Potomac Nationals Closer to New Stadium in Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, VA — New stadium deals are one of the toughest hurdles in any municipality nationwide, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved.

As an applicable example, look no farther than a bit down the road in Richmond, where talks to replace The Diamond, former home of the Class AAA Braves and now home of the Class AA Flying Squirrels, have been breaking down for years after starts and stops.

Which brings us to the Potomac Nationals, a Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, and their aging Pfitzner Stadium.

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 5-3 earlier this week to enter a non-binding letter of intent with P-Nats owner Art Silber and the developer of Potomac Town Center for construction of a $35 million, 6,000-7,000-seat baseball stadium and a 1,400-space commuter parking garage.

So, it's a done deal? Ha!

Here's what Board of Supervisors chairman (and GOP gubernatorial candidate) Corey Steward had to say in a release:

"There are a lot of details to iron out still, However, this assures the commitment from all parties to continue in our good faith negotiations to find a way to keep the Potomac Nationals here in Prince William County."

The county would pay the developer up to $7 million in up-front costs for site preparation for the stadium and parking garage, but if preparation costs wind up exceeding that total, the county has the right to withdraw from the project.

And as always is the case in things of this ilk, the devil most assuredly will show up in the details.

So stay tuned.

Artist rendering via the Potomac Nationals