Here's the latest from WTOP: http://stage-www.wtop.com/?sid=543276&nid=25 Does mention Poplar Point in the article.
Leaving soccer aside (like I could ever do that!), that's a damn good trade for the District of Columbia. That's almost Lassiter-for-Wegerle-esque! as a Federal taxpayer living outside of DC proper, I should be upset at this fleecing but since I'm a fan of United who wants to see them get their stadium, I don't care where the land comes from and I'm more than happy to see the Feds sacrifice a little land for the good of the cause.
Fleecing? Try charging the Federal government property tax. The Feds have been talking for some time about transfering the land to the city for development (which would actually benefit the city and lessen our dependance on the annual payment from the Feds). This is definitely good for the city and for United.
I can't wait for the moment the ceremonial shovel hits the ground. I might even take the day off for the occasion.
FYP OK this makes like 3 threads on the land deal.... where's the Nazi mods when ya need em.... or not!
At first glance, I thought the title of this thread was "Land Swamp" and the article was going to be about how hot and humid DC is right now.
I know we avoid poly-tics 'round heyah, but likely the first thing the Bushies have done in ages that I have liked.
Today's Washington Post has the land swap story but in discussing the plans for Poplar Point it never mentions our expected SSS. What are we to make of this omission?
Hmm...I wonder how the AEG owned Examiner was able to connect the dots on what this transfer meant for AEG owned United.
From the Examiner: "It would be part of a mixed-use development that would also include retail establishments and recreation fields." Perhaps I should have been following this a little closer, but does anyone know how many recreation fields are envisioned? One of the frustrating things about Crew Stadium is that it was just plopped into the middle of a vast parking lot often filled with horse trailers. The model of Pizza Hut Park with all the accompanying fields would be a much better one to follow (DUH!). If memory serves me their footprint is somewhere in the 100 acre region and includes over a dozen fields. I always thought it was incredibly shortsighted for the Hunt Group to choose that Fairgrounds parcel to create an almost instant white elephant in Columbus. It seems they learned that lesson and then some with their new venture in the Dallas burbs. The question is, can the District/AEG/new owners take note? Now I realize that the District planners probably have their hearts set on something else for much of this acreage and perhaps we should be just content with a new stadium... but, it would be nice if they looked at a more soccer-intensive big picture. I was thinking of how Arlington County has approached their own North Tract development project - a much smaller opportunity to create a useful recreational complex It would be fantastic if the Poplar Point redevelopment, aided by whatever additional acreage the Feds are providing (and I am unclear from these newspaper stories exactly how much land we are dealing with surrounding the proposed stadium) included as many fields as possible. The more fields that can be placed there, the better. Perhaps it is just a pipe dream (not the Marion Barry version), but it would be great to be able to host tournaments in the Nation's Capital. Hell, just look at the boon for the Virginia Beach area with just one tournament . Build it and they will come. KGDG Come on United (States and DC)
Not to mention, the additional fields, especially when hosting tournaments, create more actual "daily revenue" than a stadium probably will
that's exactly what I thought when I read the piece. if the new United stadium is indeed going to be the Major Cultural institution, this is some wonderful news.
Sad, but true. Even the folks in KC see the light "In May 2002, a task force appointed by former Gov. Bill Graves concluded that a complex including a soccer-only stadium and 20 championship youth fields was feasible and desirable for Johnson County. HOK Sport + Venue + Event consultants told the task force the complex would cost $45.7 million, more if its 166-acre site was not donated. Consultants with Conventions, Sports and Leisure found that the project would add $30 million in direct spending to the local economy, plus an additional $20 million from an estimated 1,030 new jobs." However, the possible synergy for a Poplar Point gameday experience would be tremendous as well. The ankle biters can spend the whole morning and afternoon on the fields and then spend the evening watching their heroes in MLS. And if there is no home game that evening, they could just go to an AEG concert