DC DOES NOT NEED OR CAN AFFORD A NEW SOCCER STADIUM

[Psycho]

DC DOES NOT NEED NOR CAN IT

AFFORD A NEW SOCCER STADIUM

 

A coalition of D.C. City Council members is drafting legislation that would authorize Mayor Adrian M. Fenty to spend $150 million in public money to subsidize construction of a soccer stadium for D.C. United in Southeast Washington, city government sources said.

 

Under the plan being developed by Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), the 27,000-seat stadium would be included in a larger, mixed-use development at Poplar Point, a 110-acre swath of parkland along the Anacostia River. The site is across the river from the Washington Nationals' baseball stadium.

 

The city would finance construction bonds with excess tax revenue being collected by the District to pay for the baseball stadium. D.C. United would be responsible for paying for any costs above $150 million, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan is still being finalized.

 

The Government of the District of Columbia seems to have the money to build sports stadiums but not for a new medical facility for the poor, better job training programs or other things to improve the lives of its citizens.