(Populous/DC United)

The proposed D.C. United stadium would be the most expensive built in Major League Soccer history, and one that D.C. would overpay for by at least $25 million, an analysis commissioned by the D.C. Council found.

But the report states that a stadium at Buzzard Point is projected to have long-term benefits for the city — an estimated $109.4 million in tax revenue and jobs over the next 31 years — points emphasized by Gray administration officials at a Council roundtable.

The deal involves swapping the city’s Reeves Center at 14th and U streets NW with developer Akridge for land to build on, with D.C. putting up about $150 million in land acquisition and infrastructure. The negotiated price for the Reeves Center is $55.585 million, but the report puts the market value at $66.8 million. The report — compiled by Conventions, Sports and Leisure International, Integra Realty Resources, and the Robert Bobb Group — also found that the city would overpay for parcels of land from Pepco, Super Salvage and Mark Ein to the tune of $19.4 million.

There was a possibility that the city would exercise eminent domain over two parcels of land, one owned by Super Salvage and the other by Ein. City Administrator Allen Lew told the Council the prices for the Buzzard Point parcels are higher than they could be, saying the analysis was “not necessarily incorrect,” but are at that level so an agreement could be made and a legal battle avoided.

Council Chair Phil Mendelson faulted Lew for, in his opinion, not taking criticisms about the discrepancies in the analysis seriously enough.

An official from the city’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer also expressed concerns, saying tax abatements to United are not necessary.

“We both agree the team loses money,” John Ross said. “There’s no question about that.”

The report in PDF form can be seen here.