Stadium News and Speculation

Discussion in 'D.C. United' started by Colin Grabow, Sep 7, 2006.

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  1. Sundevil9

    Sundevil9 Member

    Nov 23, 1999
    Reston, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I hate to keep bringing this back to your perception of Gallery Place/Chinatown/the area around the arena, but you're still way off. You need to remember how abandoned that area was.

    8 years ago there was nothing on F street for several blocks. South of Chinatown and H street there was nothing on 7th until you got down to the District Chop House. And then nothing for another block south. There was nothing on F,G, and 9th around the Portrait Gallery. All of it was empty buildings that saw their heyday some years ago.

    Few people worked, lived, or ventured into that neighborhood unless they were going to lunch with Red Auerbach.

    The plan for the baseball stadium seems is using the MCI center analogy pretty well, hopefully the soccer stadium and development could be the beachhead on the opposite side of the river to spur on more development.
     
  2. John L

    John L Member+

    Sep 20, 2003
    Alexandria, VA
    The MCI Center and RFK have more in common with each other when compared to the Nats in SE and DCU in PP/Anacostia - Transportation - While MCI Center certainly has a lot more nightlife spots around it than RFK does or will have in the future, they're both connected to multilple Metro lines - And RFK definitely has MCI beat on car traffic with easy access to highways and through-streets - These are much better locations than the Nats and PP, which both have only one measly station on a minor line - In fact, even PP will have better access to highways for car traffic than the Nats

    In the end, the commercial success of the Nats and the PP sites will have less to do with the stadiums and venues then with the supplementary development going in there - Granted, the stadiums are the incentive to put more stuff there (look at the AWC's initial lowball proposal for only a few apartments), buts its the extras that do go in that will determine economic success
     
  3. Falc

    Falc Member+

    Jul 29, 2006
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Sundevil - I know the area well. Use to work in that area and I am there every Sunday for church. There is more development going on on Mass Ave and H St. The new convention center just went up a couple of years ago (speaking of which, it would be nice to have the SSS built at the old convention center but that would be much too expensive). Building the MCI Center did a lot for that area and spurred growth. And I acknowledge the same will happen on South Capitol Street with the new ball park. I just don't think the impact will be the same for the reasons I stated. The development around MCI improved and extended the downtown area. The development proposed for the baseball park will improve that area but it will still be isolated from the center of DC. If I was to have a restauarant or other retail business in the new ball park, I better not think my business plan will generate the same numbers as the Phone Booth area. I was in the area two Saturdays ago meeting with a friend and had trouble finding a parking place at 11:00 in the morning. There was some equestrian event at the Phone Booth but that was not the reason the area was busy. There are so many activities in the downtown area that attract people other than an event in the arena. I don't see those numbers getting generated in SE.
     
  4. Dan in DC

    Dan in DC New Member

    Jun 4, 2006
    Singin' in La BB
    I know that you were responding to the 2007 groundbreaking post, but I note that all potential locations in the city have challenges.

    As for what DCU understands, I don't know how they could mollify your skepticism. It's a rhetorical throw-away.
     
  5. Dan in DC

    Dan in DC New Member

    Jun 4, 2006
    Singin' in La BB
    Don't think this has been posted yet. Mostly a restatement of positions.

    http://www.examiner.com/a-392628~Soccer_stadium_conflict_renewed_over_parkland.html

     
  6. TMDSoccer

    TMDSoccer New Member

    Dec 25, 2005
    Severna Park, MD
    Stan Kasten, in his chat, referenced the soccer stadium at Poplar Point in his National's chat:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/10/26/DI2006102600582.html

    Arlington, Va.: Mr. Kasten --

    Thanks so much for taking the time out to answer questions. First I'd like to know what will be the fate of RFK after the move in 2008. Secondly, how have you an your family enjoyed the transition to life in D.C.?

    Stan Kasten: Thanks for asking. RFK will continue to be used for DC United for at least the next couple of years, until they move into their new stadium , across the Anacostia from ours.
     
  7. TMDSoccer

    TMDSoccer New Member

    Dec 25, 2005
    Severna Park, MD
    Fully agree that all city locations have challenges, not the least of which is money. Poplar Point just has a lot more than that. But it's not unique to DC, and that's why we're seeing SSS's in outer suburb locations.

    As for the rhetorical throwaway, DCU was active in the community promoting the stadium a year ago. They stopped cold and haven't done anything since, although they have won over other top politicians, like Fenty. As a business owner in this part of town, I can tell you that this is not going to be a hit if there's not a lot of hand-holding and explanation as to what's going on, who's doing it, etc. There is deep skepticism about any type of economic development proposals. A lot of people in the community view this area as their chance to help not only the blighted areas of Southeast but increase exposure to the great historic Anacostia and the role this part of town has played in the city's history.

    So to mollify my concerns, and I think those of a lot of people who live and work in the area, DCU's owners/managers need to get specific and not just present a "done deal" plan, it won't go over well.
     
  8. asitis

    asitis Member+

    Mar 30, 2005
    Charlottesville
    Man, this discussion is fascinating, especially for someone who lives well outside of DC.:rolleyes: It's sorta like watching a baseball game. You guys just have too much information.

    As I understand it, Congress returns today for their Quack Session. Does anyone know if (and when) the Senate will publish an agenda for this session? I'm really hopeful that the Land Swap Bill will be passed sooner than later. With the anticipated announcement of new ownership for DC immanent, some real momentum for the stadium could develop.

    asitis
    4/11...5/12
     
  9. b1968k

    b1968k New Member

    Aug 4, 2002
    Logan Circle, DC
    There were unconfirmed rumors of a hold on the bill, and further rumors that the hold was a mistake and would be taken care of before they came back into session.
     
  10. skippy

    skippy Member

    Nov 17, 1999
    Alexandria, Virginia
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    An impressive patronizing tone gets your point across all the better. :rolleyes:

    I'm sure the DCU front office is quite thankful for your confidence and your concern. It's great that you've built so many multi purpose stadiums on federally owned land so that you can teach them how to do it. They have a few hints for you on how to run your business, too.
     
  11. joshdcu

    joshdcu New Member

    Jun 29, 1999
    Washington, DC
    Hmmm... I hope that they're also still considering building some housing at the site. I think that some sort of mixed use development would be a really good thing. I might even look into a condo there myself...
     
  12. fatbastard

    fatbastard Member+

    Aug 1, 2003
    Lincoln (ish), Va
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Maybe they stopped woo-ing the (few) businesses down there, but they're still acticve with kids playing soccer there, which is a better investment in my mind for them. They aren't rich enough to do anything to impress business owners (and the city can just tell them to shut up and move anyway;)) - but they can be nice enough to the local kids which hopefully helps with community support.

    It's always nice to come back in here after a few days away and see a few more pages of baseless skepticism and doom-and-gloom :)
     
  13. Foousic

    Foousic New Member

    Dec 23, 2002
    Washington/Richmond
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    HEEYY, That's what it's all about man! wooo OFFSEASON!!.... ughh yeah this sucks
     
  14. Winoman

    Winoman Drinkin' Wine Spo-De-O-De!

    Jul 26, 2000
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I just happened to see this when I signed on to the internet:

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15739071/

    IF it were to happen, I hope we wouldn't have to relocate until our new stadium is completed.
     
  15. JoeSoccerFan

    JoeSoccerFan Member+

    Aug 11, 2000
    delusional politician catering to get some media attention....keep moving....nothing to see here.
     
  16. Bootsy Collins

    Bootsy Collins Player of the Year

    Oct 18, 2004
    Capitol Hill
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The chances of this happening any time soon are about that of a celluloid dog chasing an asbestos cat through hell.
     
  17. PJohnson

    PJohnson Member+

    DC United
    Dec 16, 2004
    South Dakota
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What a brilliant idea. :rolleyes: Move the Redskins back to the RFK site and demo FedEx Field just because it's inconvienient for the fans? Doesn't matter that this 90,000 seat stadium is less than 10 years old and regularly SOLD OUT.
     
  18. nobletea

    nobletea Moderator
    Staff Member

    Sep 29, 2004
    HarCo
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This a good example of why local news outlets are generally amatuer in their approach to what is "news".

    This was reported a while ago, months ago, maybe more.

    I ranted then. I won't now. I'll just leave it at if the Redskins were to leave JKC in the next 5-15 years it would make me want to vomit all over the faces of many imbeciles in positions of authority. Disgraceful.

    But I'm not too worried about it happening either.
     
  19. Foousic

    Foousic New Member

    Dec 23, 2002
    Washington/Richmond
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah I thought this story was done a month ago when it was said this guy couldn't even get a meeting with Snyder. I mean this guy really has his head in the clouds doesn't he? I'm really amazed he actually was able to speak to Snyder about this. In the end they would never do it, it just couldn't be a financially sound move for the team or the city, but hey on that note I can think of another stadium deal that would be very financially sound for the city.... what team was that again... hhmmm.... they wanted to build their place at poplar somthing.... ahhh.... ohh yeah and wasn't it all privatly funded too.... hhmmm, well it'll come to me later.:confused:
     
  20. GoDC

    GoDC Member

    Nov 23, 1999
    Hamilton, VA
    While this story may be nothing, anyone who doesn't think that it kills Snyder to inhabit a stadium built by JKC and that Snyder would love nothing more than to build a monument to himself and attract the Super Bowl has not been paying attention.
     
  21. SgtSchultz

    SgtSchultz Member

    Jul 11, 2001
    Parts Unknown
    By the time Snyder gets done with the Redskins, there wont be a reason to play at FEDEX Field. Snyder has royally screwed the Redskins. This is a franchise on the cusp of salary cap hell. Not only that the Redskins are an aging team with an owner who is more concerned with sqeezing every last dime from a growing disillusioned fanbase.

    I used to love the Redskins. Now I hope the team loses everytime it plays. There is only one way for this misery to end and that is for Snyder to sell the team.
     
  22. Falc

    Falc Member+

    Jul 29, 2006
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Add the fact that the Redskins have been the most profitable team in the NFL, it may not make financial sense but it is not as if it is not financially possible for the Danny. And FedEx is not some great stadium that people love to attend for many reasons. The Redskins sell out because they are the Redskins and this town loves them, regardless of how poorly they play. But if he could build a stadium with a dome and bring back that nostalgic feeling of RFK plus bring the Super Bowl to DC, not an impossibility.

    So the question is can we make FedEx the SSS for DC United? :rolleyes:
     
  23. Sandon Mibut

    Sandon Mibut Member+

    Feb 13, 2001
    I blame this mess on Sharon Kelly's ass.
     
  24. monster

    monster Member

    Oct 19, 1999
    Hanover, PA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, you need a better quarterback, a better line, more consistent defensive play, an offense predicated on success and not the number of pages in the playbook.

    The stadium isn't the thing, Dan. The people running the show are. But, as a Ravens fan, if you're more concerned about the building than the players, knock yourself out. The comedy is a gift from heaven.
     
  25. K

    K BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 16, 1999
    DC, Fake America
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, the nerve of the woman not wanting Jack Kent Cook to pat it.

    Maybe if John Wilson had hung around (oh wait...)

    K
     

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