DC United on Thursday "received final approval" to build Audi Field, ending "more than a dozen years of frustration to replace RFK Stadium as its home and creating an economic pathway to help the team catch up" to the rest of MLS, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The five-member DC Zoning Commission was "unanimous in approving the 14-acre project." The city had previously agreed to cover $150M in "land acquisition and infrastructure costs." DC United will spend up to $200M on the 20,000-capacity venue, which club officials "aim to open" in June '18. Goff notes DC United have "played at run-down RFK" since '96. Since '99, 14 teams have "christened new stadiums and two others are slated to move into new digs next year." A ceremonial groundbreaking is slated for Feb. 27, with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and MLS Commissioner Don Garber "scheduled to attend." DC United is on a "tight construction timetable to play the inaugural match." But DC United Managing General Partner Jason Levien has said that the project "could be completed in 14-16 months." The Dynamo's BBVA Compass Stadium "was finished in 15 months." Designed with soccer in mind, Audi Field "promises to enhance the fan experience and United’s home-field advantage." The seating sections are "closer to the field and offer improved sightlines" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/17). In DC, Karen Goff reported after design tweaks by architects Populous and Marshall Moya Design were "done in October, the project was given preliminary approval in December." However, Zoning Commission Chair Anthony Hood at a Dec. 16 hearing said he wanted to see "major work done" on the transportation issues (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/16).
