WTOP reports that Judge Zeldon "has granted the D.C. government possession of land for the new baseball stadium, clearing the way for construction to begin." The ruling says that the landowners must vacate the properties no later than March 27. As I understand it (it's not clear from this article, but I believe all will be revealed by late this evening), this ruling covers only 5 of the 16 properties seized by eminent domain. UPDATE: Here is the Post story, "5 Landowners Ordered to Quit Stadium Site." Alas, no graphic to go with the Post story, so you'll just have to deal with my incredibly low-tech map showing which parcels are referenced in today's order. The story also says the stadium's design will be unveiled by Mayor Bow Tie on Tuesday. UPDATE II: Here's the Washington Blade piece on the evictions, written from the standpoint that the O Street clubs were not part of this eviction order.

There's more links and information available now about the possible designs unveiled on Wednesday for the new South Capitol Street Bridge.You can see fun 3D videos of the different designs at the South Capitol Street Bridge Study site. (Do you think we can infer from the number of different videos available for each option that the "Cable Stayed Swing Bridge" might be the designers' favorite?) There is also a press release from DDOT, saying that there will be a community meeting in April to solicit comments on the design, and also to give an update on the project. The draft Environmental Impact Statement will be released in June. And, a bit more detail on the interim work that will be done on the existing bridge: "Starting this summer, the bridge will be rehabilitated to ensure its continued safety and use. The work includes new lighting, better sidewalks and a new coat of paint. In addition two blocks of the elevated viaduct will be removed and replaced with an at-grade roadway, greatly improving the appearance and pedestrian access along South Capitol Street." Wow, wonder how that's gonna work?

With the stadium now a certainty, the Washington Blade piece "Eviction Imminent for O Street Gay Clubs" discusses councilmember Graham's plan to petition the zoning commission for a one-time waver of zoning rules to allow gay entertainment clubs displaced by a new baseball stadium to move to new locations. More tidbits: Club Washington's closing (mentioned in this entry) was because the building's owner reached an agreement to sell the property to the city rather than continuing to fight the eminent domain seizure. Also, apparently Judge Zeldon said at the hearing on evictions two weeks ago that she would give businesses 10 days to vacate the properties at the time she issues the eviction order (the article says she is expected to do so in the next week or two). And this somewhat surprising comment toward the end, referring to club owner Robert Siegel, who has been offered $7 million for his properties but is going to court to fight for a higher amount: "Some critics say that Siegels push for more money and his claim of the citys reported failure to seriously help him relocate his businesses may be insincere." Meow!

It hasn't been posted on their web site yet, but the agenda for Tuesday's ANC 6D meeting has a couple Near Southeast-related items: recommendations by Development Committee on Closing Of Public Alleys In Square 743N, a presentation by the DC Preservation League on a possible Historic Designation of Navy Yard Car Barn, i.e., the "Blue Castle" (the case is coming before the DC Historic Preservation Review Board on March 23); and a presentation of the 11th Street Bridges study. It's at 7 pm Tuesday, at 65 I Street SW. UPDATE: I've been told that additional items have been added, both of which are Near Southeast-related: a request for support by the Van Ness Elementary principal to keep the school open (I've heard in the past that it would be closing, but that it would be temporary, maybe things have changed?), and an update from the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission about the new baseball stadium. Also, here are the minutes from the February meeting.

An article in MetroWeekly (DC's Gay and Lesbian Magazine) says that the Club Washington bathhouse has now closed, having received an eviction notice on Feb. 28 (not from the city, but for nonpayment of rent). But with the stadium now a go, it's only a matter of time before the rest of the gay-themed businesses on O Street close. MetroWeekly also has "Last Call on O Street," a Flash presentation that takes "one last look at some of the faces of O Street."

Nothing much new in the Post's "A Red-Cap Day for Williams"--Tony's happy, David Catania's unhappy, stadiums spur economic development, yadda yadda yadda...

WTOP reports on four possible designs for the new South Capitol Street Bridge. The article is somewhat confusing (although maybe it's my stadium hangover), but it does say that construction of the "moveable" bridge won't begin until 2011 (for non-bridge-o-philes like me, "moveable" means a drawbridge, not that the bridge itself will move--the bridge needs to be able to allow ships to reach the Navy Yard). However, the existing bridge also needs work so that it can remain in service while the new bridge is built. There's also mention of a "first phase" that will convert South Capitol Street from an expressway to a boulevard--I think that's the improvements to South Capitol Street that are coming this summer, not as a beginning phase of construction in 2011. (I'd tell you more about the plans for work on South Capitol Street this summer, but alas the DDOT web site doesn't have anything, at least not that I can find.) And, if you use the bridge frequently, be prepared, the article says that it's possible it will have to be closed during August 2006. More as I find out.

Here we go! Time to play the Stadium Design Guessing Game, this time courtesy of Thomas Boswell's column: "'I hope the new park looks like the rest of the city with all the pillars and white stone,' said [veteran reliever Joey] Eischen. 'Go to the stadium and it would be a little bit like walking into the Lincoln Memorial, but it's your ballpark. Fans would love it. 'Come check it out.' Even Robinson could not resist playing what will soon be Washington's leading parlor game: amateur stadium architect. 'I hope our new ballpark sets a new trend and doesn't just follow one,' said Robinson. 'When Dodger Stadium arrived, I think it was the first big league park that looked out into the landscape -- at the [San Gabriel] mountains. Royals Stadium [in Kansas City] felt unique with the waterfalls. Camden Yards set a new direction, too.Just so long as you can see the U.S. Capitol from some spot in the ballpark, that's all people will talk about. When the new San Francisco ballpark opened, everybody raved about the views [of the Bay]. Well, you had to go in the upper deck to see the water. But that's what you heard about. Just make sure you can see the Capitol from some seats.'"

Technically, it was a formality (although with this crew, you never know), but the final reading of the stadium lease agreement just passed the city council, 9-4. Will post stories here as they become available.

More posts: West Half St., Metro/WMATA, staddis, Nationals Park, zoning