D.C. Stadium Wins Approval, But Community Reinvestment May Lose

The D.C. City Council voted yesterday to approve a new Major League baseball stadium along the Anacostia River. The final vote will take place in December. Opponents of the bill cited the escalating costs, estimated as high as $584 million, of publically financing the stadium through bonds and special business taxes.The version of bill approved by a vote of 6-4 (3 abstaining) lacks funding to city libraries and schools that was initially promised by the mayor. When questioned about the lack of majority support, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams said, "Sometimes good things come in a close race." Yesterday's vote makes the stadium and its location a near-guaruntee for final approval. City officials hope that the stadium will spark economic development in one of the city's poorest and blighted neighborhoods.

Thanks to Peter Buryk