WASHINGTON — The D.C. Council approved the District of Columbia Soccer Stadium Act of 2014 on Wednesday, approving development of a new stadium for D.C. United in the Buzzard Point neighborhood.

The 20,000-25,000 seat facility in Southwest Washington has a target open date of 2017.

“This is a moment that is the final product of a collective effort of all of those, on and off the field, who have ever worn the Black-and-Red and proudly represented D.C. United over the last two decades,” said Managing General Partner Jason Levien in a letter to season ticket holders.

D.C. United was founded in 1996 and has called RFK Stadium home throughout its existence. A proposal for a new stadium has been discussed officially since 2012, and an agreement was first transmitted to the D.C. Council in May of this year.

Prior to Wednesday’s decision, the bill received unanimous approval by four D.C. Council committees, as well as in its first reading by the full Council on Dec. 2.

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