Congress close to allowing Commanders to build new D.C. stadium
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Photo: Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Washington Commanders and Mayor Muriel Bowser are likely getting their Christmas wish.
Why it matters: Congress is on track to give the District long-term control of the federal RFK Stadium site, enabling a marquee redevelopment project that could bring the football team back to D.C.
State of play: The RFK legislation is attached to the must-pass spending bill Congress released on Tuesday.
- Lawmakers are expected to approve the package by midnight Friday to avert a government shutdown.
Context: The legislation will allow D.C. to transform 170 acres on the Anacostia River into a sports and entertainment district, with a new stadium, parkland, shops and homes. It has taken over a year of lobbying from the franchise, NFL, and District to get here.
What they're saying: Bowser said in a statement after the package was released that "the potential is great" for a "renaissance" that includes sports, housing, green space, and "monumental views of our Nation's Capital."
- "Without Congressional action, this land would remain vacant, leaving ongoing maintenance costs and liabilities to burden the American taxpayer," Rep. James Comer (R-Ky), who was instrumental in moving the bill through the House, said in a statement.
What's next: If all goes according to plan, D.C. can formally begin negotiations with franchise owner Josh Harris and co.
- In the new year, a term sheet agreement between D.C. and the franchise could spell out the broad parameters of a stadium deal, including the extent of public funding.
Bowser has suggested spending taxpayer dollars on upgrading underlying infrastructure and covering environmental remediation costs.
- But any deal will need approval from the progressive-leaning D.C. Council.
- They will be much more skeptical of any public giveaway to a billionaire sports team owner. That's despite the nostalgia of wanting the team back in Washington, where it called home during three Super Bowl wins.
The team can still decide after all this to remain in Maryland and redevelop or renovate Northwest Stadium, though it appears Harris is looking for a new home.
- Harris has said he wants to be in a new stadium by 2030.