DCU to move to Maryland?

[MG42]

from SBI

The long and torturous quest to land a soccer-specific stadium in the Washington D.C. area has hit a brick wall and has left D.C. United with no choice but to look elsewhere for a future home. As a result, D.C. United could soon become Maryland United. Not in name, but certainly in location.
The Washington Post reported today that D.C. United is committed to moving the club to Prince Georges County, Maryland in order to help United land a 24,000 "Urban Soccer Stadium."
The declaration came just a day after MLS commissioner Don Garber had some stern words about the inability to land a stadium in the D.C. area. Garber stated rather emphatically that the process had "Gone on too long" and that the club needed to resolve its stadium issue soon.
It appears that resolution will take D.C. to Maryland, a move that might not go over well with all D.C. fans, and probably isn't going to make visiting fans very happy either.

READ MORE
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_b...-leave-dc.html

[AL-MO]

To bad they couldn't get anything done in DC.

Been there twice. Had a blast both times.

[EdTheRed]

There's really nothing much to say that hasn't been said 1,000 times over in the comments sections of various blog posts and articles at the Washington Post's website, or over in the DC and MLS forums at B*gSawker, but I'll sum it up for you guys (executive summary? it's all Montreal's fault ):

1) The team worked with the District for close to a decade to get something done.

2) Once they settled on the Poplar Point site, the team spent millions lobbying Congress to transfer the land to the District for a mixed-use development, anchored by a soccer stadium.

3) After the land transfer, the team worked out a deal with the District whereby the team's new owners, who are developers specializing in mixed-use urban infill projects, would pay for the stadium in exchange for the right to develop the rest of the property.

4) While this was happening, MLB decided to move the Expos, and in the process of "negotiating" with the District, decided to save money on Vaseline and just shove it to the District raw and hard. Voters were not amused. The Nationals didn't even bother paying rent their first year in the new stadium, claiming it wasn't usable, despite, well, using it. Voters were even less amused.

5) A new mayor took over and, along with the Council, took a "stand" against team owners looking for a "handout" and sank the Poplar Point deal, instead putting it out for competetive bidding.

6) The team owners decided not to bid on the project, but didn't rule out working with the District if the project included a stadium.

7) After a long bidding process, the winning bid included a soccer stadium.

8) Financial armageddon strikes.

9) The developer who submitted the winning bid pulls out of the project.

10) The team, at this point desperate for a new stadium in order to secure their long-term viability in the DC market, strikes a deal with PG County to work towards building a stadium as part of a mixed-use development near a Metro station. The likely sites are approximately seven miles away from RFK stadium.

11) The District is left with no development, no soccer team, and the upkeep costs for a big chunk of what used to be federal land. Yeah, that's my hometown for you.

12) Some United supporters from Virginia get their panties in a bunch because the new stadium will be sooooooooo much further away from them.

13) DC and MD residents mock said Virginia supporters, call them pussies, snobs, etc.

14) Most United supporters are saddened, but not surprised that the situation came to this, and just hope that the stadium does indeed end up near a Metro station, and that it doesn't look exactly like Toyota Park, or the Philly stadium, or Pizza Hut Park, or the Big Dick, or...you get the idea.

To sum up: MLB are a bunch of greedy bastards who ruined everything, people from VA and MD don't really like each other (to be fair, they *DID* fight a rather bloody war once), and most supporters are just looking for closure.

[nfitz]

While unfortunate, the proposed location seems to be next to the Morgan Boulevard Metro Station, which is only 4 stops (about 12-minutes) further east on the Blue line from RFK Stadium (which itself is a 10-minute walk to the Stadium-Amory Metro Station). Might not be a big difference if it's really close to the Metro - and still very accessible to anyone within DC.

You have to give Mayor Miller credit for siezing the opportunity when it came Toronto's way, rather than the kind of BS that has gone on in Washington and Vancouver.

[Hitcho]

Yeah I like our set up. Over time we can add in additional seats, making the stadium up to 25k or 30k, add a roof, put down grass and build a training facility somewhere close by (all of which will inevitably mean no pointy ball or other significant inhabitants to worry about). When you consider all of that in the location we've got, plus the absence of any kind of stadium debt for the club owing to the city's involvement, it's a pretty sweet deal.

[rocker]

well after seeing that history posted above I can't fault DC for looking elsewhere. Who knows, maybe someday when the stadium is too small and United support is massive, DC will beg them to come back. Already there's talk of luring the NFL team back... that NFL stadium sits nearby where this MLS stadium would sit.
As long as its on public transit (and not too far from the downtown) I guess that's the best they can do, right? It would actually be one of the closest stadiums to downtown in the league.

But I hate bullshit like this... always a compromise it seems. Thank god TFC didn't have to compromise on location.

[ginkster88]

I looooovvvveeeee BMO's location, would not change it for the world. Best location in the league, and we will see the best stadium in the league at the Ex within our lifetimes.

[nfitz]

I looooovvvveeeee BMO's location, would not change it for the world. Best location in the league, and we will see the best stadium in the league at the Ex within our lifetimes.

We might even see a subway station within walking distance in our lifetimes! But why am I complaining ... I'm walking distance to Danforth GO.

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

I looooovvvveeeee BMO's location, would not change it for the world. Best location in the league, and we will see the best stadium in the league at the Ex within our lifetimes.

without doubt....when they first dicussed the York Location i thought it was something that was too fa out of the way for me to invest in seasons tickets. BMO is the perfect spot which is why other teams want in there.

[James17930]

Prince George County? How urban is that?

[rocker]

We might even see a subway station within walking distance in our lifetimes! But why am I complaining ... I'm walking distance to Danforth GO.

ya..can't wait for that downtown relief line... with the "BMO Field" stop

[olegunnar]

We might even see a subway station within walking distance in our lifetimes! But why am I complaining ... I'm walking distance to Danforth GO.

How is that? The Danforth GO that is. I just moved to within a 15 minute walk of the Danforth GO...but have never been on a GO train before.
I'm thinking the GO might be better than streetcars

[Oblio2]

My in-laws live in Maryland...wicked

[boban]

You have to give Mayor Miller credit for siezing the opportunity when it came Toronto's way, rather than the kind of BS that has gone on in Washington and Vancouver.

Seems liek you have a short memory.
Our stadium deal was dancing around for a couple of years.
Started at the CNE, moved to Varsity, then to York, then to Donsview and then finally settling back at the CNE when all the pieces fell into place.
Toronto had its share of BS.

[Keystone FC]

I'm just glad that DCU is FINALLY getting a SSS. If there is one team that really deserves a stadium it's this club. Not sure of the location or what's around it but I'm sure the DCU supporters will make the trip to see their club.
The sad thing is...they are now in the same situation as the Red Bulls (who are shite). They'll play in a stadium that is not even in their own state/city/district that they represent.

[twistedchinaman]

At least they've got one. But for the love of all things that are sacred and holy, do NOT build it away from heavy (or even light) rail transit.

The reason why I have so far had no desire to go to Pizza Hut Park is because of its wanton inaccessibility. Home Depot Centre was a nightmare, and...well, dare I go on?

[koryo]

How is that? The Danforth GO that is. I just moved to within a 15 minute walk of the Danforth GO...but have never been on a GO train before.
I'm thinking the GO might be better than streetcars

There's a station at Danforth at Main.

[EdTheRed]

Prince George County? How urban is that?

The parts of the county that border DC are pretty damn urban. Total county population is over 825,000. The potential stadium locations are in a pretty highly developed area. It's nothing like Frisco, TX, that's for sure. Then again, it's nothing like BMO, either. Ah well, I seem to recall something about beggars and choosers and such.

It's definitely not an ideal location, but it's not a bad second choice, as long as they stick close to Metro. In the meantime, we'll enjoy our last years at RFK, which, though a bit of a dump, is *our* dump, so we love it...and it's a centrally located dump to boot.

[FluSH]

There's really nothing much to say that hasn't been said 1,000 times over in the comments sections of various blog posts and articles at the Washington Post's website, or over in the DC and MLS forums at B*gSawker, but I'll sum it up for you guys (executive summary? it's all Montreal's fault ):

1) The team worked with the District for close to a decade to get something done.

2) Once they settled on the Poplar Point site, the team spent millions lobbying Congress to transfer the land to the District for a mixed-use development, anchored by a soccer stadium.

3) After the land transfer, the team worked out a deal with the District whereby the team's new owners, who are developers specializing in mixed-use urban infill projects, would pay for the stadium in exchange for the right to develop the rest of the property.

4) While this was happening, MLB decided to move the Expos, and in the process of "negotiating" with the District, decided to save money on Vaseline and just shove it to the District raw and hard. Voters were not amused. The Nationals didn't even bother paying rent their first year in the new stadium, claiming it wasn't usable, despite, well, using it. Voters were even less amused.

5) A new mayor took over and, along with the Council, took a "stand" against team owners looking for a "handout" and sank the Poplar Point deal, instead putting it out for competetive bidding.

6) The team owners decided not to bid on the project, but didn't rule out working with the District if the project included a stadium.

7) After a long bidding process, the winning bid included a soccer stadium.

8) Financial armageddon strikes.

9) The developer who submitted the winning bid pulls out of the project.

10) The team, at this point desperate for a new stadium in order to secure their long-term viability in the DC market, strikes a deal with PG County to work towards building a stadium as part of a mixed-use development near a Metro station. The likely sites are approximately seven miles away from RFK stadium.

11) The District is left with no development, no soccer team, and the upkeep costs for a big chunk of what used to be federal land. Yeah, that's my hometown for you.

12) Some United supporters from Virginia get their panties in a bunch because the new stadium will be sooooooooo much further away from them.

13) DC and MD residents mock said Virginia supporters, call them pussies, snobs, etc.

14) Most United supporters are saddened, but not surprised that the situation came to this, and just hope that the stadium does indeed end up near a Metro station, and that it doesn't look exactly like Toyota Park, or the Philly stadium, or Pizza Hut Park, or the Big Dick, or...you get the idea.

To sum up: MLB are a bunch of greedy bastards who ruined everything, people from VA and MD don't really like each other (to be fair, they *DID* fight a rather bloody war once), and most supporters are just looking for closure.

wow thanks for the summary... I gotta say I'm sad to see DCU move.

[NF-FC]

It's too bad staying at RFK isn't viable. Even though the place is a dump, it's got a special aura about it.

[Cashcleaner]

Can someone please give me a good reason as to why DCU has to move out of RFK Stadium? What exactly is wrong with the park as it is? If there is an issue with the current facilites there, surely it would make more sense to renovate or upgrade the original stadium. How is RFK not soccer-specific? The Nationals don't play there anymore. The Redskins don't play there anymore. The only other use I can think of is NCAA soccer or gridiron.

Gah! These stupid deals drive me up the wall. I dont see anything wrong with RFK stadium as it is. Why go to the trouble and expense of building a new structure so far away from your primary fanbase when you have a perfectly good stadium right now.

[rocker]

DC United doesn't own RFK.. so they don't get the revenues they could get from an SSS they owned.
Garber is probably pissed cuz here's a team with great attendance but surely they aren't contributing as much $$$ to the league as they could because they don't control the revenue streams of RFK.

[Cashcleaner]

^ I said give me a good reason.

[rocker]

we need to get these freeloaders into SSS so TFC doesn't have to subsidize them

[Bloor West FC]

^ I said give me a good reason.

Security had warned us last year not to jump as the Deck we were in could collapse. That's good enough for me!

See YA RFK!

[James17930]

The parts of the county that border DC are pretty damn urban. Total county population is over 825,000. The potential stadium locations are in a pretty highly developed area. It's nothing like Frisco, TX, that's for sure. Then again, it's nothing like BMO, either. Ah well, I seem to recall something about beggars and choosers and such.

It's definitely not an ideal location, but it's not a bad second choice, as long as they stick close to Metro. In the meantime, we'll enjoy our last years at RFK, which, though a bit of a dump, is *our* dump, so we love it...and it's a centrally located dump to boot.

Sounds all right then. I agree -- if it's on a mass transit line, that's a huge plus.

[Keystone FC]

Security had warned us last year not to jump as the Deck we were in could collapse. That's good enough for me!

See YA RFK!

That's what I heard from a few DCU supporters at last years draft. The structure itself is in ruins and to even try to revitalize RFK is structurally impossible. It's just too far gone to try and revamp it. The thing to do is to have RFK torn down and build a new stadium on the old site. Meanwhile DCU could play at the Ravens stadium in Baltimore:


Or
The Redskins Stadium in Landover, MD:


or Navys' stadium in Annapolis, MD:

[Batman]

That Navy Stadium is great. That would do just fine. Annapolis is a cool place to visit too. I wonder why this wasn't an option.

[Cashcleaner]

Security had warned us last year not to jump as the deck we were in could collapse. That's good enough for me!

See YA RFK!

YIKES! DCU, get the fuck outta that death trap!

That Navy Stadium is great. That would do just fine. Annapolis is a cool place to visit too. I wonder why this wasn't an option.

The Howard Bisons play at William Greene Stadium and that's located pretty close to the heart of Washington. Sure, it only seats 10,000, but there is plenty of room to build around it. Playing at Annapolis would be cool, but I'm wondering how accessible it would be.

[stugautz]

FedEx field might be a bit large for DCU...I think it seats something like 92,000.