Sam Fortier wrote a story in the Washington Post about what could be coming at the RFK site, and when he joined Grant & Danny Thursday to discuss what he’s seen at training camp so far, the notion of the new stadium at RFK just couldn’t get off Grant & Danny’s minds.
And step one for DC, the bill in Congress being proposed by House Oversight Committee chair James Comer to extend the RFK lease, is getting bi-partisan support?
“This legislation is being co-introduced, bi-partisan, by Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District representative – and to call that an unlikely marriage is just understating it so much,” Fortier said. “Comer has been one of the main people meddling in DC affairs, vetoing a crime bill they called soft on police – so these two holding hands and putting out legislation together for the good of the District, that’s amazing. But Mayor Muriel Bowser met with him, and this legislation really is a byproduct of the Mayor going to the Hill as a Commanders lobbyist, and it’s a big win for everyone.”
Norton had been critical of Comey’s actions in the past, so Danny wondered if something else had to happen – namely, something going on behind the scenes that caused Norton to change her mind. Perhaps that’s due in part to someone else who was opposed to the idea?
“It’s a big departure, and her rationale on the record was that her holdup was always that if she were going to lead the bill, the Mayor and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson had to be in agreement on how to use the land – and Mendelson has been staunchly opposed,” Fortier said. “He still wants to see the findings of the Wilkinson report, which is highly unlikely, but he has maintained that’s what he needs to see. Our understanding is that he withdrew his opposition, saying even though he still wants to see the report, because of what’s going on with the franchise, he’s withdrawing his opposition to this. Ultimately, that was enough for Norton to sign on.”
So, what comes next?
“There are still a bunch of hurdles, but this will give DC more control over the land at the RFK site. They still lease it, but the previous lease only went through 2038, and the land usage was restricted to sports, recreation, and entertainment, so you couldn’t do the mixed-use development so many owners want,” Fortier said. “This amendment extends the lease for 99 years and removes usage restrictions, so I assume that down the road, you’ll see the Mayor try to satisfy the inevitable opponents with x amount of affordable housing and other things.”
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Danny knows it’s all ‘a political shell game,’ but how did some of those opponents get appeased, or what do they need to be satisfied once all the money starts rolling in?
“I don’t know if the vocal opponents will ever be appeased. For example, when baseball was coming back to DC, Mendelson voted against it a number of times, and it passed 7-6 and three of the seven votes were lame ducks leaving office,” Fortier said. “It’s possible those people never get appeased, but it’s important to remember that RFK is in Ward 6, which is represented by Charles Allen, who is a vocal opponent. Last year, he sent that letter to Norton saying the Council was opposed – so if this legislation passes the House and Senate and becomes law, then it’s up to the DC Council, and all you need is seven votes. You don’t need more than that, so you don’t need to satisfy everyone.”
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