Yesterday D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams laid bare his opinion on what type of parking facility he’d like to see around the new stadium in Southeast:

“I strongly believe that it’s in the best long-term interest of the District to put these parking spaces underground, not above-ground as is frequently done in the suburbs,” said Mayor Williams. “It will serve the ballpark as well as the surrounding community for us to place this parking garage below ground so that we can build a productive mix of affordable housing, office, retail or residential development on top of the project. If we put the cars underground, as we do throughout most of the city, the District will reap more long-term benefits and millions of dollars in tax revenue.

The Nats’ new owner, Ted Lerner, would rather see the parking remain above-ground, both because he argues that it would be cheaper and because it would allow the stadium to be finished on time. With all due respect, Mr. Lerner, this really isn’t your choice to make.

The District’s political establishment all but tore itself apart debating the merits of paying for the stadium. But now that the city has promised to shell out $611 million and has undertaken the politically unpopular move of using its eminent domain powers to clear out reluctant land owners, Williams should remind Lerner who, ultimately, has the say here. And there shouldn’t be much of a debate on the merits of the parking issue, either. The stadium is being built along South Capitol Street in Southeast to serve as a catalyst for development in an otherwise blighted area, and it doesn’t take an urban development expert to know that above-ground parking would take away from the parks, homes, offices, restaurants, bars, and shops that will invariably take hold once the stadium is completed. Just look at RFK — the four-decade-old stadium is surrounding by acres of parking, making for an unsightly and development-resistant plot of land.

In the end, we’re paying for the stadium, not the Lerners. It is in the District’s best interest to ensure that the area that they razed actually produces the development they promised. The team can move; the city can’t. If the Nats ever pack their bags, it’d be nice not to be left with an empty stadium and a bunch of parking lots. Stand firm, Mayor Williams.