Ignoring vehement objections from the Washington Nationals new owners, the D.C. Council on Tuesday approved a proposed mixed-use development and parking garages slated for the Southeast stadium property.
In its unanimous support of developer Herb Miller’s project, to be built on two city-owned parcels adjacent to the ballpark’s north end, the council sent a message, members said: Major League Baseball has long had the city over a barrel, but not in this case.
“It’s the first time the council has stood up and said, ‘This is ours,’ ” said Ward 5 Council Member Vincent Orange. “These are our development rights.”
The resolution authorizes Mayor Anthony Williams, who strongly backed the project, to sell the land to Miller’s Western Development Corp. Miller has proposed a development of nearly 700 condominium units and a 180-room boutique hotel, wrapped around two above- and below-ground parking garages with a combined 1,825 spaces.
The 925 spaces above ground would be ballpark-dedicated. Under the city’s agreement with MLB, the parking must be ready by Opening Day 2008.
The project is expected to generate up to $8 million in annual tax revenue.
Nationals owner Ted Lerner sought stand-alone parking garages, which could be built faster and cheaper, but would produce little revenue for the city.
“I hope the message is that we must take the long view and be responsible with the property we own,” said Ward 6 Council Member Sharon Ambrose. “Our obligation is to get the best use of this property we can for the District of Columbia now and in the future.”
As of late last week, Miller had yet to lock up financing for the $281 million project. District Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi told a council committee Thursday that he could not support the plan because so many financial and legal hurdles stand in the way.
Gandhi also said construction must start by Labor Day if the project is to be finished on time.
“Our concerns are where they were on Thursday,” Maryann Young, Gandhi’s spokeswoman, said Tuesday.
Nationals President Stan Kasten on Friday slammed the Miller plan as “speculative development,” with no guarantees “regarding the impact on the timing and cost of the ballpark.”
