City leaders grant final permission for construction of new stadium on RFK site, as decided by local council
After a long-drawn-out process, the Washington Commanders have finally secured approval to build a new stadium in the heart of Washington D.C. The decision, made by the D.C. Council in a 11-2 vote on Wednesday, marks a significant milestone for the football team, which will return to D.C. after almost 30 years in Landover, Maryland.
The new 65,000-seat stadium will be built on the site of the former RFK Stadium, which closed in September 2019. RFK Stadium, named after Robert F. Kennedy, was home to the Redskins from 1961-96, the Washington Senators from 1962-71, and D.C. United from 1996-2017. The financing and construction of the new stadium are primarily supported by the Washington D.C. Council, with no specific private or additional public entities detailed in the search results.
The process hit a snag in July when President Donald Trump objected to the team's refusal to revert to its former Redskins name. Trump criticized the team during his announcement reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test. However, the Commanders' owner, Josh Harris, has stated that the team's name will remain as the Commanders moving forward.
The Commanders' pursuit of playing at the old RFK Stadium site took a major step forward last month with the initial approval by the D.C. Council. The team considered multiple sites in Washington, Maryland, and Virginia before pursuing the RFK Stadium location. The redevelopment project includes 6,000 housing units, retail space, parkland, and a new stadium.
The city gained control of the RFK Stadium site earlier this year, following Congress passing legislation signed by President Joe Biden in January. In April, an agreement on the $3.8 billion redevelopment project for the RFK Stadium site was announced by Josh Harris, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Owner Josh Harris expressed gratitude for the approval and the support of Mayor Bowser, the council, and various community leaders. He referred to the approval as a historic day for D.C., the Commanders organization, and their fans. The new stadium is expected to be completed and open by 2030, bringing lasting economic growth for the city of D.C.
However, there were concerns about last-minute new demands from the D.C. Council. Most of the proposed amendments were rejected during Wednesday's session, ensuring a smooth path for the project's approval. The Commanders' owner, Josh Harris, stated that the achievement wouldn't have been possible without the support of various community, business, and labor leaders.
The new stadium will mark a new era for the Washington Commanders, providing a long-awaited home in the nation's capital and offering fans an exciting experience for years to come.
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