"Things are happening in the right places at the right levels behind the scenes," according to Robert T. Sweeney, president of Convention, Sports & Leisure International. Sweeney spoke to Jonathan O'Connell of the Washington Post's Capital Business blog about the possibility of constructing a new D.C. United stadium in the District, and the draft study conducted by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance to determine the financial impact that the stadium would have.
According to the study, D.C. United's new stadium would cost at least $157 Million in construction/design/engineering costs, a bill that would be paid possibly in full by United and its investment group, which is likely to include Indonesian media giant Erick Thohir among others.
If constructed, the stadium would reportedly offer significant benefits to the District of Columbia, generating $5.3-7.3 Million in yearly tax revenue, $19.5 Million in wages, $38 Million in local spending, and 600-810 permanent jobs.
The results of the study were obtained by the Washington Post, but are not yet available for public viewing.
As detailed also by O'Connell and the Post back in March, the 22,000 seat stadium that is currently being discussed would possibly be located on Buzzard Point in Southwest D.C., just a few blocks away from Nationals Park. The stadium could be part of a greater Buzzard Point development that would also include retail, offices, apartments, and a music venue.