Rendering by Populous
Mayor Muriel Bowser led a ceremonial demolition in April that marked the first tangible stage of preparation for the building of a new soccer stadium in Buzzard Point. And this weekend, the city will officially give D.C. United the property, according to The Washington Post.
The handover comes after years of dealmaking that had the team’s existence in the city on the line.
Under the original terms, D.C. would have relinquished ownership of the Reeves Center, the municipal complex at 14th and U Streets NW, in exchange for the land that developer Akridge owns at the stadium site. After opposition to the deal in its original form seemed likely, Bowser re-shaped it, eliminating that particular land swap while keeping others. The D.C. Council gave final approval in December of 2014 and the city filed to seize the remaining land under eminent domain the following October.
At the spring ceremony, Bowser touted the economic benefits that she says the $300 million stadium will bring to the District. “Buzzard Point’s future is bright, and this soccer stadium will make it that much brighter,” she declared. “Today’s demolition represents the first step toward revitalizing an overlooked area of the District that will spur economic activity on the banks of the Anacostia, hire residents for good paying jobs, and give more Washingtonians a fair shot.”
The team released renderings of the 19,000-seat stadium in January and August. Architecture firm Populous has designed a partial roof to allow for yearlong activity, among other elements.
The cost of the venue will be split between D.C. and the team. D.C. United signed a $150 million contract in July with Turner Construction.
Officials are hoping to break ground in January or February, according to The Post. And the team is scheduled to play its final game at RFK Stadium next fall, and settle in at Buzzard Point in June 2018—three months into the season.
When it does open, the main entrance will be at the northeast corner of the site, which will have 18 gates. “The view from Potomac Avenue will be directly into the Stadium and the field since no structure will be in this line of site and the field will be near ground level,” according to the zoning application. “The ability to see onto the field from outside the Stadium will be one of its most unique and street-activating features virtually unknown in other professional sports stadia.
