by Doug Barnes, David Rusk and Tod Lindberg

As the elevator opened to the 8th floor of 100 M Street, SE last Tuesday, we expected to see off-white hallways leading to tidy offices. Instead, our surprised eyes were drawn to what looked like a construction area. The floors were bare concrete and the open space revealed the structural bones of the new building. The large windows overlooked more construction on the east side of Nationals Park straight along First Street. Field lights illuminating the dark evening sky revealed an empty ballpark in anticipation of tens of thousands of fans streaming in for the playoffs in just a few days. What could be a more appropriate site for discussion of the construction a new nearby DC United soccer stadium?

Although the decorations were spare, the large room was busy. People were milling around in different conversation areas and talking about Buzzard Point and the new soccer stadium. This was not a skeptical crowd, but rather a group that seemed eager to soak in all of the detailed planning that had taken place during the last five or more years. Thankfully, this event was more like a poster session than a lecture. There were no stiff speeches to passive crowds. Interested people were moving from station to station, asking questions, making points, discussing issues and listening to those in the room who had been involved in writing background reports for the new stadium and Buzzard Point.

We were eager to move past the DC United staff. It was not that we weren't interested in talking soccer. Instead, we wanted to understand the more general vision for Buzzard Point. There were several takeaway points from our discussions.

The new stadium might be thought of as the tip of the spear. The stadium itself is the focus of DC United fans, but the interest of city planners and developers is the overall vision for Buzzard Point. The area now is planned for low-rise, mixed use development, but there also is the danger that investors will want to push for taller buildings that would make the area less community and pedestrian-friendly. The direction for development around the new stadium at Buzzard Point is certainly relevant to soccer fans en route to the stadium from the Metro and parking lots on the east side of South Capitol Street. But it also will have implications for those living in the residential areas between the stadium and the Waterfront Metro station. Residents will want a vibrant area that beckons them to visit when the stadium is not in use.

We listened with interest to discussions about potential new financial investors attracted to being involved in a patient, long-term effort to develop Buzzard Point. How serious they actually are is a question for each of those investors, but the point is that numerous parties are already expressing interest in participating in the redevelopment of Buzzard Point. This attention also is surely being spurred by the future presence of a sparkling new soccer stadium in close proximity to the popular Nationals Park.

The Frederick Douglass Bridge and new stadium will kick off at about the same time. The total budget for the bridge redevelopment, which includes the approach roads, is about $600 million. This also encompasses the development of Potomac Avenue, the road that leads to the new stadium. After this is completed, another $300 million is planned for South Capitol, M Street and New Jersey Avenue near Nationals Park. Plans are also underway for taking the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail from Nationals Park under the refurbished bridge to Buzzard Point and eventually to the Maine Avenue Waterfront. Wide sidewalks and possibly bicycle lanes will be built on both sides of South Capitol Street. Rumors circulated that DC United would like to have the new stadium set the MLS standard for bicycle-friendliness. If so, that would build on DC's current citywide initiative to promote urban biking as part of the transportation mix. Nationals Park already offers a bicycle valet parking service. Will DC United's new stadium be the next link in the chain?

The authors of the Buzzard Point Urban Design Framework financed by the City Administrator confirmed that the City is committed to green space along the Anacostia River that includes a biking and walking trail that will run under the new Frederick Douglass Bridge and connect to the existing Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. At present this is only in the planning stage, but the goal is to have a series of interconnected small parks with visual connections with the new stadium. This transformation, of course, would require the cooperation of existing landowners. This plan would make the surrounding environment of the stadium attractive for those wishing to go to the game early and to have a nice dinner along the waterfront. Also, families could enjoy the open waterfront and small parks before entering the stadium for a soccer game. A tailgate in Lot 8 at RFK has considerable charm of its own. But how about a tailgate in a greenspace with a river view not far from the new stadium? The very well written urban planning document with Buzzard Point renderings is available online at on the City Administrators website.

Consultants and District Department of Transportation officials confirmed that it is quite possible that the stretch of Potomac Avenue leading from South Capitol Street to the new stadium could be closed during game days. This short stretch of highway would be ideal for a pre-game "march to the stadium" for supporters beating drums, waving flags, and chanting. It would also be a very pleasant, wide venue for pedestrians streaming into and out of the new stadium.

We think Talon's job is safe. But Buzzard Point is an ugly duckling name that could perhaps turn into a swan. DC United Stadium at Buzzard Point sounds like a perfect, albeit unusual, name for a world class soccer stadium. Like Camden Yards, and very unlike FedEx Field, Buzzard Point has a genuine history and tradition. The name has its origins in the 17th century, predating the layout of the federal city. This might be relevant to a club whose motto is "tradition." This doesn't preclude selling naming rights and then calling the new soccer stadium something like "Leidos Field at Buzzard Point." But if people get in the habit of calling the stadium "Buzzard Point," that will outlast all future sponsors deals to create a permanent impression of an inhospitable venue for opposing teams. Our MLS rivals, even teams from around the world, will dread the prospect of trying to get a result on their visit to Buzzard Point!