D.C. United's search for a home to call their own took an important step forward on Friday, as Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray announced that the city and club had reached an agreement for a soccer-specific stadium, and that he has submitted the proposal to the D.C. Council, the city's legislative branch.
The announcement represents an important step forward for the proposed 20,000 to 25,000-seat stadium in the Buzzard Point neighborhood in southwest Washington.
The cost of the stadium is reported to be $300 million, with the city paying $150 million for land acquisition and infrastructure and the club paying the same amount to actually construct the stadium. According to a release from the mayor's office, the city now controls 88% of the land required to build the stadium.
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"We are excited about the completion of this portion of the process, and we look forward to the next steps, engaging directly and working closely with the D.C. Council," a D.C. United spokesperson told MLSsoccer.com.
According to NBC Washington, some city council members and mayoral candidates have expressed concerns aboiut the project, but Gray touted the broad merits of the deal in a release.
“This is a major step forward for economic development in the District of Columbia,” Gray said. “The new soccer stadium is the final catalyst for what is certain to become one of the most vibrant and sustainable sports and retail districts in America.”
