-Anacostia properties.

I truly believe that the lower the profile the better for United and the SSS right now. I don't see the benefit of having a lot of public discussion about something that many people in Ward 8 - and beyond - may not agree with until United/AEG have a plan and solid political backing. We all saw the kind of reaction there was when the SSS site was talked about when the BB stadium fiasco began. While a couple of folks seemed happy, the general reaction from what I remember, was not overly positive.

The way to undercut the NIMBY/anti-gentrifiers is to have a plan that benefits the community and get Barry on board from the get-go. There won't be a successful popular uprising against a Ward 8 SSS without him.

[Hedbal]

Perhaps KP could enlist USSF head (and former deputy mayor and deputy at OMB) John Koskinen to smooth the way for the SSS. John was once Maryland Youth Soccer Coach of the Year, and even owned a semi-pro team that played in Columbia, MD (Washington Stars??)

[cageyfoot]

We need to sponsor some youth organizations and/or school soccer teams over there. The sooner we get "DC United" into the heads of folks in SE the better. The motto should be that we are truly UNITED. I for one would love to see a United Supporters group clean up over there (waterfront, park, whatever ... just create some inroads).

[beltwayrob]

We need to sponsor some youth organizations and/or school soccer teams over there. The sooner we get "DC United" into the heads of folks in SE the better. The motto should be that we are truly UNITED. I for one would love to see a United Supporters group clean up over there (waterfront, park, whatever ... just create some inroads).

I think it would be a great idea. be out there in a sea of black and red helping to clean up the community, and help keep kids out of trouble. Two of what seem to be the biggest problems in that area other then the general crime problem.

As far as massive publicity, I'm sure DC United is flying under the radar for the time being. I just hope there are some solid plans ready to go soon.

[cageyfoot]

I think it would be a great idea. be out there in a sea of black and red helping to clean up the community, and help keep kids out of trouble. Two of what seem to be the biggest problems in that area other then the general crime problem.

As far as massive publicity, I'm sure DC United is flying under the radar for the time being. I just hope there are some solid plans ready to go soon.

Diceson around? How about it? We need someone w/ contacts to get this thing off the ground. Can we sticky this thread? I'd be more than willing to lend a hand. Could be turned into an annual or bi-annual event.

[fatbastard]

Perhaps KP could enlist USSF head (and former deputy mayor and deputy at OMB) John Koskinen to smooth the way for the SSS. John was once Maryland Youth Soccer Coach of the Year, and even owned a semi-pro team that played in Columbia, MD (Washington Stars??)Don't know this guy, but in general youth guys in the USSF don't much like or want to support pro soccer, it undercuts their power.

When I read this story yesterday, it made me a bit nervous (for the first time) about our stadium being built on Poplar Point. The story talked about how now that there was the baseball stadium to worry about, it would become the single most important thing being done there, and how they would have to come up with something that made the local folks think they were also being considered, maybe something like a park across the river from the stadium or something. I can't remember if it mentioned that exactly, or it was just the impression I got.
I'm not sure whether 'under the radar' is the right approach now, since everybody will be jockying for something "community related" to do once the baseball stadium gets going.

Now, if Barry has already been greased and the SSS will pop up as a better way to build and finance a stadium then fine, but that may attract its own problems. Politics are very odd in the DC.

[JoseP]

Don't know this guy, but in general youth guys in the USSF don't much like or want to support pro soccer, it undercuts their power.


John Koskinen is a very different kind of guy. I know for a fact that he is a DC United season ticket holder because he sits in the section behind me. He has been involved in the WC here and Olympic Soccer, too. He, also, happened to be the Mayor's right hand for a long time. Maybe he doesn't grab a lot of headlines, but the guy is somebody who can get things done.

[Hedbal]

John Koskinen is a very different kind of guy. I know for a fact that he is a DC United season ticket holder because he sits in the section behind me. He has been involved in the WC here and Olympic Soccer, too. He, also, happened to be the Mayor's right hand for a long time. Maybe he doesn't grab a lot of headlines, but the guy is somebody who can get things done.
You are correct. John (I know him a bit) was responsible for getting Olympic soccer here, and the WC as well. He is a DC resident and knows everybody in DC politics. And he definitely can get things done (he was the US government's point man on the Y2K problem.)

[fatbastard]

Cool, then I'll assume he's already been working on it.

I'll ignore the y2k thing, what a scam that was ;)

[JoseP]

Don't know this guy, but in general youth guys in the USSF don't much like or want to support pro soccer, it undercuts their power.


John Koskinen is a very different kind of guy. I know for a fact that he is a DC United season ticket holder because he sits in the section behind me. He has been involved in the WC here and Olympic Soccer, too. He, also, happened to be the Mayor's right hand for a long time. Maybe he doesn't grab a lot of headlines, but the guy is somebody who can get things done.

[John L]

The lack of anything specifically about the SSS aside, this is actually very encouraging news - Altman seems like a very capable person who knows how to develop and plan things properly - And is used to DC politics - I think a competent person like Altman will be just as important to DCU's future stadium as a grandstander like Barry

[JayRockers!]

There is an article on page B-2 (Metro section) of today's Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) introducing Andrew Altman, outgoing D.C. Plannig Director, as the first Director of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, the organization charged with redeveloping the Anacostia Waterfront, including Poplar Point. Most of the article discusses the west side of the river, particularly the baseball stadium site and the shuttered DC General Hospital site, but there is some discussion of the east side of the river. What disturbs me is that there is no mention at all of a SSS, only talk about park development and access to the river for residents. KP and minions must pay a call on Mr. Altman, and fast.
There is an article on page B-3 (Metro section) of today's Washington Post Waterfront Developer Departs for N.Y. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/05/AR2005100502157_3.html) saying goodbye to Andrew Altman, outgoing as the first Director of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, the organization charged with redeveloping the Anacostia Waterfront, including Poplar Point. Most of the article discusses how he got a "once-in-a-lifetime" offer from an unnamed company in New York. What disturbs me is that there is no mention at all of a SSS, only talk about an entertainment district containing the New Baseball Stadium. KP and minions must further rely on their own resources.

Thx,

Jay!

[beltwayrob]

There is an article on page B-3 (Metro section) of today's Washington Post Waterfront Developer Departs for N.Y. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/05/AR2005100502157_3.html) saying goodbye to Andrew Altman, outgoing as the first Director of the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, the organization charged with redeveloping the Anacostia Waterfront, including Poplar Point. Most of the article discusses how he got a "once-in-a-lifetime" offer from an unnamed company in New York. What disturbs me is that there is no mention at all of a SSS, only talk about an entertainment district containing the New Baseball Stadium. KP and minions must further rely on their own resources.

Thx,

Jay!

Ahh the whole thing is just a paragraph if that. Something in my gut tells me we will hear a stadium announcement on the day, or shortly thereafter, of the finalized sale of DC United.

[2010USA]

Now, if Barry has already been greased and the SSS will pop up as a better way to build and finance a stadium then fine, but that may attract its own problems. Politics are very odd in the DC.

Barry's attention might be on another greasy deal to eliminate a small tax evasion (http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/barry106) issue.

[GrillMaster]

Diceson around? How about it? We need someone w/ contacts to get this thing off the ground. Can we sticky this thread? I'd be more than willing to lend a hand. Could be turned into an annual or bi-annual event.Why don't you organize it?

GM