Mayor Muriel Bowser led a ceremonial demolition this morning that marked the first tangible stage of preparation for the building of D.C. United’s new stadium in Buzzard Point.
The event—officially called an “infrastructure groundbreaking”—paves the way for a proper groundbreaking to take place later this year for the tentatively-named “D.C. United Stadium” (naming rights will surely be sold), a 20,000-seat soccer-specific facility scheduled for completion in the spring of 2018.
During the ceremony, Bowser, D.C. United managing partner Jason Levien, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, and others took turns operating a construction excavator to tear down a decrepit shed that currently occupies part of the stadium site at 2nd and S Streets, SW.
The mayor 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.”
Levien echoed Bowser’s sentiments. “This building signifies the next step in our club’s evolution, yet will continue to represent our core values as we become a catalyst in the economic development of this Southwest Waterfront district,” he said. “Very soon we will hear the opening whistle for the first time, right here.”
Recently released renderings give a glimpse of a sleek new facility.
Under the original terms of the deal, 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.
D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen bemoaned that he didn’t get a chance to operate the heavy machinery, but acknowledged the day’s symbolic significance. “This stadium has been a huge project that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, as a lot of people have been in this community, and this is just another small step to getting this dream to be a reality.”
Of the loyal supporters who have long yearned for a new stadium, he said: “They’ve earned it going to RFK for the last 20 years. RFK is a wonderful building. It’s served its purpose for us, but it’s time to move on, it’s time to reward them for all their support and put them in a new home.”
