Do DC chances of a stadium improve with this?

thats something that i have been thinking about for quite some time. it is obvious that some changes have to be made by the people who are running the show here (when it comes to baseball and soccer), because obviously the formula isn't working. however, this IS DC we are talking about here. there is so much red tape with every decision that i am actually beginning to fear the worst.

 

Is the general line of thought that Baseball coming to DC (and RFK, at least initially) would improve the chances of DC United building a stadium?

 

You have to believe that no matter what we are priority 9034234 for the DCSEC. I say go ahead with plans to build one in a surrounding suburb and tell those bastards to go and fvck themselves.

 

Is there no place within the district to build a SSS? I just think it would be such a shame to have it in MD or VA. Wouldn't it be soooo nice if the SSS could be built with view of the capitol, or washinton monument, or some other landmark. From what I remember of DC, I guess there really is no place to do this. I guess I could live with it being in VA, if it was right across the river, like in Arlington or something, with a view of the city.

 

It's not a matter of place. It's the DC government, and their lack of motivation/desire to change from the status quo.

 

I wish they'd spend about $30 million and renovate RFK instead of spending $30 million to build a smaller SSS with seats that don't bounce.

 

Is the main problem with refurbishing RFK that baseball always looms as a threat to 'take over' the stadium, leaving United as an afterthought? Because the stadium itself, and it's location, make it one of the best in the league.

Besides, baseball had no business in DC; that's why God made Baltimore.

 

How much does it cost to renovate a stadium? My thought here is that $30 million might not do a whole lot to improve RFK.

 

The advantage to RFK is that baseball will never put up with playing there for more than one or two years in the interim (granted a crappy two years for DC United to have the pitch screwed up). The bigger long term problem is whether they view the RFK site as the ideal place for a complete rebuild baseball (or football) stadium. I say it's the ideal place for the next generation national stadium - for soccer.

 

ACtually, I thought stadiums were cheaper. The Home Depot Center cost $130 million.

Spend that on fixing up RFK and you'd work wonders.

 

I think that generally, the decision by baseball to put the Expos in holding pattern again just delays the stadium. Why? B/c the DCSA doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize the possibility of baseball coming here. To tear up the parking lot (and reduce the number of fans) is something they won't sign off on until they know baseball is NOT coming or until the dates are finalized. That's also why DCU can't ever get more than a 1 year lease from these idiots--they don't want DCU to be able to dictate baseball schedules or veto acquisition of a team.

That said, the departure of Fred Malek and Bobbie Goldwater does upset the SQ. No telling what impact their replacements will have.

Personally though, I think Baseball's commissioner and the Orioles owner are the two biggest roadblocks to baseball coming here. DCU will eventually move forward--but I think we're behind Metros (in terms of AEG's focus on SSS--which is understandable--build one at a time, not 3 concurrently).

 

Not to nitpick [even though you are a Metro ], but the Senators were around looong before the Orioles...just not long after.

Baseball would almost certainly move into RFK and leave United holding the bag, without so much as a "thanks for keeping the place moderately filled for a while"...at least until a new Sens team gets a sparkling downtown stadium, leaving us with a dusty pitch and a nice mound of dirt in midfield. Personally, I love RFK's city location, even though it is on the cusp of Sowfeeeess. I hate suburban stadiums; teams represent cities, not their bedroom adjuncts.

 

Not correct. Each team has had two iterations. The old Orioles date back to the 1800s, and are now known as the New York Yankees. The current Orioles moved from St Louis in 1954.

The Old Senators aren't as old as the old Orioles, (established in 1901)and are now the Minnesota Twins. (since 1960) The second coming of the Senators (1961-1971) was long after the current Orioles moved to Baltimore, and they are now known as the Texas Rangers.

 

To clarify a little bit further, there have been 3 versions of the Orioles. The O-riginal National League team [moved to New York and the American League as the Highlanders, which would eventually become the Yankees. There was an Orioles team playing in the International League from 1919-1925. Finally, the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore in 1954.

Read more about it here.

 

Amen, hon

 

I agree - And unfortunately that means DC United will have to stay at RFK with a series of bad contracts for several more years -

Too bad - Its an ideal site for any stadium - But RFK is too old and crusty for new-age baseball stadiums and way too big for a regular season SSS

The ideal solution would be to take advantage of baseball's delay and move quickly to build a SSS ready for 2005 - Which would mean RFK and its parking lot would also be available for Baseball - If baseball decides to move to DC and they need an interim stadium while a new one is built wherever

But if baseball ever returns to RFK, then thats the end of it for soccer - Sorry - The turf is way too sandy and unsteady enough as it is - Let alone putting turf over a baseball infield for a few games - So that means big games move to the Redskins stadium -

Then who would want the big soccer games more? - DCSA or Dan Snyder? - Or maybe it should be re-phrased as "Who wound want them less?"