The RFK Stadium Bill, which will allow the Washington Commanders to return to the District in time for the 2030 season, has finally overcome a major obstacle, passing the D.C. City Council’s initial vote for approval was 9-3 in favor.
While the bill will still require another final vote at some point in September, the passage of the RFK Stadium Bill is massive news for the Washington Commanders and their goal to return to the District in the near future.
What the RFK Stadium Bill passing means for the Commanders and D.C.
The RFK Stadium Bill’s first vote was a major obstacle that needed to be passed for the Commanders to return to the District; however, the D.C. City Council will hold another vote in September for final approval before going to Mayor Bowser for her signature.
The Washington Commanders organization and supporters of the new stadium deal have celebrated winning the vote as a major victory for their side.
What the RFK Stadium Bill included
The RFK Stadium Deal was renegotiated between the D.C. City Council and the Washington Commanders organization, following the initial presentation of the deal from Mayor Bowser earlier this year.
The approved legislation allocates a total of $1.1 billion of city funds to be allocated to the rebuild, while the Washington Commanders will provide the remaining $2.7 billion for the project.
Now, the 180-acre area surrounding the RFK Stadium site will undergo some drastic renovations to provide a cutting-edge new “Super Bowl-ready” stadium in time for the 2030 NFL season, and also refurbish the surrounding area with new housing and retail locations.
While the stadium itself and infrastructure like parking will be prioritized for completion by 2030, the exact timeline for the proposed housing and retail locations is less clear, with some estimating it could take until the early 2040s to complete everything.
Who voted for and against the RFK Stadium Deal?
As we mentioned earlier, the D.C. City Council voted 9-3 in favor of the RFK Stadium Deal.
Council members who voted in favor of the stadium deal were:
- Chairman Phil Mendelson
- Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
- Councilmember Anita Bonds
- Councilmember Christina Henderson
- Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto
- Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese George
- Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker
- Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen
- Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder
The council members who voted in opposition to the stadium deal were:
- Councilmember Brianne Nadeau
- Councilmember Robert White
- Councilmember Matthew Frumin
Of the three council members, each shared reservations about the deal and its impact on housing, labor, and public spending. They mentioned that their vote could be swayed by the next vote if concessions are made in these areas.