Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 1: Event on Oct 18

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

Now you are in my backyard when you bring up Hyattsville. Actually, a possible spot would be right next to the West Hyattsville station:

http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

It is on the Green Line and one stop from Fort Totten, which hooks up with the Yellow and Red Lines. In the old days, it was the location of Palmer Ford and a drive-in. There is a warehouse next to the station that appears to be abandoned could be a possible location for a stadium. Space for parking could be a problem. The other thing, there is nothing there in terms of amenities. Not exactly an area that one thinks about in terms of development, so I am not sure if it would fit the big plan.

Downtown Hyattsville may have potential as there is development going on. Not sure if there is any location that would work for a stadium. No Metro access to downtown Hyattsville.

College Park would have potential although the possible site for a stadium is not near the University. It is near the Metro. The amenities for a stadium crowd are already there.

I use to work in Silver Spring. Never understood why it did not build up like Bethesda and become a hot spot for night life. The drive down Colesville Road (Rte 29) from the Beltway although not great would be bearable. The big problem is lack of real estate.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

Riz,

Didn't know if this was the appropriate spot to mention this (not exactly Ward 4) and I am way out of the loop on this stuff, but one of the responses I got from my email blast last night was this:

This seems tailor made for the large number of our regulars!!

KGDG
Come On United (States and DC)
www.screaming-eagles.com
Born in D.C., Brought Up at RFK!!

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

OK here's the report from the front.
Fenty was at the Ward 4 ANC meeting tonight, his home turf as he used to be our councilman. The meeting started at 7 and Fenty showed at 8. The first hour was spent with very real and frightening community concerns about problem houses, section 8 housing, lack of police interaction - serious issues affecting the approximately 100 people there. I was there early though and sat in the front row.
Fenty gave a few words, and I was the second question he took.

I told him that I'm concerned about successful economic development along Georgia Ave and the Green Line corridor, so the issue of what will happen at Poplar Point is important and relevant. I said that I was at RFK a week before the election when he promised his commitment to a build a soccer stadium at Poplar Point. But now, you've created a bid process that doesn't require a stadium there. A successful african american developer, welcomed by the Ward 7 and 8 councilmembers has pulled out because the bid process appears to stack the cards against him. ANd in today's Post, we read that Maryland is salivating at the chance to have this development. How did we get to this point, what happened?

He responded that I summed up his position fairly, that he's in no way against a soccer stadium at Poplar Point (I find it interesting that he didn't say "I hope to see a soccer stadium at PP") but that to be responsible to the City he wants to make sure all offers are on the table. And the best offer may include a stadium.

----
I didn't want to push it further because there are very real concerns here and a lot of people came to ask about community issues.

I'd give myself a B-. I gave him too much room to manuever. I think the question would have been more effective if made more simple:

Before the election you promised your commitment to a soccer stadium at PP, now you made an open bid process there that does not require the stadium. Why didn't you make it a requirement? Aren't you backtracking on your campaign pledge?

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

Yeah, that was me, but I'm not sure if there is enough room for parking to make it possible since it isn't directly on the metro. The land itself is 47 acres, I believe, which is basically totally undeveloped. It is literally right off of 270 and the beltway, but the closest metro is probably a 20 minute walk (Strathmore Station). It is very near Montgomery Mall, which could potentially provide parking on gamenights. Canyon Ranch, a luxury developer, was supposed to build on this land, and got about as far as you can get without putting shovel to dirt before they pulled out. That means that there may not be too many political obstacles to getting high-density development there.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

Well, at least your report didn't mention a taser.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

dsheon, thanks for standing tall for United.

You reminded him in public that the issue is out there, and were wise to keep our stadium needs in perspective to your ward's concerns.

Well done.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

this thread, seriously, depresses me

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

I feel like we should all join hands and start singing "Kumbaya" or "We Are the World."

[youtube]WmxT21uFRwM[/youtube]

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

I have to think that $200M is a bare minimum that would have to spent to support even the Low-Density development that DC Govt has currently limited bids to - There is basically NOTHING there now - No roads and just a dinky US Park Service building - Even Low-Density developments of mostly apartments and a few modest stores would need lots of water & sewage & electricity that just isn't there now

For a rather High-Density proposal (like MacFarlane's) with more apartments but much more retail and commercial developmen, and of course a Stadium/Hotel/Restaurant/Pub complex, the amount of infrastructure would be higher but not twice as high - $300M but not $400M

The question in negotiations is whether or not Fenty and his advisors are smart enough to realize that actual NET Tax Revenues for Low-Density would be a LOSS - Sure only $200M in Infrastructure, but little in Tax Revenues, and lots in Tax dollars expended on Police, Fire, Schools, etc - Things that PEOPLE who live there demand - The only real way to get a return on investing Tax Dollars for Infrastructure is to got for High-Density development that will generate Tax Revenues and not demand high expenditures - Commercial buildings don't need Schools, etc and only some Police and Fire - Sure with the apartments proposed by MacFarlane, there will be a demand for Schools, etc, but because the commercial/retail buildings will generate Taxes, the actual NET Tax Revenues will be POSITIVE

This isn't Rocket Science - This is basic 7th grade Civics

Now lets assume that Fenty realizes this and really does want a High-Density development and that Infrastructure would cost $300M - The real negotiations will be how much of the extra Infrastructure costs will Fenty try to put on MacFarlane? - And how much more costs can MacFarlane reasonably accept and still make an overall profit on the whole Poplar Point development? - Would $275M by the city & $25M by MacFarlane be an acceptable deal? - Would Fenty try for $225 by the city & $75M by MacFarlane - But wouldn't MacFarlane seriously balk at that as being too high a cost and too long to get back a profit?

I thnk this is what the real dance will be about, and that both parties are maneuvering for this dance - I'm still pretty optimistic that it'll all turn out to be a waltz instead of a Dance to the Death

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

Thanks all. Look, let's use my experience, which was NOT in front of media, as a testing ground. Kim and others, if you can learn from it, than I'll be happier. Be very, very pointed with the question when you get your chance Thursday, or whenever. My view is that the best we can do is say look, you made a campaign promise to support a stadium in PP. Now you're no longer committed to that. You say it's ok if it happens, but if something better comes, that's ok too. Well Mr Constituency, Mr. Elected Official, that's not good enough. You made us a promise, now f'n deliver. I agree that the city should get the best deal possible on a stadium, but the issue of whether or not a stadium is part of the package should no longer be on the table. We need a stadium. It's been promised for too long, the owners are sick of dealing with the changing winds of DC government. Now make it happen. Period. M'Fr.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601977.html

The original Maryland article is updated with some new quotes and information for tomorrows print edition. It looks like it'll be front page of the Metro Section.

That quote in particular from DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray is promising, and it really looks like there is an increasing group of DC politicians lining up against Fenty on this one.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

It's tied up in a legal morass. No way United could make it go in time for 2010.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Wards 7 & 8: Check In N

This should make good video when the Pacific Rim earthquakes happen.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Wards 7 & 8: Check In N

Why? It's on the south coast of England.

 

My follow up email to Fenty:

Mayor Fenty,

Nice to see you tonight at the Ward 4 Meeting. I wish I didn't have to bring the soccer stadium issue up there, but you've not written me back from previous emails, over nearly two months. The issue, which perhaps I didn't communicate effectively, is that before the election you COMMITTED to supporting a soccer stadium at Poplar Point. I can show you your exact quotes made in front of me and 20,000 other fans if you don't believe me.

Now, after elected, you want bids for the site but don't require a stadium as part of the bid. The citizens have waited long enough. We don't want to see another team leave the District like the Redskins did. We're sick of elected officials who make promises to get elected then back track. I think I know you better than that. Please, please stay true to your word. Even if MacFarlane's proposal is not good enough, at least require that the bids include a soccer stadium.

Wednesday's Wash Post has this to say: "I don't blame Maryland for trying to get" United, Barry said. "They've got more sense than the Fenty administration does."
It's not often that I've agreed with Marion Barry, but I do now. And so do thousands of other United fans who are DC residents. Enough with the games. Require a stadium in the bids for PP. You've gone back on your election promise, and that makes me and thousands of other residents view your word with skepticism.


David

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Ward 4: CHECK IN NOW

And not only that, but using all of the articles that have been unearthed here, very pointed questions about how much the city spent/is spending on infrastructure at MCI and the Nats park and why he only objects to doing the same when it's United.

I think this thread is a pretty potent weapon. There are a lot of blunt and embarassing questions lurking around in all these links and whatnot. Quiver, Fenty, quiver.

 

I heard Peter Franchot (Takoma Park, REPRESENT!!) on WTOP this morning talking about the stadium.

This was around 6:20 am or so.

He has some very good things to say, like:

• Metro accessable
• Near the DC line
• Inside the Beltway
• Commitment to DC United

All in all, that was a pretty good segment. Hopefully WTOP will have an MP3 of the interview up soon.

 

Re: Stadium News and Speculation IX | DCUnitedPetition.com - DC Residents in Wards 7 & 8: Check In N

Oh heh, someone was talking about Vancouver and all.

Maybe the one there will look like it so when it breaks off it'll become a huge floating boat.