When D.C. United finally open their park in the next couple of years they will need to make sure to thank D.C. Code § 16-1301 for helping procure the land necessary to make it all happen. After months of deliberation, the D.C. City Council announced on Thursday that they have acquired the last remaining parcel of land necessary to build the a new D.C. United stadium through eminent domain.
In a statement released to the press D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “The District of Columbia and D.C. United are moving forward on a soccer stadium that will transform a neighborhood on the banks of the Anacostia and generate hundreds of new jobs for District residents. We have created the best deal for the District, its residents, D.C. United and its fans.”
The parcel of land, which is located in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest Washington D.C., settles the last major stumbling block to building a soccer-specific stadium for D.C. Assuming the City Council’s request is approved. The property, which is about two acres, is currently owned by Akridge. The development company had been in negotiations with the City Council over the land but, according to the Washington Business Times, the two sides were $15 million apart.
Eminent domain is a term used in development used to describe when the government takes over private property for the purpose of public use. The private property owners are typically compensated and it is normally used for blighted territories.
What is important to note is that Akridge originally stood to benefit more in the deal preceding the current one. In that deal the D.C. government would acquire the Buzzard Point property and have settle a land swap deal with Akridge by handing them the Reeves Center in Northwest D.C. But in an independent assessment conducted by the City Council it was revealed that the City would be selling the Reeves Center at a much lower price than what it is worth. Bowser adjusted the deal by eliminating the land-swap amendment and instead having the city purchase the property directly.
For D.C. United although this is not the best news (it would have been better for the two parties to agree) it only delays building the stadium. Both Akridge and the City Council will have to appear in court and a decision will be made by a judge as to what the city owes Akridge. What is also is important is that the property currently does not ave any housing projects on it which means that the local tennant associations will not raise an issue over it.
