D.C. Council members Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) announced the creation of the Poplar Point Coalition over the weekend, just days before the RFEI’s are due from developers for interest in the 130 acre site known as Poplar Point. The announcement comes as tension has been building between the DC United owner, Victor MacFarlane, Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry, and Mayor Fenty. Several months ago a disagreement over total figures between Fenty and MacFarlane led the mayor to announce the opening for bidding from developers for the site despite years of negotiations between MacFarlane, Barry and Fenty.

Now MacFarlane has taken the opposition to another level by announcing his intent to begin looking for possible stadium sites outside the city boundaries, an act that is nothing short of explicit defiance. It seems as though the creation of the coalition yesterday comes just days before of the deadline for RFEI proposals (Oct. 19) and MacFarlane’s new site search, possibly to hasten the parting of ways for MacFarlane and D.C.