Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key information about the Washington Commanders‘ stadium plans:
Main Event: The D.C. Council has voted to approve plans for a new football stadium for the Washington Commanders at the site of the former RFK Stadium.
Vote Details:
The council voted 9-3.
This vote was not enough to meet the required two-thirds majority for final approval.
A second vote is scheduled for September 17th.
Multiple sources indicate the team has been told they can proceed with plans, as the second vote is expected to yield the same result.
The project:
Location: the site of the former RFK Stadium (home from 1961-1996).
Development: The 174-acre property will be a mixed-use facility, including housing, a sports complex, and retail shops.
Stadium Type: Domed stadium. A retractable roof is absolutely possible but likely cost-prohibitive.
Timeline Target: The team aims for the stadium to open in 2030, potentially to host events like the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Infrastructure Work: Mayor Muriel Bowser suggests infrastructure work could begin in “early next year,” with “shovels in the ground this time next year.”
Financials:
Commanders’ Investment: $2.7 billion (including cost overruns).
district’s Contribution: $1 billion.
Renegotiated Terms: Expected to net around $779 million for the city over 30 years through revenue and/or cost savings.
Parking Revenue: The district can levy an 18% tax on parking revenue for stadium upkeep.Commanders’ Rationale and History:
Return to RFK: This was the sentimental site for fans and owner Josh Harris, who grew up attending games there.
RFK’s Success: The team enjoyed meaningful success at RFK (1972-1992), playing in five Super Bowls and winning three.
current Home: The team currently plays in Landover, Maryland, where the stadium was built by former owner Jack Kent Cooke.
Post-RFK Performance: Since moving to Maryland in 1997, the association has had fewer winning seasons and postseason appearances compared to the RFK era.
“DMV” Representation: Owner Josh Harris wants to represent the entire “DMV” region (District, Maryland, and Virginia). Training/HQ: The team will continue to train in Ashburn, Virginia, and have its headquarters in College Park, Maryland.
Factors Enabling the Return to D.C.:
Dan Snyder putting the team up for sale.
Josh Harris buying the team in July 2023. Congress leasing the federal land to the district for 99 years. Last-minute deals with council members.
Arguments for Approval:
Job Creation: Immediate job creation from stadium construction. Economic Benefits: A council budget office study indicated a new stadium would generate economic benefits six years earlier than a mixed-use development alone.
Lack of Alternatives: No other private investor has presented an alternative proposal for the RFK site.
Key Figures Mentioned:
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser: Expressed optimism about the timeline and benefits.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson: Discussed renegotiated terms benefiting the city.
Owner Josh Harris: Focused on returning to RFK and representing the DMV.
Former Owner Jack Kent Cooke: Built the current Maryland stadium.
In essence, the D.C. Council has taken a significant step towards bringing the Commanders back to their historic home at RFK Stadium,with a significant financial commitment from both the team and the district,and a target opening date of 2030.
