DC Wants the Nats to Stay in Navy Yard

[imref]

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-council-wants-to-make-sure-the-nationals-stay-in-navy-yard

WASHINGTON - The D.C. Council want to make sure that the Washington Nationals stay in Navy Yard – and don't follow the Wizards and the Capitals with a potential move to Virginia.

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson is moving forward with legislation to fund millions of dollars in improvements and modernizations to Nationals Park. The ballpark is already 16 years old, and some estimates suggest it needs $300 million dollars in upgrades.

D.C. has already spent nearly $20 million on a new scoreboard, but Mendelson tells FOX 5 he wants to get in front of this now.

"We own that stadium. We are responsible for repairing it. Not only do we have that obligation, but let’s provide a long-term plan," said Mendelson.

Mendelson has been critical of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser over her "reactive approach" to making an offer to the Capitals and Wizards, opening a door for Virginia to sweep in to move those teams to Alexandria.

[Mattionals]

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/dc-council-wants-to-make-sure-the-nationals-stay-in-navy-yard

We should put on that roof that was rumored years ago! But seriously, a retractable roof like TMO Park in Seattle would be FANTASTIC. That should be the gold standard for a stadium roof.

[IanRubbish]

Good to see the Council offering this.  MLB and Lerners must appreciate.

[Senatorswin]

If DC is going to spend big bucks to improve the stadium they have every right to ensure the team stays there. Good for them.

[PowerBoater69]

DC owns Nationals Park, maintenance and upgrades are part of the original contract, although $300 million is more than originally projected. Of course $20 beers are more than projected too, inflation is a nag.

https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2016/03/04/10710/maintenance-costs-on-nationals-park-to-bring-citys-tab-to-more-than-700m/

[IanRubbish]

DC owns Nationals Park, maintenance and upgrades are part of the original contract, although $300 million is more than originally projected. Of course $20 beers are more than projected too, inflation is a nag.

https://www.fieldofschemes.com/2016/03/04/10710/maintenance-costs-on-nationals-park-to-bring-citys-tab-to-more-than-700m/

The property tax revenue from the surrounding neighborhood has more than made up for the city's investment. 

[Senatorswin]

The property tax revenue from the surrounding neighborhood has more than made up for the city's investment.

Yes it has. That whole area has gone from a toilet to the place to be in DC. It really is nice not only when there's a game but year around. Anthony Williams agreeing to build the stadium has been a success.

[Count Walewski]

Navy Yard/Nats Park is the rare example of public financing of a sports stadium actually working out for all involved, including city leaders and taxpayers. It's a fantastic place to see a ballgame, buy a counterfeit hat, and hang out. Not super inconvenient to get to by public transportation either. Even as a Virginian, I have zero desire to see the Nationals move.

[GataNats]

Not convenient?   What is it, like less than half a mile?

[1995hoo]

Not convenient?   What is it, like less than half a mile?

Read it again. "Not super inconvenient."

[Count Walewski]

The only reason I said "not super inconvenient" instead of "super convenient" is because Navy Yard is kind of in a peripheral location on the Metro. It's not at a major transfer point so most people taking the Metro have to change trains at least once. That can be annoying on a Sunday or very late when frequency isn't great.

But yeah it's a one block walk from the Metro to the ballpark through the most vibrant part of the neighborhood.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

It was great back in the days when I was one of like five people taking the green line from the southern end to the stadium.