Mayor Williams, New Team Owners, Washington Nationals Break Ground for New Ballpark

Contact (Media Only): Vince Morris (202) 727-5011; Sharon Gang (202) 727-5011

(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams, the Ted Lerner family and other owner partners, Team Manager Frank Robinson, members of the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission (DCSEC), and members of the DC Council today broke ground at the site of the future home of the Washington Nationals at Half and O Streets, SE, which will be the infield of the new park. Last year, after a 34-year absence, Major League Baseball returned to the nation’s capital at historic RFK Memorial Stadium.

“As we put our shovels into the ground today, we’re literally beginning the construction of a new future for this part of Southeast Washington,” said Mayor Williams. “Locating the ballpark here along the Anacostia River will reinforce the connections among neighborhoods on both sides of the river. With a revitalized Anacostia waterfront, we will bring in more than $80 million a year in new tax revenue in coming years, money that can be used for critical social programs to help our neediest residents, school improvements for our children and critical road, bridge and construction projects to make our city even stronger.”

The ballpark is expected to open in time for the 2008 season.

The new ballpark, located in Southeast Washington along the Anacostia River Waterfront will serve as the cornerstone of a new mixed-use waterfront district. The exterior façade of the 41,000 seat facility will employ an innovative use of building materials including glass, natural stone, structural steel and concrete. The new ballpark features a number of fan amenities and promises to be the first MLB ballpark accredited as a “*LEED-certified” environmentally friendly building.

The ballpark was designed by DC-based Devrouax & Purnell Architects who partnered in a joint-venture with the sports division of Kansas City-based Hellmuth, Obata and Kass