RFK stadium land resolution given new life after removal from CR

A lingering issue plaguing an area near the nation's capital reared its head amid last week's government funding battle, and though a potential solution was initially dropped from the continuing resolution (CR) that ultimately passed, it went on to receive new life in the Senate.

As the Washington Examiner reports, a provision designed to give local Washington, D.C. officials control of the stadium land that was home to RFK Stadium was removed from the final CR after its inclusion in an earlier version of the bill but was later the subject of a successful separate Senate resolution.

DC leaders push for local control

The stadium site has been abandoned and in need of redevelopment, with local officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, hopeful that productive solutions and new uses for the land can be found.

Bowser has floated the idea of converting the area into a sports and recreation complex that would incorporate pedestrian bridges as well as a market hall, not to mention a memorial space for the prior venue's namesake, Robert F. Kennedy.

After the measure's initial removal from the funding CR, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) gave voice to her feelings of frustration.

“While I am disappointed that the House-passed version of the CR did not contain the bill, which I've worked on since 2017, I am hopeful that D.C. will eventually get control of the land and transform it from crumbling blight to a productive and bustling complex that will generate significant revenue for the nation's capital.”

Fortunately, the Senate took subsequent action on the issue, passing another resolution that would transfer the land from the federal government to the District of Columbia, with Joe Biden's signature the final step still remaining in the process.

Widespread support for transfer

In a refreshing expression of bipartisanship, Holmes-Norton and Bowser were joined by Rep. James Comer (R-KY) in working toward identifying a use for the stadium land, also collaborating with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Washington Commanders' front office.

After the resolution cleared the Senate, Comer stated, “If Congress failed to act today, this decaying land in Washington would continue to cost taxpayers a fortune to maintain.”

He went on, “Revitalizing this RFK Memorial Stadium site has been a top economic priority for the city, and I am proud to have partnered with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to get this bill across the finish line and to the president's desk.”

Comer added, “This bipartisan success is a testament ot the House Oversight Committee's unwavering effort to protect taxpayers and our full commitment to ensuring a capital that is prosperous for residents and visitors for generations to come.”

What comes next?

A Fox 5 in Washington noted, now that this hurdle has been cleared, it remains to be seen whether the Commanders franchise will opt to construct its new stadium inside the district, which would see the team move from its current home in Maryland.

As things stand, members of the D.C. Council would need to give approval for a new stadium to be constructed within district limits should the team decide to pursue that option, and as of now, there is disagreement on that issue.

Key considerations as the process unfolds will include the likely need to offer public funding incentives and an assessment of potential returns on investment, but as of now, the underlying resolution still needs the president's signature before further deliberations can occur.