Major League Baseball announced its decision to move the Montreal Expos to the District of Columbia last Wednesday in a phone call to city hall following a competition among several North American cities.
Some challenges still need to be overcome before the Expos arrive in D.C. for a prospected 2005 season, including a vote at the November owners’ meeting, passage of legislation in the D.C. City Council and subsequent approval by Congress. D.C. was chosen over several other cities, including Norfolk, Va. and Monterrey, Mexico.
“Washington, D.C., as our nation’s capital, is one of the world’s most important cities,” MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a written statement. “We in Major League Baseball believe that baseball will be welcomed there and be a great success.”
The Legislation that must pass the City Council entails issuing almost $500 million in revenue bonds to fund the renovation of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Southeast D.C. until the eventual construction of a new baseball stadium along the Anacostia river, at a total cost of $440 million.
The Mayor has promised that the money will not come from D.C. taxpayers but from a lease paid by the team’s future owners, taxes on the ballpark and a special tax paid by businesses grossing over $3 million dollars. The city predicts revitalized economy in the area.
“The idea is that this will generate billions of dollars in new development,” Gang said. “Thirty-five hundred construction jobs will be created. When construction is completed, there will be 360 jobs for team and ballpark operations.”
Though Mark Johnson, a spokesperson for Council Chair Linda Cropp, predicted that the funding package would pass the Council before the end of the year, several council members have expressed opposition to the baseball-related construction, questioning the city’s commitment to social and educational programs.
Gang defended the Mayor’s record, noting increases in spending on these programs.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that David A. Catania (I-At Large) and Adrian M. Fenty (D-Ward 4) will oppose the legislation. Vincent C. Gray, who will likely win election to the Council after his victory in last month’s Democratic primary, is also against the bill.
The Post also reported a group of one hundred protesters ranging from homeless activists to education advocates demonstrating outside city hall Wednesday.
Baseball left the district in 1971 when the then-Washington Senators traveled west to become the Texas Rangers.
Riots and a declining economy lessened the franchise’s profitability, according to MLB.
The last game in the city ended in forfeiture to the New York Yankees when fans stormed the field in the final inning.
