DC plans to transfer land in the Buzzard Point area to DC United for a new stadium "late this summer" and the MLS club is "hopeful of breaking ground" in Q4 this year, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The timetable to complete the $300M project "will take as little as 14 months," though realistically, construction "will last 16-18 months." Regardless, the club "plans to christen the facility sometime in the first half" of '18. DC United yesterday participated in the "ceremonial demolition" of the planned south end of the new stadium. Meanwhile, team officials said that they "will not play any matches" at RFK Stadium beyond '17. DC United Managing General Partner Jason Levien said, "Next year will be our last year at RFK, which will be an exciting year from a nostalgia standpoint for our fans and the community." Goff notes initial plans call for the venue "to accommodate 20,000 spectators: 19,400 seats, plus standing room for 600." There also are "preliminary plans for a second phase of construction in the future to add up to 3,000 additional seats behind the goals and in some corners." The "narrow footprint of the property ... leaves no room to expand on the sides." A roof "will cover the main stands on the east and west sides, but the north and south ends will remain uncovered." Plans call for seven suites at field level on the west side and five in the northeast corner, while the remaining 20 or so suites "will line the upper east side." DC United will open a stadium preview center "near Union Market in Northeast Washington in two weeks." Meanwhile, the club is in "preliminary talks with the DC government about the feasibility of building a training center" in the Anacostia area (WASHINGTON POST, 4/26).
