You may recall some of the talk about a Water Taxi Service to Nationals Park. From the very first days of the South Capitol Street location being named as the stadium sight--some fans, some businesses and even some front office staff for Our Washington Nationals have all mentioned the possibility.
With Year Two of Nationals Park close at hand--we went looking for an update. And found out there has been little movement on making a water taxi service to the ballpark a possibility. The District Of Columbia Government has yet to move on even a single proposal for a dock adjacent to the ballpark. In fact, there have been no proposals. With the economy in such a downturn--Ballpark District Development has slowed a bit. Which also means Florida Rock--the cement company located on Potomac Avenue SE--may not be in a hurry to vacate their business property, as planned, to lead the re-development of the Anacostia Waterfront. And if the Anacostia Waterfront project is put off until the economy rebounds--you can bet Florida Rock is not going to want to sit on newly vacant property when their cement business can still churn over dollars for their coffers. That would not be sound business.
As for the potential Water Taxi operators, Potomac Riverboat Company told us they would love to sell The African Queen, me or anyone else wanting a ticket to Nationals Park from Alexandria, Virginia on one of their boats. But only as soon as the pylons begin to be driven for a new dock next to Nationals Park.
So it's probably safe to say: any Water Taxi to Nationals Park is not going to begin operations in 2009--either.
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Thanks for the update. Even though I don't personally have a use for the water taxi, it would be a great add-on to the landscape/seascape as well as another draw to get extra customers to the ballpark.
ReplyDeleteOne day over the rainbow....
any news on naming rights to stadium and the baseball above the red porch?
ReplyDeleteSBF,
ReplyDeleteAt her blog, JD provided the following info yesterday:
http://jdland.com/dc/index.cfm
"Also from the BID, news that the Earth Conservation Corps has scheduled a dedication ceremony for Diamond Teague Park on April 28. I've been told that if all goes "as planned," the construction of the in-water structures (the docks and the construction of the in-water structures (the docks and the piers) should be completed by Opening Day, though the plantings and other work on the dry-land portion of the park would be completed by the beginning of July."
Does this mean we might see water taxi service once this work is completed?
Thanks.
Jay beat me to it.
ReplyDeleteMore information on Diamond Teague Park is here: http://www.jdland.com/dc/ecc.cfm
You can see construction is taking place.
And Anonymous... let the baseball go. Just let it go.
Actually, Stan Kasten did address the issue of the giant baseball in response to a question at NatsFest. The idea of something in that spot is not dead, but he said it needs to be something iconic that will make the stadium uniquely recognizable, and that they need to find a sponsor for it. That last bit I'm sure is the more important part. Look for something iconic like the giant Coke bottle in SF once they do get something in there.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame that the economic meltdown is going to pretty much cripple the development along Half Street that I was so looking forward to, to make the Nats gameday experience more on par with that of Camden Yards, Wrigley, Fenway, and many other stadiums surrounded by bar/entertainment districts. Guess for the foreseeable future it'll still be "get off Metro 25 minutes before first pitch, get on Metro as fast as possible after game"
ReplyDeleteJeremy,
ReplyDeleteI’ve had the same thoughts.
There is, however, one bit of good news I suppose.
As laid out by JD at her blog, The Yards will see some spots open up next year. This includes The Foundry Lofts, Waterfront Park, and redevelopment of The Boilermaker Shop (retail) and the Old Lumber Storage Shed (restaurant pavilion).
http://jdland.com/dc/sfc.cfm
I live near Old Town so I envision taking the ferry over, have a drink and dinner there at The Yards, walk over to the game, and then take the ferry back.
Any news on weather the water taxi or dock for that matter will be in place for the 2010 season?
ReplyDeleteSean: Yes, the water taxi will be operating for about 60 home games in 2009. Check the Water Taxi stories on Nats320 from 3/15/10 and 3/18/10
ReplyDeletehttp://nats320.blogspot.com/2010/03/2010-water-taxi-tickets-plus-free.html