D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams signed into law a financing package for a new baseball stadium along the Anacostia waterfront in Southeast yesterday, calling it "one of my proudest days as mayor."
The legislation, which was approved narrowly by the D.C. Council last week, authorizes the administration to issue up to $534.8 million in bonds to pay for the ballpark, as well as renovations to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The Washington Nationals are to play at RFK for three seasons, starting April 14, then move to the new stadium in 2008.
Mayor Anthony A. Williams signs the financing measure before a group of baseball backers, officials and reporters.
(Photos Dudley M. Brooks -- The Washington Post)
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Surrounded by children in red, white and blue Nationals caps and T-shirts, Williams (D) donned a red cap and signed the document with three ceremonial pens, then smiled for the assembled television cameras and raised his arm.
The signing ensures that the council cannot reopen the legislation for further changes and puts a close on two months of fierce debate among city leaders, activists and residents over the use of public money for a ballpark.
"It's a great day in our city," Williams said. "This baseball park is good for the city. Maybe I could have done a few things differently, but I never regretted what I did. It's not good just psychologically for the city, but it's good for the city economically. I really, really believe that."
Under the terms of the stadium package, the city will implement a gross receipts tax on large businesses and a utilities tax on businesses and federal buildings, while continuing to seek 50 percent private financing. A tax on concessions and an annual rent payment by the team also will provide revenue to pay off the bonds.
Williams and other stadium supporters have argued that a new ballpark near the Navy Yard and South Capitol Street will spark economic development in an area of the city that has been largely neglected. They envision a lively and bustling waterfront, with pedestrian walkways and shops.
Many civic activists and economists have contended that such claims are exaggerated and that public dollars would be better spent on more pressing needs such as schools, libraries and hospitals.
"The mayor has gone through oodles of criticism, but we ought to take our hat off to him and say, 'Job well done,' " said Harold Brazil (D-At Large), one of the council's top baseball supporters. He will be replaced Sunday by Kwame Brown, who has expressed concerns about public funding of the stadium.
Williams referred to his six years as mayor and said: "We brought this city from on its back to on its feet. We know what we're talking about when we say we are making strategic investments in our city."
Stephen M. Green, the mayor's key adviser on baseball and planning issues, said that an architect would be picked within 45 days and initial stadium designs could be done within six months. Final designs will be done within a year and the city hopes to begin construction by March 2006, Green said.
Harry Thomas Jr., who runs a youth baseball program, noted that Major League Baseball has promised to create a foundation to help improve athletic opportunities for the city's youth.
"There's a real opportunity there for a partnership," Thomas said. "There's a chance for players to do clinics and camps with the kids."
Stephen Truhart, 17, a junior who plays second base and right field at Archbishop Carroll High, was among those standing behind Williams as he signed the bill. Truhart said that he attended just one Baltimore Orioles game this year.
"It's too hard to take the train up 30 miles or fight traffic," he said.
Mark Tuohey, head of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, said that he expects Williams to throw the ceremonial first pitch for the Nationals.
"We'll give the president the second pitch," Tuohey said to Williams. "It's your vision."
