Over 500 People Sign Up to Testify on RFK Stadium Deal

Public Hearing on Commanders Stadium Deal Draws Hundreds of Testimonies

More than 500 individuals are expected to speak at a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, focusing on a proposed $4 billion deal aimed at bringing the Commanders back to Washington, D.C. This initiative, first introduced by the Mayor in April, involves the construction of a 65,000-seat roofed stadium on the former RFK site. In addition to the stadium, the plan includes 6,000 residential units—1,800 of which will be affordable—as well as retail spaces, parking garages, green areas, and a sportsplex.

The Commanders are set to cover $2.7 billion of the total cost, while the District’s taxpayers would contribute approximately $1 billion. A revised agreement, announced by Chairman Phil Mendelson last week, introduces an increase of up to $949 million in tax revenue. This additional funding is intended to support the District through various sources such as parking, merchandise, food, and beverage sales. Furthermore, $50 million of this amount will be allocated to a community benefits agreement.

Supporters of the deal argue that it represents a significant opportunity for economic growth and development. Stephanie Campbell, a lifelong Washingtonian, expressed her enthusiasm for the project during her testimony. She highlighted the positive impact of the Care First Arena in Ward 8, noting how it created jobs and opportunities for local businesses. Campbell believes the new stadium will bring similar benefits to Ward 7 and the broader community.

“I’ve seen what the Care First Arena has done for Ward 8, creating jobs, creating opportunities for our CBEs,” she said. “It’s been long overdue for investment in our community, and that’s what RFK is going to do for Ward 7 and the DC residents.”

Campbell also urged her neighbors to support the project, pointing to signs outside the Wilson Building that read, “Don’t Fumble the Future. Invest in RFK.” She emphasized the importance of the jobs and livelihoods that the stadium could create.

However, not all perspectives align with this optimism. Some speakers have called for stronger protections for workers involved in the project. Markus Young, a shop steward at the Washington Convention Center and a member of Unite Local 23, stressed the need for labor guarantees. He argued that food service workers, who are often overlooked, should receive proper support and protections.

“Those jobs are important. People overlook the food service a lot. People don’t even know it is a food service union,” he explained. “If I have to give a billion dollars, you have to take care of the city.”

Others have taken a more critical stance, advocating for a different approach altogether. Ebony Payne, a resident of Ward 7 who has lived in Kingman Park since 1974, voiced concerns about how taxpayer money would be used. She criticized the idea of funding parking garages without ensuring that the community would benefit from the revenue generated.

“My family has owned our home in Kingman Park since 1974, and I’m so tired of hearing that people from DC want to see this deal as is,” she said. “We want to see our taxpayer dollars used wisely. We don’t want to pay for parking garages and not receive any of the revenue. That’s absolutely ridiculous.”

The debate over the deal remains divided among councilmembers. Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau has consistently opposed the use of taxpayer funds to support a private organization, particularly one owned by billionaires. She has become more resolute in her position as the details of the deal are scrutinized.

Meanwhile, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen raised concerns about the potential increase in traffic caused by the construction of 8,000 parking spots. He argued that the focus should be on improving transit options to accommodate the influx of fans and residents.

In contrast, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto has been a vocal supporter of the deal since its inception. She highlighted the extensive community engagement surrounding the project, noting that it has been a topic of discussion in every ward over the past five years.

A second public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, during which government witnesses—including the Mayor—will provide their input. The first vote on the deal is set for Friday.