D.C. United President and CEO Kevin Payne publicly announced the club's desire for a new stadium to be built east of the Anacostia River on Poplar Point in Washington, D.C. The presentation was made in front of community leaders at F.W. Ballou Senior High School on Tuesday night.
The proposed 27,000-seat stadium is planned to be the focal point for a mixed-use development that would include a hotel as well as office and retail space along with housing initiatives and riverfront revitalization. The coming together of the most successful professional soccer team in the United States, the world's biggest sport and a supportive community makes the potential project one of the most important and significant "sport-based" urban renewal programs in American sporting history.
"This development will bring opportunity for everyone east of the River," Payne told the standing-room-only crowd in the high school auditorium during the two-hour session.
For the past 10 years, D.C. United have made their home at RFK Stadium. Following the acquisition of the club by a local investor group headed by Payne, a decision has been made to find a new location where the four-time MLS Cup champions can build their own purpose-built soccer stadium and supporting soccer facilities.
Stressing dreams and opportunity, Payne ensured that the proposed development would be more than bricks and mortar. Following months of meetings and conversations with community activists, leaders and elected officials, United's president and CEO spoke of integrated facilities that would provide fields, coaching, leagues and world-class soccer - all of which would allow local children to dream of becoming the world's best. Payne also addressed job development and training, housing and a host of other opportunities that would be provided for those living east of the River. He finished his presentation by taking questions from the audience during a lengthy question and answer session.
"Our stadium and mixed-use development at Poplar Point will impact the community of Ward 8 and the District in a way no other project can," said Payne. "It will change the community for the better by providing opportunity for everyone."
Tuesday night's event, moderated by WJLA-TV personality Sam Ford and attended by several community leaders, including Ward 8 City Councilmember Marion Barry and R. Calvin Lockridge or the Ward 8 Business Council. The BSHS Choir, Band and Extreme Models also performed during the event.
