Government of
the District of Columbia, Anthony A. Williams, Mayor
DC Sports & Entertainment Commission
Washington Baseball Club
Major League Baseball Park
Site Evaluation Project
Public Meeting User Guide
Date: June 18, 2002
Time: 6 p. m. to 8 p. m.
Location:
Howard University Hospital Tower Auditorium
2041 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Inside the User Guide:
Introduction to the User Guide
June 18, 2002 Agenda
FAQ Sheet
Worksheet
Meeting Evaluation
www.publicspace.justicesustainability.com/baseball
Back to top of page
Thank you for coming to the 1st public forum of the Major League Baseball
Park Site Evaluation Project. This information packet includes tonight's
agenda, frequently asked questions, a worksheet on planning principles and
a meeting evaluation form, assembled to assist you in staying engaged in
this project.
Tonight, you will be introduced to the consultant team that is responsible
for the project. A presentation will be given of the information-gathering
and evaluation process. Most importantly, this meeting offers you, the
public, an opportunity to discuss and share your views of the evaluation
process to be used for identifying possible baseball sites in the District.
More information on the Major League Baseball Park Site Evaluation Project
may be found at the following websites:
D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission
www.dcsec.com
D.C. Office of Planning
www.planning.dc.gov
Washington Baseball Club
www.baseballindc.com
To make your input online, please visit:
Justice and Sustainability Associates QSA)
www.publicspace.justicesustainabiliiy.com/baseball
If you wish, you may send your comments, questions, input, planning
principles, etc. to GSA's fax at 202-610-4471or leave a voicemail message
at 202-610-0005.
www.publicspace.justicesustainability.com/baseball
Back to top of page
Major League Baseball Park Site Evaluation Project
Public Meeting.
June 18, 2002
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Howard University Hospital Tower Auditorium
Agenda
Introduction
Welcome, Don Edwards, JSA, 6:00
Purpose
Ground Rules
Thanks and Acknowledgements, Winston Lord, WBC, 6:10
Bobby Goldwater, DCSEC
Andrew Altman, OP
Presentation
PowerPoint Presentation, Christopher Dunlavey, B&D, 6:20
Guidelines and Criteria, Matt Bell, EEK
Public Participation
Question and Answer, Don Edwards, JSA, 6:45
Audience Break Outs, 7:00
Report Back, 7:40
Conclusion
Adjourn/Next Meeting, Don Edwards, JSA, 8:00
Back to top of page
Major League Baseball and Washington, D.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of Major League Baseball returning to the
District?
Promising statements in recent months from MLB Commissioner Selig and
other senior MLB executives have signaled that the prospects for baseball returning to the
District are the strongest they have been since the Washington Senators departed in 1971. Presently, MLB
is working through several business issues including a new collective bargaining agreement and the
possibility of contracting, or eliminating, teams. Depending on the outcomes, it is possible that an
existing team could be relocated to the Nation's Capital in the near future.
Who is leading the efort to bring ALB back to DC?
Mayor Anthony Williams and the District government are leading the
District's efforts on baseball. The government entity responsible for
promoting sports in the District, including baseball, is the D.C. Sports
and Entertainment Commission. The Washington Baseball Club, L.L.C. is a
group of community and business leaders from the Washington area dedicated
to returning baseball to the District. More information on their efforts
can be found on websites dcsec.com and baseballindc.com.
What is the Major League Baseball Park Site Evaluation Project?
The Commission, the WBC and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning
and Economic Development have selected a team of six prestigious firms to
serve as a consultant team charged with identifying and evaluating every
feasible site in the District where a major league ballpark could be
developed with possible financing options on a site-specific basis. The
goal is to identify one or more sites in the District where a baseball
team can financially succeed and that will fit the vision for the District
in a process designed to be thorough, deliberate and inclusive.
What firms comprise the consultant team for the project?
The consultant team is led by Washington-based Brailsford & Dunlavey,
one of the country's leading firms in sports facility finance. The other
member firms are Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn (urban design and
planning); Heinlein, Schrock, Steams (ballpark conceptual design and
operations); Jair Lynch Companies (local D.C. real estate); Gorove/Slade
Associates (transportation and parking); and Justice and Sustainability
Associates (public outreach and communication). Each firm brings extensive
experience with baseball or other major sports facility projects and/or of
the Washington community.
Has a site been selected or is there a preferred site?
Absolutely not! The consultant team working on this project has just begun
an education and information-gathering process through which they will
learn what has made ballparks successful in other cities and what is
required to determine viable locations for a ballpark in the District. The
consultant team was not directed toward or away from any potential
ballpark site.
Why should a team and a ballpark be located in the District rather than in
Northern Virginia?
Successful ballparks are built where fans are - where people work, live
and/or come to be entertained . . . in a city. For more than a decade,
virtually every new ballpark has been built in an urban or downtown
location. Washington is the fifth largest market in the entire country and
the largest market without a MLB team. The anchor of the market is its
vibrant, rejuvenated center, the Nation's Capital.
Why can't RFK Stadium be used instead of building a new ballpark?
If and when MLB returns to the Washington region, venerable RFK Stadium is
planned to serve as the temporary venue for the team while a new ballpark
is being built. Now in its 41st year, RFK is simply too outdated to be a
baseball team's permanent home. The economics of major sports require that
suites and club seats, important guest services such as adequate restroom
facilities and sufficient food, beverage and merchandise locations plus
many other fan amenities are crucial to the success of a franchise. The
expense of renovating RFK would likely approach the cost of building a new
ballpark.
Should public money be contributed for the construction of a ballpark?
Nearly all ballparks that have been built in the last 15 or so years have
been public/private partnerships. Mayor Williams has indicated his support
to invest in a ballpark, provided the citizens of the District will
receive a return on their investment. The amount and potential sources of
such public funding are still to be determined. A public investment in a
ballpark would be an economic development investment in the city, with its
taxpayers realizing long-term financial benefits.
How can the public participate in the Major League Baseball Park Site
Evaluation Project?
Input from the residents of the District and the region will be a key
element of the project. Beginning with tonight's meeting, public
participation will be sought over the next 10 weeks regarding possible
ballpark sites. Individuals will be able to offer their insights and
opinions through a variety of ways. A directory of addresses and phone
numbers will be provided during the meeting.
When will the project be completed?
The objective of the report is to show MLB that D.C. has multiple viable
options for a ballpark that will ensure the success of a team. A report
with the consultant team's findings will be sent to the Commissioner by
the end of the 2002 MLB season. Site selection and financing will be
completed when a team has been awarded to the District.
Back to top of page
WASHINGTON BASEBALL CLUB
1919 M Street, NW · Second Floor · Washington, DC 20036 · P
202.327.2255 · www.BaseballinDC.com
Returning the National Pastime to the Nation's Capital
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON BASEBALL CLUB
WHAT IS THE WASHINGTON BASEBALL CLUB?
We are a group of Washingtonians dedicated to returning the national
pastime to the Nation's Capital.
Our group did not come together merely to own a team. We came together
to bring a team to this city.
We are not interested in bringing baseball to Northern Virginia. We
are committed to enhancing the economy, the vitality and the spirit of
this city.
WHO IS IN THE WASHINGTON BASEBALL CLUB?
The group currently consists of six community and business leaders.
They are: Managing Partner Frederic V. Malek, Chairman of Thayer
Capital Partners and former partner in the Texas Rangers; Franklin D.
Raines, Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae; James V. Kimsey, Founding CEO
and Chairman Emeritus of America Online; Joseph E. Robert, Jr.,
Chairman and CEO of J.E. Robert Companies; Stephen W. Porter, Senior
Partner at Arnold & Porter; and Paul Wolff, Senior Partner at
Williams & Connolly.
We will draw on all the diverse strengths of the Nation's Capital. We
are committed to expanding the ownership with those who share our
passion for this city and our loyalty to this community.
WHAT IS THE WASHINGTON BASEBALL CLUB FOUNDATION?
To continue our long-standing commitment to the community, we are
establishing a foundation whose mission will be to revitalize youth
baseball and softball in Washington DC. The focus of the foundation
will be to restore, build and improve baseball and softball fields and
provide much-needed equipment and uniforms to teams.
WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE FOR THE WASHINGTON DC
COMMUNITY?
We want the community to feel it is an integral part of our team. To that
end, WBC is dedicated to providing a full range of opportunities for
citizens.
We are committed to hiring a majority of our employees - from the front
office to batboys and batgirls - from the District. A ball club will not
only provide baseball-related jobs but also skills and training for jobs
in other industries.
Moreover, a baseball team here will stimulate economic activity, create
new jobs and increase tax revenues. Baseball means business in Washington,
D.C.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT A NEW TEAM WILL STAY HERE?
Our goal is not to just own a team, but to use baseball as a key for the
economic revitalization of the District. We plan to make the baseball team
a major part of the social and economic fabric of this city.
As members of this community, we strongly feel Washington is a terrific
place for a baseball team - good for the city, good for major league
baseball, and thus good for Washington.
For further information, go to our website - www.baseballindc.com.
Please contact us with any questions, comments, or
suggestions:
newballpark@baseballindc.com
202-327-2255
Back to top of page
Major League Baseball Park Site Evaluation Project
Ballpark Planning Principles Worksheet
June 18, 2002
Please designate your choices and write your comments.
1. Plan a seating capacity appropriate to the market - don't overbuild.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: A ten- to fifteen-acre site
Shape to accommodate 35,000-45,000 capacity
2. Locate contiguous to promising development districts.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Adjacency to developable parcels
Pedestrian access from employment and/or residential
areas
3. Locate to take advantage of unique Landmarks or civic treasures.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: View of / proximity to national
monuments
Waterfront / other aesthetic opportunities
4. Choose a location oriented toward existing and planned future transit
opportunities.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Proximity to Metro
Proximity to Highway and Road Systems
5. Plan with respect for the city's street grid.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Site shape (proportions)
Potential orientation of ballpark (sun angles, views)
6. Allow fan circulation and ancillary enterprises outside the building
footprint.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Visibility, arrival sequence and departure sequence
Ballpark plan fit /
potential for public spaces
7. Orient the ballpark to connect with urban conditions.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Vehicular circulation, service, and
special parking
Relationship to surrounding land uses
8. Disperse parking to various garages and lots within walking distance
off site.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Access to nearby garages
Access to nearby surface lots
Opportunities to develop garages/lots
9. Master plan for positive and compatible collateral development in the
area around the ballpark.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Zoning
Historic Preservation
Fine Arts and Governmental Requirements
10. Plan for maximization of attendance and revenue opportunities.
Implied Site Selection Criteria: Accessibility from entire market area
Perception of Safety
11. Any other comments?
You may fax this evaluation form to 202-610-4471 or share your
additional comments by calling 202-610-0005.
www.publicspace.justicesustainability.com/baseball |
