Mayor Williams not running again according to Washington Post

[DistrictCrookedEyes]

This could have a major impact on our new stadium plans. Cropp and Fenty are now the front-runners and I don't think either are stadium friendly.

[Bootsy Collins]

Yeah. Obviously we don't really know how much of a setback this might be; and we can discuss to infinity whether it's a good thing for the city as a whole or not. But it clearly seems like negative news. Just hope it's minor rather than major.

[bigredfutbol]

If Cropp wins, four words: Get It In Writing.

[b1968k]

However, if the Council is discussing a development package - including a soccer stadium/concert venue - for Poplar Point in Anacostia that would bring jobs, restaurants, services and new housing to currently empty space (next to a Metro stop) with some city contribution but most of the costs and risks being assumed by the developers ... you might actually see the mayoral candidates fighting each other to get out front.

(I realize the above is a best-case scenario. But we are allowed to dream aren't we.)

[CHICO13]

Don't bet against the Mayor For Life from throwing his hat into the ring.

[Lanky134]

Remember that Cropp's main opposition ot the stadium was that it was wholly publicly funded. This will mostly be privately funded, and no business or homes will need to be knocked down. It's a consoiderably different situation.

[Bootsy Collins]

Remember that Cropp's main opposition ot the stadium was that it was wholly publicly funded. This will mostly be privately funded,
I hope this is right, but do we know this? I've seen it a lot around here, but the only writings on the subject I've seen in the paper have said nothing more than that it's intended to be a mix of public and private financing, with the public component possibly coming from tax increment financing; no relative amounts assigned.

[fatbastard]

Cropp was VERY pro-soccer-stadium when she came to watch the game last year, and at the rally. Cropp likes the concept of stadiums, just not giving away the farm when the rich white folks behind the team can readily afford to pony up some $$. Bless her little political heart. More people should have stood up to that boondoggle that will be the National's stadium.
Hard to say who'll end up giving in to what - and we just have to hope the Poplar Point land doesn't get given to someone else as a political favor in the upcoming mayoral race.

[Bootsy Collins]

Cropp was VERY pro-soccer-stadium when she came to watch the game last year, and at the rally.
That was Carol Schwartz, not Linda Cropp.

[MattMathai]

That was Carol Schwartz, not Linda Cropp.

You can tell them apart by their hairstyles.

[fatbastard]

That was Carol Schwartz, not Linda Cropp.
right, Schwartz was at the rally, but it was Cropp who was at the game earlier than that and had nothing but nice things to say about a stadium for United.
All politicians look the same to me :)

[Bootsy Collins]

You can tell them apart by their hairstyles.
And voice. Carol Schwartz' voice sounds like 1,000 years of smoking followed by six hours with a wood rasp.

[Stan Collins]

Cropp likes the concept of stadiums, just not giving away the farm when the rich white folks behind the team can readily afford to pony up some $$. Bless her little political heart. The only problem is that her fiscal fortitude grew only at the 11th hour. I would still worry a bit that whatever limited favors we ask (and we'll ask at least for infrastructure improvements) could still suddenly be deemed 'irresponsible.'

[revelation]

While Cropp seemed to be grandstanding at the last minute in the face of a large anti-MLB sentiment in DC, based on the Mayor giving away the farm before getting buy-in from the council, there is a lot of ineptitude running around. The Mayor could have involved the council in the approval process (even in just a consultive role) when negotiating with MLB or at least not presented the deal a fait accompli to the council with MLB saying this way or the highway. Cropp had a legitimate gripe in that the council never got to review the deal before it was done and the Expos were moving to DC.

The smart way for DC United to handle this is to:

1) Make it a private-public partnership. DC United gives the majority of the money for the stadium while getting improvements paid for by the city.

2) Get council people on your side by keeping them informed, requesting their input, talking about how it will improve the city and the location. Particularly important will be the Ward 8 councilmember, the at-large councilmembers, and the local ANCs.

3) Sell the vision to the community. Don't follow in MLB's tracks and basically say "we're tearing down this neighborhood to build a new stadium on the public dime for suburbanites"... Approach it as, "we're looking to anchor commercial development and neighborhood integration with a soccer stadium. Look at the MCI center and the amount of urban renewal that has occured around it." While it will appear to be enforced gentrification for some, if the councilmembers and ANC members in the locality are behind it, this will be an easier sell.

Just some of my thoughts...

[TEConnor]

Mayor Williams will be able to move this through faster when he doesn't care what the potential political ramifications are going to be. If it moves quickly enough, I see a way that this could help.

Williams has been a fabulous Mayor, in my opinion. In a way, him stepping out of the race now removes most of the mojo for the opposition-only candidates in Fenty and Cropp. In a way, this is like a judo move to their entire posturing stance, as they now have to try and reposition themselves to be actual candidates running for public office rather than naysayers pissing in the Mayor's well.

Cheers,
Tim

[seahawkdad]

There was once the Eddie Pope Urban Soccer League associated with DC United (maybe it still is...just couldn't find mention of it on the United site).

Get our Eddie involved with the complex, and emphasize that the surrounding fields (I assume there will be some) will be a great place for DC kids to develop toward what soccer offers in after school activities, college scholarships and professional opportunities. Commit DC United resources to supporting the league with equipment, transportation and coaching.

Additionally, if not already, get involved with DC school's sports program, supporting soccer teams at the high school level. Not only builds players, but potentially fans as well.

Start working with DC travel teams such as DC Stoddard with the idea of having the auxiliary fields becoming home fields for DC select teams.

With all of this, and with the maturation of a DC United academy located smack in the middle of DC, who knows what the future payoff could be.

[seahawkdad]

Mayor Williams will be able to move this through faster when he doesn't care what the potential political ramifications are going to be. If it moves quickly enough, I see a way that this could help.

Williams has been a fabulous Mayor, in my opinion. In a way, him stepping out of the race now removes most of the mojo for the opposition-only candidates in Fenty and Cropp. In a way, this is like a judo move to their entire posturing stance, as they now have to try and reposition themselves to be actual candidates running for public office rather than naysayers pissing in the Mayor's well.

Cheers,
TimYou must spread some Reputation around before giving it to TEConnor again.

Damn, Tim. You're good.

[DutchFootballRulez]

I say we make a play for Fenty. He's young, Ward Four is an ok place (I should know). The residents like him, just a bit inexperienced. (he's like a DC version of John Edwards)

Of course I'd rather the ownership group play all sides of the Election but...meh.