Nats, City Continue to Look for Alternative Parking

WASHINGTON - Baseball fans may not have seen the last of RFK Stadium even when the new stadium opens in 2008.

City and team officials are looking at alternatives for parking at the new stadium. The D.C. Council recently agreed on a plan to build the required 1,225 parking spaces at the Southeast site, but there are concerns that more spaces will be needed.

One option is having fans and stadium employees park at RFK Stadium and take a free shuttle bus to the new stadium. According to a spokesperson for the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, a Transportation Operations Parking Plan includes the RFK shuttle as a possibility.

The Nationals want to know what the fans think. The team just sent a survey to season ticket holders asking how they plan to get to the new stadium.

The survey asks several questions about taking Metro to RFK and to the new stadium, it also asks if they would consider the RFK shuttle as an option. RFK is just a short drive from the new stadium site.

A spokesperson for the Nationals would not comment.

Other options being considered include contracting with private parking lots near the new stadium. Residents near RFK have voiced their concerns about using the stadium parking lots once the team moves into the new stadium.

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