The District on Monday announced that it is seeking bids to develop the 110-acre waterfront property known as Poplar Point, thesite that has been eyed by D.C. United for a new soccer stadium.
Located on the banks of the Anacostia River, the property is included in the District’s Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, which seeks more than $10 billion worth of investment, including new parks, trails, housing, retail and office space.
District officials had been negotiating with D.C. United to build a $150 million soccer stadium, but the talks reportedly fell through after investors with the Major League Soccer team asked for $200 million in subsidies.
City officials say Poplar Point could accommodate more than 3.5 million square feet of development during the next 15 years.
At least 30 percent of all the housing built on Poplar Point must be affordable for moderate and low-income families, officials say.
Under the terms of the agreement with the federal government, the District must reserve at least 70 acres of the property for a waterfront park. The District also has promised to restore nearby wetlands, including Stickfoot Creek.
Proposals will not be required to include a soccer stadium, said District officials, who expect to select a developer before the end of the year.
Officials with D.C. United couldn’t be reached Monday evening, but on Sunday, D.C. United President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Payne told The Associated Press that the team was still negotiating with the city.
“Our position is pretty clear: We want to be in the District. We want to be in Ward 8 at Poplar Point,” Payne said. “Until somebody tells us no, that the district doesn’t want us here, we’re going to continue down the path that we’re going down.”
