D.C. United’s threat to leave the nation’s capital for Prince George’s County may just be another bargaining chip in its ongoing tug-of-war with District leaders, but the prospect of playing in a new park tantalizes at least one team member.
“It’s exciting to know that we might not have to be coming to RFK in a few years,” United defender Marc Burch told The Examiner on Friday. “It’s down the road, though. It’s not like it’ll be up halfway through the season. It’s exciting to have some sort of progress. At least someone respects us enough to give us a stadium.”
The Internet was abuzz Friday with reaction to the possible loss of D.C. United to Maryland. The responses ran the gamut.
“Disappointing to see DC United looking at the suburbs,” wrote Alex B. on the blog greatergreaterwashington.com. “That’s far from a done deal, but it’s just not the greatest location for a stadium. Poplar Point would have been and still could be a great location, as well as a local development catalyst and attraction to get people into that area.”
On the same blog, commenter SG of the District wrote: “We do not have the luxury of financing $225 million with public money when our economy is nose-diving. It wouldn’t be responsible. Wait a few years until we’re running surpluses again, then do it.”
Legislation submitted by Del. Melony Griffith, a Prince George’s County Democrat, authorizes the Maryland Stadium Authority to develop and construct the “Prince George’s County Soccer Stadium.” It authorizes the authority to acquire a site, one likely adjacent to a Metrorail station, and to issue bonds to pay for the project.
United owner Victor MacFarlane, a real estate investor, has offered to cover 25 percent of a roughly $180 million, 24,000-seat stadium. Tax revenues generated by the project would fill the gap. The team is reportedly moving to quickly close the deal.
United, county and state officials, including MacFarlane and County Executive Jack Johnson, will provide additional details during a news conference scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at Prince George’s Community College.
The Maryland move comes two weeks after D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration and Clark Realty Capital LLC, the chosen master developer for the 110-acre Poplar Point mixed-use project, parted ways — sending that endeavor backward.
United had long sought to build a stadium at Poplar Point on the east bank of the Anacostia River — as part of a larger development — and occasionally intimated a move to Maryland if the District didn’t come through with some sort of contribution. But Fenty never appeared enamored with the soccer idea, especially if it meant a significant taxpayer contribution.
Fenty has refused to comment on the latest development in the United saga.
Examiner Staff Writer Craig Stouffer contributed to this article.
