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Baseball Opposes Moving Stadium
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But Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) has contacted Cropp to discuss whether the federal government would contribute to the infrastructure costs or allow the District to build on federal land near RFK, a source with knowledge of the discussion said yesterday. Cropp, the source said, also has talked with Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) about the issue.
Neither Davis nor Hoyer responded to requests for comments. The source said both congressmen reiterated their preference for the Anacostia River site but added that they would help move the project to the RFK location if Cropp determined that was the best option.
Cropp's support is considered critical to the mayor and other supporters of the current site. Last year, Cropp suggested that building near RFK would save considerable money on land and infrastructure.
Cropp said yesterday that the RFK site remains an option. But she added that she believes the current site is more feasible because Gandhi testified that the District can afford to pay $631.5 million toward the stadium project without dipping into the city's general fund.
On top of the $535 million in construction bonds, Gandhi said, the city will earn $30 million in interest on those bonds before the money is spent next year, as well as a $9 million premium paid by investors because the bonds will carry an investment-grade rating.
Furthermore, the city earned $37.5 million in tax revenue during the Nationals' first season -- from a gross receipts tax on businesses, a utilities tax on businesses and federal buildings, and a stadium concessions tax. In addition, baseball has agreed to contribute $20 million in the pending lease agreement.
Gandhi said the city could pay for everything in the stadium project with the $631.5 million except the infrastructure upgrades.
Representatives from four development companies named this week by Williams to oversee development of a ballpark entertainment district at the Anacostia River location testified that the city could earn enough money from selling development rights on land near the stadium to build underground parking.
