Baseball

So we will have baseball. I'm slightly ambivalent about baseball coming to DC. I don't have any particular nostalgia about baseball. I do feel conflicted about the City government mobilizing to bring baseball to Washington when it can't do the same to meet many of the area's other needs. But this is gross receipts tax (essentially creating a funding source that did not previously exist), and the District and it's citizens aren't really spending money on the project (except that they really will have to make changes to that sorry station they call Navy Yard). I've been to the proposed sight of the stadium and I know what's located nearby. The area is already changing a great deal (there is tons of construction going on). Currently the immediate area looks like crap, and the development is mostly across the street from the Navy Yard. Hopefully the stadium can speed up development in the area. At the same time, I regret that the plans call for displacing residents and businesses (like the Washington Sculpture Studio), that stuck it out when nobody else would. Hopefully residents and businesses (there aren't really that many in this area anyway) will get a good price (one that will provide the opportunity for comparable housing or business space in the District). The major sore spot with this project (aside from fears about taxpayer money being ill-spent and handouts being made to rich white men) is the idea that the Williams administration caters to the haves over the have-nots. In general, I like Williams (I hope he's right about this baseball thing because sports stadiums are a risky deal). He's smart, and he's honest, and he conducts himself respectfully (three things that aren't exactly givens for politicians in DC). Williams is not exciting. He's an egg-head, but he's done a lot of good for The District of Columbia. Obviously this is not just about baseball.