Mayor-Elect Bowser, Councilmembers and Councilmembers-Elect:
Please oppose B20-805, the District of Columbia Soccer Stadium Development Act of 2014, or any similar proposal rushed through the Council without proper public oversight. The Council should consider development of a new soccer stadium at least 100 days after the new mayor and council have been sworn in.
Why is this important?
The soccer stadium proposal appears designed to further enrich a megamillionaire and a billionaire - developer John Akridge and DC United majority owner Erick Thorir - at District residents' expense. The Washington Post editorial board agrees, proposing to "separate the transactions in a way that ensures fair market value for both properties and dispels any suggestion of a sweetheart deal."
Even if the bill is amended along these lines, the lack of substantial public input remains a major concern. If building a soccer stadium in Washington D.C. is as popular as its proponents insist, taxpayer funds for that use should be approved in the full light of day.
