By Councilman Zackary Parker (D-Ward 5)
Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
There’s been a lot of buzz this week around a proposal for the future of the RFK Stadium site. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on May 5 to announce a deal to bring the Commanders back to Washington, D.C., and develop the site with a new stadium, housing, retail and more.
While there’s much to discuss around the details of this proposal, it’s worth pausing to name what an exciting time this is. For decades, the District had little say in what happened at the RFK Stadium site as it languished under federal control and became a massive, vacant, fenced-off part of our city. Now, thanks to legislation passed in Congress just a few months ago, the site is as it should have always been: in the hands of the people of D.C.
As the mayor’s proposal now comes to the Council for consideration, I want to reiterate what I shared on the topic months ago: the Council cannot serve as a rubber stamp for whatever deal comes our way. The current deal was negotiated without input from the Council or neighbors, and it is vital that we shape the future of these 180 acres at RFK together.
To this end, I hope you will join me for a Community Listening Session on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Two Rivers Public Charter School (830 26th St. NE).
All neighbors are welcome, and the conversation will focus especially on those in Ward 5 who stand to be most impacted by development at the site: Carver-Langston and Trinidad neighbors.
We will be joined by leadership from the Washington Commanders and representatives from Mayor Bowser’s team as they present on the current proposal. The future of RFK should be shaped by all of us. Please plan to attend by registering here.