Catania announces stadium plan

[uniteo]

Accoriding to WAMU, David Catania said the city is considering a stadium on Pennsylvania Ave., SE. to be served by a proposed light rail line (set to be running in 2006).

Now there's a city councilman on the case...this thing may get built in my lifetime.

[K]

Whoa!!!

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0204/125871.html

K

[Sachin]

I like this idea, if indeed it does happen. Easy to get to for just about everyone involved. Hopefully we can put in a training facility there too.

Sachin

[b1968k]

... but Catania is one of the biggest budget guardians in the DC government. If he is on-board with this then getting the city to help with the financing may not be a problem at all.

Couple this with the comments the other day (from Payne??) about having a stadium and training facility that could straddle the Anacostia, as well as the efforts to redevelop the Anacostia waterfront and it looks like there might be some momentum here.

Just don't eat the fish.

[revelation]

Time to call our Council Members to make sure they get onto this plan!

This would be way cool!

For those in Ward 2 - Jack Evans wants to hear from you!

http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/website/Jack.html

[TOTC]

I lump this in with the planned New York Avenue baseball stadium, the planned Olympic theme park, the planned mayoral mansion at the Casey property, and the Easter Bunny.

This ain't gonna happen, people. It's a desperate grab before DCSEC and Sasho roll out the new Ludwig Field plan for the University of Maryland, DCU, and whatever WUSA2 team there is here.

[revelation]

Threads merged.

[mellon002]

I'm hesitant, but I can't help but think about the Freddy-factor here. TOTC makes a good point and that's what I first thought as well. The only problem with the examples he listed is the fact that 3 of the 4 things mentioned (baseball, olympics, and the Easter Bunny) aren't here. DC United is here and now. With the Caps going down and the Wizards stinking, United will arguably the hottest ticket in DC by this summer. You will never have as much support for he stadium than over the next few years. Why not get it done?

[ursula]

Originally posted by Sachin
I like this idea, if indeed it does happen. Easy to get to for just about everyone involved. Sachin

Whoa there pal! There is NO SE Pennsylvania Ave in SE Portland! I can't see where this helps me in the least!


Seriously this could be great news. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[EdTheRed]

Mind...blown...must...e-mail...councilman...

If this comes to fruition, I...don't...know...what to say...

It's a big "if," to be sure, but still, it's nice to see that the city council is interested in at least talking about a stadium in the city.

[entropy]

I knew I did a good thing when I voted for him as an at-large candidate for the DC council. Still, we have to see how this is going to pan out.

[Sundevil9]

At least it's a statement from somebody that doesn't include "we're talking", or "right after MLB makes up it's mind"......

[Lanky134]

Let our own version of "60-90 days" begin...

[neilgrossman]

What is "light rail". Is that a euphemism for busses or a real metro line?

[Lowecifer]

http://206.103.49.193/btc/jpg/btc125.jpg

Light Rail is a surface-based rail system. Metro known as "heavy rail". We have light rail in Baltimore and many people use it to go to sporting events at Camden Yards & Ravens Stadium. They have light rail in Portland as well.

It's not as fast or efficient as the Metro, but it's a workable mode of transport.

If this is a serious discussion between the government of DC and United, I think they are thinking properly by locating near some sort of transportation hub, though Metro would be better since it is already in place.

[Sundevil9]

Originally posted by neilgrossman
What is "light rail". Is that a euphemism for busses or a real metro line?

Light Rail = Modern looking trolleys

[General Apathy]

Originally posted by neilgrossman
What is "light rail". Is that a euphemism for busses or a real metro line?

here's the simple definition:

heavy rail = electricity comes from 3rd rail, on the ground (subways, metro)

light rail = electiricty comes from overhead wires (trolleys)

light rail is sometimes run in the median of the street, or in the street itself (complete with having to stop at traffic signals). it's not necessarily seperated from roadways via tunnels, bridges or it's own dedicated path. that being said, i have no idea what they're planning in this situation.

[GrillMaster]

Originally posted by entropy
I knew I did a good thing when I voted for him as an at-large candidate for the DC council. Still, we have to see how this is going to pan out. Pardon my cynicism, but whenever a politician leaks something this way it could be a couple of things: a trial baloon to assess local reaction, or an early warning to opposition citizen groups, among other things.

I would much prefer that any plans stay below radar until permits and studies have been achieved and done. If there are public dollars involved, expect to hear a chorus of objections. While immaterial compared to baseball, many DC denizens would prefer the $ spent for more affordable housing and to improve health care (DC General, anyone?).

Premature ejaculations are usually the kiss of death in a budding relationship.

GM

[CrystalTipps]

Um, Catania's office didn't even know about this when I called there this a.m., so while this would be awesome, I'm not really even considering it till things are extremely more concrete. Especially because he's tying it in with something WMATA is going to do and they are currently running a $36 million deficit and are unable to get buy-in from places like Herndon to get the much needed rail service to Dulles.

If it happens, awesome, but eh, we'll see.

[Colin Grabow]

Who's going to pay for it? The DC government? If so, count me against it. I'd rather see them fix the schools and potholes before going around building stadiums for professional sports teams.