North American Major League Soccer’s DC United has reached a compromise with local landowners over the design of its new stadium.
Earlier this month it emerged that the team’s plans for the facility were at risk due to ongoing protests from local real estate developers, who felt that a stadium built according to the original plans would stifle economic development in the area.
Those against the proposal had reportedly hired architects to draw up alternative plans and called on a communications firm to launch a campaign to hamper DC United’s work.
However, an “agreeable solution” between the two parties has now been reached. Matt Klein, president and chief executive of landowner Akridge, has confirmed the revised design includes the addition of outward facing retail to the southwest stadium frontage, along with other changes put forward by opponents.
“Ultimately we found a solution that worked for everybody and I think makes the neighbourhood better from where the prior plan was,” Klein told the Washington Business Journal newspaper. “I think it’s going to be better for DC United. I think it’s going to be a better front door to the neighbourhood.”
DC United will next month seek approval from the DC Zoning Commission to commence construction on the 20,000-capacity, $300m (£245.3m/€274.7m) stadium. If given the green light, the club will break ground on the development in January or February.
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