As much as I like RFK, DC needs a new stadium for many reasons. 1. Good financial deal instead of what has to be paid at RFK. 2. Customized specifically for soccer. 3. DCU can control everything at the new venue. I'm not very good at compiling a list of reasons but I think that a new stadium should be a priority, even though it is unlikely to happen soon. If you agree, what things would be a necessity (sp?) at the new stadium? 1. I think that the majority of people on here want bouncing stands. What else? - Perhaps a cover over some of the stands - a huge DCU store! - a giant restaraunt (i think Galaxy's new stadium has one) - all new security!!!! (I've never experienced problems with them the two times I've been to RFK, but with all the stories I've heard on here, I think it should be on the agenda) - DC United painted white into the seats really big, all other seats are black, this is done in a lot of English stadiums. - a long and wide field, 75 yards wide, 115 yards long, not that RFK is too small or anything. - seats close to the field but still enough room for players to comfortably take corner kicks - a future expansion plan is in store for when it is needed, and the stadium is designed to leave room for future expansion. - a current capacity of about 24,000. - and finally a huge room with a trophy case to hold all our championships. It will also be the DCU hall of fame, and the great players of past teams get their name on a giant plaque and placed on the wall. There is also a monitor that shows past goals and tells the history of DCU for the new fans. My DC fantasy stadium. What would yours include? (BTW, has anyone heard any news as to how close or far away we are from finding a spot for it or working out a deal or getting it approved, etc.?)
I think all that needs to be done is, since the upper deck is going to be closed, it should be covered with black tarp, with our stripe and logo in the center on both sides of the field. Management should work on rebranding the stadium "The Black Hole" - since we wear black and well, the stadium is a hole I like RFK, but financially, we are in a bad position. The Authority did the same thing to the Skins - and now they are playing in worse conditions as far as fan participation.
as much as i know dcu needs a new stadium for revenue reasons, i'm really going to be sad to give up my front-row mezz seats.... protected from the rain, incredible view of the pitch, nice vantage to see all the fights below me... of course its a quarter-mile hike to get a beer... i still think RFK is by far the best soccer stadium in the country... it would be a shame to lose it.
Since we're playing fantasy here... Why not just renovate RFK? Rip off the uppder deck, complete the bowl around where the temporary bleachers are and put a new roof (w/ some luxury suites pretty much where they are) over more of the seats and renovate the concourse. I'm sure it would cost a fortune though. I guess we could get new black seats w/ white lettering ;-) I actually like RFK.
BBarie, In my stadium you could have a just a small portion of those mezz seats, perhaps they could be associated w/ my luxury suites. ;-)
mabey I dont understand you correctly, but paint the word "white" into the seats? I wouldnt mind words painted into the seats, but I think "UNITED" written i white, while all other reads are red, would work a little better? any opinions?
RFK exists, new stadium doesn't. BTW, renovating RFK would be more expensive than building a new stadium, IIRC. Sachin
Why have seats at all? A terrace for all standing fans would do it. Guinness on tap would be a nice touch too.
Unless we're purely dreaming here, the Stadium Armory people would never embrace a plan that would jeopardize their sacred dream of bringing baseball back to DC (like THAT will ever happen as long as Peter Angelos lives!). For the Stadium Armory authorities, soccer is just a distraction until something better comes along... That's another reason why a soccer-specific stadium is such attractive option.
Well.. we'd have to say goodbye to most international matches. Aren't they required to be in all-seaters now? Sachin
There are some stadia in Germany that have terraces that are reversible - that is, they literally spin around (kind of like Austin Powers' bar/library) and the terracing disappears and seats pop up from beneath. The coolest part about that deal is that, by necessity, the seats are not on concrete, and should therefore be bouncy. I don't know which teams have these seats, but I read about it a couple of years ago when some English FA reps went to investigate "safe" terracing alternatives, to see if they could bring standing sections back to the Premiership.
Reversable terraces ring a bell, i thought that they were deamed insane, due to an incident involving 30 fans jumping and breaking it...
Just curious...who else uses RFK? (i only know of men's and women's soccer utilizing the place) If DC gets another "home", then isn't RFK situation much like that of Wembley??? We all know what a quagmire the FA has gotten itself into on that matter!?!?!?
During the summer, there may be a small hanfull of concerts (including the God-awful HFS-tival, which guarantees a horrible pitch for the next home game), sometimes there are small-time college/high school football games.
Shalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund have them and they DEFINATELY add to the atmosphere. Dortmund's North End resembles Anfield on some days. Plus, I know both have hosted international matches. I think terracing is a must if we have a new stadium. Unfortunately for the sideline supporters the terraces would probly be behind the goal.
The problem with a new stadium is that unless P.A. finances the whole thing, we'll still be stuck with the same Stadium Authority issues we have now. If you look at the DC City Paper article (in another thread) you'll see that the Skins had the same sh¡tty deal that we have for RFK. Further, they were not offered better terms for concessions and parking by the S.A., so a fed up JKC decided to build JKC Stadium in Landover (Raljon). He made a comment to the effect "They're doing everything in their power to drive the Skins out of DC" Lets face it, the City govt hasn't wised up much in the last 7 yrs. They will probably still dictate the same crappy terms to DCU even with a new stadium, unless somehow P.A. buys the land and develops the stadium himself.
Restaurant? Why not have a pub like they do in LA. DC would get revenue for both home AND away matches. Bouncing stands? No. The club wouldn't bother with that security liability.
FYI on the terraces. I attended the Ireland vs Denmark pre-world cup friendly last March and stood in the terraces -- they must be OK.