Investor's Influence Expands In Region

Asked why he came to Washington, MacFarlane said he was seeking to help neglected communities in a historically African American city.

"I want to make a lot of money, but I want to feel good about it," he said. Besides, he added: "I can't sink $10 billion into Detroit."

Two weeks ago, MacFarlane popped into town on his jet for a few hours.

He hustled to the Four Seasons to host a dinner for about 40 city residents, including D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D), touting MacFarlane's soccer stadium project at Poplar Point as a boon to long-neglected residents in Wards 7 and 8.

MacFarlane has not been shy about lobbying to win support for his plan. He hired well-connected locals, including Linda Greene, former chief of staff to council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8). MacFarlane also pledged to build a youth athletic field in Ward 8 and gave $10,000 to the Barry Farm Recreation Center football team.

He also has made a personal pitch. Who better to bring housing, offices and shops to black neighborhoods, MacFarlane asks, than someone who came from similar circumstances?

"I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. I slept on a couch with my sister in a community that looked like many of the ones we go into," said MacFarlane, who also plans to revitalize a city block in New York's Harlem neighborhood. "I'm not going to apologize for my success. That's supposed to be what the American dream is all about. But part of giving back is also demonstrating what can be done. If I'm in control of all this capital and won't make a difference, then who will?"

Barry has thrown his support behind MacFarlane, but other key officials remain skeptical.

"I don't know about just giving the community money," said Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large), a Ward 7 resident and chairman of the council's Committee on Economic Development. "He has no problem spending dollars, and he's well known in the industry. But what do District residents and the District get out of the stadium plan?"

The Fenty administration has had a similar reaction. MacFarlane wants to build 8 million square feet of development at Poplar Point, twice what city planners have envisioned, and has asked the city to pay for $350 million in infrastructure. He explained that cities routinely invest in major projects and pointed to the District's publicly funded $611 million baseball stadium complex.

Without the public money, D.C. United officials have hinted that they will leave for the suburbs. But Fenty aides said that an open competition for Poplar Point could result in a better package for the city.

"We put all of our eggs in one basket, and they tossed the basket," MacFarlane said, uncharacteristically showing frustration. "Without a [new] stadium, we're losing significant money every year. It's no fun."

MacFarlane hasn't given up. His spokeswoman, Julie Chase, recently hired Julia Hudson, daughter of D.C. lawyer James Hudson, one of Fenty's closest advisers. MacFarlane also has been talking with his friends at Forest City about another stadium proposal.

Until then, he's a fixture at RFK Stadium during D.C. United games. After the team's 4-2 victory over the New England Revolution last month, MacFarlane entered the locker room but seemed out of place among players who did not recognize him.

Before long, however, he was back in his comfort zone, huddling in a corner with business partners, planning another strategy session for Poplar Point.