Photo by ISIphotos.com
Taking politicians at face value during this time of the year can be seen as a bit of a gamble, but the latest out of Washington D.C. should have D.C. United fans buzzing.
D.C. Council member Jack Evans, Ward 2 Democrat, was on "The Kojo Nnamdi Show" on Friday and he said the city is in the final stages of negotiations with United to complete a deal for a soccer-specific stadium. Evans said the team would foot the bill in terms of construction cost, but that the city would provide the infrastructure.
"They have a new ownership, the D.C. United, who are really committed to building a stadium in the city," Evans said. "The team would pay for it. And the city would do what we always do, which is the infrastructure."
D.C. United are looking to build a 20-25,000-seat stadium at the Buzzard Point property near Nationals Park. The club has been looking for a move away from creaky and cavernous RFK Stadium for some time and the introduction of new owners Erick Thohir and Jason Levien this summer has given the club a stronger financial backbone.
Though a stadium is still not imminent, and getting a project approved in the D.C. area will still take plenty of work, Evans' comments are still a positive sign for a club that has spent so much time and energy trying to secure a new home and solidify the team's future in the D.C. area.
You can watch the part of the interview where Evans talks briefly about the soccer-specific stadium after the jump:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxvqhfCfGCg?feature=player_embedded]
What do you make of this development? Ecstatic? Still not buying it until you see a shovel in the ground?
Share your thoughts below.