Legislation to Facilitate Construction of Stadium at RFK Site Receives Initial Hearings

A bill aimed at revitalizing the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is scheduled for two committee hearings next week. The legislation, known as the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Revitalization Act, was introduced by Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, and co-sponsored by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. It has received bipartisan support.

The bill would allow for the redevelopment of the aging stadium and the surrounding land, potentially including the construction of a mixed-use development, such as a new stadium, residential and commercial buildings, and recreation facilities. The administrative jurisdiction of the site would be transferred from the Secretary of the Interior to the Administrator of the General Services Administration, enabling the District to revamp the area. The lease on the campus, which is set to expire in 2038, would also be extended for up to 99 years.

The House Oversight Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee will hold hearings on the bill. The House Natural Resources Committee will be the first to weigh in on September 19th, followed by Rep. Comer’s panel the following day.

Although the legislation does not guarantee the construction of a new stadium, it could influence the decision of the Commanders, the team’s new owner, Josh Harris, and Congress. The funding for the stadium construction is expected to come from private developers, according to the D.C. Council Chair. Additionally, the Commanders and Mr. Harris are considering proposals from Virginia and Maryland for a new stadium.

If the bill is advanced by Congress, it may encourage the Commanders and Mr. Harris to move from their current home at FedEx Field. This move could signify a fresh start for the team, which recently separated from its controversy-ridden former owner, Dan Snyder. The Commanders’ lease at FedEx Field is set to expire in 2027, but Mr. Harris and the team’s ownership group have expressed their intention to renovate the stadium.

Focus keyword: RFK site construction, stadium redevelopment, legislation hearings