D.C. government is considering building a new soccer stadium for D.C. United, and on July 25, business leaders and government officials proposed to build a 20,000-seat soccer stadium at Buzzard Point in Southwest, D.C. Council members are weighing the project, which might bring new jobs and development to an underutilized section of the city.
At-large councilwoman Anita Bonds said in a release that she wants to hear from residents on the cost and feasibility of the plan and on the impact that the development for waterways and environment, its effect on the construction of the upcoming Frederick Douglass Bridge replacement, the transfer of the Reeves Center as well as ramifications on the Southwest and Southeast neighborhoods. Since the first Major League Soccer season in 1996, United has played its home games at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, a half-century-old football stadium with deteriorating infrastructure and outdated amenities. Meanwhile, United have seen its rival clubs build soccer-specific venues of their own as the league has grown. The new stadium would potentially open in 2016.
- Jordan Wright