The last of the 3,500 pieces of structural steel was secured to the very top of Washington Nationals’ new ballpark Wednesday, “topping off” the stadium in a milestone moment for the massive project.
Some 700 construction workers joined D.C. and team leaders to herald the critical event, which brings to an end construction of the stadium’s exoskeleton.
What’s left, other than the outer walls and garages, are the guts of the facility: the sod, the scoreboard, the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection systems, the lights and the seats.
The $611 million, 41,000-seat stadium is on time to welcome its first fans on Opening Day 2008.
“It represents great civic pride in having the Nationals here and having them for a long time,” said Mayor Adrian Fenty. “And it represents that when the District of Columbia says that we’re going to do something, we’ll make sure it gets done on time and on budget.”
As a council member, Fenty voted against public financing for the stadium.
The deal could have been structured better, he said Wednesday, but “this is the right project at the right place.” Ward 2 Council Member Jack Evans called the day “historic.”
While the ballpark is steaming forward, the Nationals are struggling on the field. Team President Stan Kasten pledged progress, though building a championship stadium and turning around a losing ball club are “both massive endeavors.”
“They’re different,” he said, “although I think we have many, more great stadiums than we have great teams, so let’s say building a great team might be a touch more difficult.”
Although the stadium is expected to open on time, its ultimate cost remains a question.
A recent analysis by the D.C. Auditor found that legal matters, land acquisition, environmental remediation, parking garage construction and hazardous material abatement could easily push the stadium’s cost higher than $611 million, if it hasn’t already.
Gregory O’Dell, new CEO of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, said meeting the statutory cap “is going to require a lot of discipline,” but it will be done.
The Nationals’ new ballpark
» 41,000 seats
» 78 suites
» Outfield restaurant and bar
» Conference center
» 1,100 bathroom fixtures
» 10,000-square-foot kids training area
