By David Rusk
April 14, 2022
Preface: This is the twenty-sixth in a series of Tales from Buzzard Point that explores the rich traditions and myths surrounding the legendary DC United soccer team and its fabled history at Buzzard Point. The Tales from Buzzard Point are historical fiction and parody.
Editor's Note: Recently I came across this article in The Evening Star. The article is about the recent action of the DC City Council to ban Austin Cars from the proximity of Buzzard Point during a soccer match featuring DC United and Austin FC.
Parking at Buzzard Point for Austin Automobiles is Restricted during Game Day
by Penelope Featherton
The Evening Star
February 24, 2022
DMV drivers are long familiar with downtown street closures because of major demonstrations, rallies, parades, and other large-scale public events.
However, Saturday night brings a unique kind of street closure. Streets in Buzzard Point will be closed to only one type of motorist – those driving or seeking to park British-made Austin automobiles.
The event is DC United’s match against visiting Austin FC and the British-made cars are banned as a special provision of the local soccer club’s naming rights agreement with Audi USA for its soccer stadium at Buzzard Point.
That agreement specified that no rival autos bearing a soccer rivals’ name can drive or park within Buzzard Point on match days. This agreement is approved by the DC Council. The banned cars are the Austin Seven and the Austin Healey 3000.
From 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight Austin automobiles will not be permitted on:
P Street SW;
2nd Street SW from P Street to historic Buzzard Point;
The west side of South Capitol Bridge from P Street to the Frederick Douglass Bridge; and
Buzzard Point’s internal streets (Potomac Avenue SW, Half Street SW, 1st Street SW, 2nd Street SW, and Q, R S, T and V Streets SW (see map).
Per DC Code Sect. 2217.2, fines of $500.00 will be levied for each Austin entering and/or parking on a “barricaded or closed street”. In addition, anyone entering the banned area with a green Austin will be guilty of the misdemeanor of disorderly conduct per DC Code Sec. 22-1321(b). They will be subject to a fine of up to $500.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both.
Bringing a green Austin is clearly such a provocative act akin to “loud, threatening, or abusive language, or disruptive conduct, with the intent and effect of impeding or disrupting the orderly conduct of a lawful public gathering.” DC United matches clearly are a lawful public gathering.
Austins Sevens (1922-1939) and Austin Healeys (1959-1968) have not been manufactured for decades. They are now considered “vintage cars” that are worth depending on their condition between $27,000 and $81,000.
The DC government has announced that all fines will be donated to the local non-profit organization DC Scores. DC Scores is an afterschool program that uses participation in soccer as an incentive for DC children to achieve success in their education.
DC United also assures that all Austin fans who who do not drive Austin vehicles to the soccer match will be welcome at Audi Field at Buzzard Point.
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