Olympic Bid Evaluation Tonight. I know that getting the Olympics to be hosted in Washington would be an economic boost for the DC area but what would that do for future/current DCU stadium plans??? It seems to me that everyones been waiting for this decision before they commit on a DCU project. IMHO, if DC is not chosen to host the 2012 Olympics, then serious discussions will commence concerning a new stadium. If DC is chosen, then a soccer SPECIFIC stadium for DC is out the window for long after 2012. DC may play in a new park, but not one specifically designed with soccer in mind. Personally, I'd rather have the Olympics elsewhere, and have DCU get their long deserved United Park. TS.
Yes - the thought is that if DC is selected a new stadium will be built as a track and field venue that will be converted into a soccer specific stadium.
I believe the stadium will be built right away and will be easily convertible to a soccer stadium. We might have to deal with a track between us and the field but it might be worth it.
I thought that the one image from the Washington Post a couple of months back showed the soccer stadium as already being built right in lot 8. It was going to be converted to the beach volleyball stadium for the games. Presumably, it was already there long before the olympics showed up. I think that if their going to build an Olympic staduim where RFK is right now they'll build it so it can be converted into a football stadium. Then use it to lure the Redskins back into DC. That's what I'd do if I were in charge. (And it'd make more sense to DC, unless United is attracting 50K a game by then). In the end -- whether DC gets a baseball team or the Olympics or neither -- every sign the DC Sports Commision sends out has DC United playing in a stadium in Lot 8, within the next few years. I think they're just waiting until some other stuff is resolved before they make an announcement.
Man you guys are way off. IF (big IF) DC gets the Olympics, RFK will be torn down and rebuilt into Olympic Stadium, that will host Track and Field, Opening Ceremonies, etc. The timeline for RFK goes like this... DC United until 2004 Baseball 2004-2007 Torn down and rebuild 2008-2011 Olympics 2012 A DC United Soccer Stadium (remember the preliminary drawings in the Post?) is to be constructed on Lot 8 (open by 2004 season) and designed to host Beach Volleyball during the Olympics. (Or some other sport). The SSS is being considered irregardless of baseball or the Olympics, its just a matter of getting the numbers worked out between AEG and DCSEC.
The main issue, to me, isn't strict soccer specificity. Rather it's who controls the venue and who makes the money from it. If the team is controlling it and/or benefitting financially, then I don't care if it's also a track and field venue. However, if the Stadium Authority manages it and United isn't making money, then we're much better off staying at RFK. If sharing the stadium during the Olympics is the price we have to pay to get a good stadium deal, then go for it. Hell, I'll be really surprised if MLS is even around in 2012.
I can work out those numbers for you right now. Cost AEG 100% DCSEC 0% Control of Facility AEG 0% DCSEC 100% Shaft Fans 100% Others 0%
Not going against you, what you say makes sense but I was wondering where your info was from? That would be staus quo???
DC might get the US bid (final decision Nov. 3), but that does not guarantee that we'll get the Olympics. That decision will be made by the IOC in 2005. I see no chance of DC starting construction before the bid is secured, so we're 4-5 years away from getting a SSS in conjunction with the Olympics. I'm confident it will be designed as a SSS since it will be used by United for many years (assuming MLS is around), while the Olympics lasts only a couple of weeks in 2012. This entire ordeal contains so much speculation that it's hardly worth worrying about. We've been hearing about SSS for NY, KC, Dallas, DC, Chicago, etc. for years. Nothing has been done, and I don't expect anything to be done anytime soon. AEG/Hunt/MLS are all bark and no bite when it comes to SSS. The reason AEG built a stadium for LA was guaranteed use by the USMNT for friendlies/training on a regular basis - that is, he has a backup tenant for the stadium if MLS goes under.
AEG could build a stadium now, if they wanted too, but they want DC to help out. I remember articles in the Post indicating the DCSEC was only considering a SSS if DC got the Olympics. Unfortunately, no Olympics = no DC $$$ for a stadium = AEG will do nothing.
Volleyball wouldn't require a track between the stands and the field. IF this happened, it would be a SSS being converted for use in the Olympics, rather than a volleyball stadium modified for soccer. The plans put up in the Post a while back looked OK as far as anyone could tell. Hunt had to build a stadium since Columbus was kicked out of Ohio Stadium.
I don't like the idea at all of turning a track and field venue into the next stadium for DCU. One, I hate, Hate, HATE the track between the players and the fans. Secondly, the track and field venue is normally also the opening ceremoney venue which means the biggest stadium they can possibily build... hence United ultimately playing in a half empty stadium again. I think most of us are in agreement that we'd rather have a 25-30K(or so) capacity EPL style(roof, no track) stadium, which could potentially be packed and would bring a more intimate atmosphere to our game.(see the Fire vs Revs game last weekend) A T&F stadium will not do this for DCU. TS.
Bobby Goldwater. ***There will be NO track around DC's Soccer Stadium*** All track and field events will be at whatever RFK is turned into. (Olympic Stadium). The SSS will be a JOINT venture between AEG and the DCSEC. As Diceson reported, there is already $20million in the budget for a new SSS that is from the profits from RFK. Right now, AEG is the hold up with the stadium. Unlike many of you would like to believe, they aren't just going to write unlimited checks. They are trying to design a European style (roof over stands) stadium that is cost effective. They aren't just going to spend whatever and get it done. Likewise, they aren't going to build a modified High School stadium (Like Crew Stadium) just for the sake of saying its an SSS. I'll repeat again, the SSS is moving forward irregardless of the Olympics or Baseball, but AEG is the ones trying to work out the numbers now. From everything I've been told by the DCSEC, they are not the ones standing in the way of the stadium being built. There is already a framework of an agreement to split parking/concessions/merchandise and operating expenses in a new stadium but the delay is on AEG's part.
I hate to be a bubble-bursting troll here... But I've seen signs around New York and in Giants Stadium saying something like "Imagine the Olympics in NYC, 2012". Every time I've seen that board, I thought it was a done deal. But for all I know, it could just be an advertising gimmick to get people to support New York City getting the bid. (Just Edited) Sorry, it's just an ad gimmick. Check it out if you'd like: http://www.nyc2012.com/
My numbers agree with these. I also have the following scenario worked out: Soccer Specific Stadium in 2004: Shaft ME 0% Baseball 0% Soccer Specific Stadium in 2013: Shaft ME 100000000% Baseball 0% No matter what, I foresee Baseball getting no shaft. Tim
Baseball is going to shaft themselves Friday. That's just what Goldwater told me. I asked him specifically what good it would do DC United to move from a crappy deal in RFK to a crappy deal in a SSS. He said the SSS would be a joint venture, where DCU and the DCSEC would share expenses and revenues, that most of that is already agreed to. AEG, however, is trying to work out how much they want to spend on the stadium. Tweaking the number of luxury boxes, etc. to keep costs down while building a quality stadium. From what he says, the ball is in AEG's court.
Thanks for the skinny chayes. I like the way you spin this...but I still think "The Man" will screw ME and you on this one. And I think a baseball strike on Friday would be one of maybe three things that could bring a smile to my face this week... Tim