District begins land quest for stadium site on Anacostia

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A national hospitality company that owns the most expensive of dozens of properties that the District must buy to build a $440 million ballpark in Southeast expressed an interest yesterday in providing stadium concessions.

"We would definitely be interested in doing the concessions there. That's what we do," said Robin Thurman, vice president of business development for Guest Services Inc., which provides food services for many agencies and businesses, including The Washington Times.

The Fairfax-based company owns a warehouse at 1400 South Capitol St. SE.

In the next three weeks, city officials will start contacting Guest Services and other owners of at least 60 parcels that the District needs to build a stadium along the Anacostia River. The land -- which comprises auto shops, vacant lots, a paving plant and nightclubs -- is worth more than $33.4 million, according to an analysis of 2005 property-tax assessments.

The properties are located between N and P streets, and between First and South Capitol streets, according to city records. City officials say they hope to purchase the properties through negotiations, but they could take the land through eminent domain.

Ms. Thurman said Guest Services doesn't oppose baseball coming to the District, even if it means the company will have to relocate its warehouse.

"Our position is that what is good for D.C. is good for Guest Services Inc.," she said. "All we ask for is that we get a fair price for the property."

The warehouse is worth $6.1 million, but Ms. Thurman said that figure may be low in light of the city's booming real estate market.

One nearby property, at 1315 First St. SE, was purchased by a company called WSI Acquisition Co. for $2.2 million in 1999. Tax records show that the property is now assessed at $3 million.

City officials say they plan to begin determining a fair price for each of the properties in meetings with property owners in the area this month.