I came across this article, from the University of Maryland Diamondback, while browsing the MLS: News & Analysis board... http://www.inform.umd.edu/News/Diamondback/archives/2003/06/12/news6.html From the article, it looks like College Park isn't a potential Maryland site for a new stadium.
Oops. "We've been trying to get it done with the D.C. Sports [& Entertainment] Commission," said Kevin Payne, managing director for Anschutz Entertainment Group - a German-based company that owns the D.C. United and several other sports franchises. Payne said that since no agreement has been reached, "the only prudent thing to do is see if there are possibilities in other jurisdictions."
You mean this isn't them: http://jga.anschuetz-sport.com/ ???? But it's the first thing that came up in my Google search.....
Maybe Payne just made his statements to the Post to create some leverage with the city and get the ball rolling so that they aren't held in limbo by MLB and the Expos - ya know, like the folks waiting for baseball to come to the area are. The Diamondback story certainly makes it sound like there wasn't much substance to his comments, unless he's looking at Montgomery County, which would be pricey, or further out, which would be a mistake.
Here's the thing: The whole premise of the article is pretty much to discredit the Post piece that Goff wrote a few weeks ago. (Actually, two weeks ago---way to be on top of the news, boys). Doug Hicks even says they met in College Park for convenience and that they were looking at a few sites in Maryland. Key words in the Post story: "near College Park" On top of the Anschutz thing. Eeeesh. Fabulous collegiate journalism in action, ladies and gentlemen.
Well, it is tough to write while you're hung over, and trying to start a riot, or burn something down.
Ok, no argument on the quality of collegiate journalism, but, based on the Post article, a lot of people here were speculating as to where a stadium could be built in College Park. Now, two weeks later, we know it's not going to be built there (well, according to the Diamondback, that is...). Payne calling all of PG County "near College Park" is a bit of a stretch. I wonder where in PG they're actually looking, or if DC United is actually looking there at all...
here here, could be a prime component of downtown revitalization. And a 25K seat stadium would be of reasonable size.
I'd still much rather have a new stadium in DC, but Downtown Silver Spring would top my list if it had to be in MD.
Which is already underway with Discovery Networks now finished, The American Film Institute on Colesville Road, and more mixed-use development on its way. Metro accessible. MARC accessible. etc. etc. If you must go suburban MD, it's the best bet.
I have lived near to Silver Spring now for a little while and ever since moving in I've been racking my little brain trying to figure out where there is enough unclaimed land to build a stadium. Your guess is better than mine. Without razing three dozen auto repair centers or the big mall, I don't see much metro accessible land that is available. Cheers, Tim
I think both places in MD would work well. The revitalization of Silver Spring could use a stadium, like the Harbor Area used Camden Yards. Or College Park could use a Saturday-night attraction to bring people in during the Summer.