New Commanders Stadium at Poplar Point (Ward 8)?

[Anonymous]

The federal government owns Poplar Point. If and when it is turned over to the city, it would really make the best location for the FBI HQ, but a stadium there is a non-starter for a host of environmental reasons. Also, the Howard Road parcels adjacent are slated for a mix of apartments and offices. There really isn't good car egress to where a stadium would go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a fan of the Red Commanders returning to DC with substantial taxpayer funding. That said, if they were to come to Washington a better site might be the old PEPCO plant on Benning Rd. It's a large, industrial use site that is largely buffered by wide roads from adjacent residential areas. It has river frontage and distant monumental views, with room for parkland and mixed use. There's access to major arterials and to highways. It lies between two Metro stations and there would be an opportunity for infill station next to the site.

Another option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poplar Pointe is a great idea! It's right off the river. It's right across from two other stadiums. It's right next to the 295 freeway as well as South Capitol Street, which also has access to 395 and 695, which also means that traffic can come in from two different ways vs. the one way at RFK. It's an area that's already used to nightlife and sports. It's a better view from the freeway, and will go good with the new South Capitol Street Bridge. They can even have boat access to the stadium since it's right off the river. It also sits right in between two metro train stations vs. the one station at RFK. It would fit nice with all the high rise apartments vs. the row houses at RFK. Not to mention that the people around RFK are no longer used to sports traffic and they don't want the new stadium anyway. Poplar Pointe already has 2 other stadiums across the river. Poplar Pointe itself is not residential aside from that one apartment building that's being built up the street from it. Poplar Pointe is literally a wide open space that's just sitting there. A big dome stadium would go perfect right there. Unlike RFK, it would be much more visible from the freeway, and would fit right in with the lights since that area is already lit up. RFK is 100% residential. The new dome belongs in a spot where sport and nightlife traffic already exists.

As a site for a new football stadium, Poplar Point makes a lot more sense than RFK. The environmental issues will have to be resolved regardless of what is out there and a new stadium could anchor the development of the eastern shore of the Anacostia like nothing else. There is so much potential there, particularly if the city explores options to bury 295 (a la 395 under the mall). Using the RFK footprint for a recreation area - more fields, a pool etc. - makes a lot more sense given how popular the fields are currently and the surrounding area (Kingman Island, Anacostia Riverfront Trail etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Poplar Pointe is a great idea! It's right off the river. It's right across from two other stadiums. It's right next to the 295 freeway as well as South Capitol Street, which also has access to 395 and 695, which also means that traffic can come in from two different ways vs. the one way at RFK. It's an area that's already used to nightlife and sports. It's a better view from the freeway, and will go good with the new South Capitol Street Bridge. They can even have boat access to the stadium since it's right off the river. It also sits right in between two metro train stations vs. the one station at RFK. It would fit nice with all the high rise apartments vs. the row houses at RFK. Not to mention that the people around RFK are no longer used to sports traffic and they don't want the new stadium anyway. Poplar Pointe already has 2 other stadiums across the river. Poplar Pointe itself is not residential aside from that one apartment building that's being built up the street from it. Poplar Pointe is literally a wide open space that's just sitting there. A big dome stadium would go perfect right there. Unlike RFK, it would be much more visible from the freeway, and would fit right in with the lights since that area is already lit up. RFK is 100% residential. The new dome belongs in a spot where sport and nightlife traffic already exists.

As a site for a new football stadium, Poplar Point makes a lot more sense than RFK. The environmental issues will have to be resolved regardless of what is out there and a new stadium could anchor the development of the eastern shore of the Anacostia like nothing else. There is so much potential there, particularly if the city explores options to bury 295 (a la 395 under the mall). Using the RFK footprint for a recreation area - more fields, a pool etc. - makes a lot more sense given how popular the fields are currently and the surrounding area (Kingman Island, Anacostia Riverfront Trail etc.).

The environmental issues are not remediation. That whole area is a sponge for all the water coming down from the Anacostia Highlands. Paving it over or putting a stadium there will negatively impact that whole side of the river. Also, there is plenty of development in both Wards 7 and 8 in that area. It wouldn't need a stadium to catalyize it, it is already happening.