The D.C. Council has signaled it has the majority consensus to effectively kill all future discussions of building a new stadium at the site of RFK Stadium.
In a letter written to Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.'s sole delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives, and signed by seven of 13 councilmembers, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen says the debate over that site is over.
Those councilmembers believe the site is best suited for new housing "at various levels of affordability," new parks and green spaces, new retail and economic opportunities that create jobs and careers, along with environmental protections along the shores of the Anacostia River — all with Metro access.
"But we also want to make clear that we believe a future football stadium at this site is incompatible with this vision," Allen writes.
"We all hope that the Washington Commanders can address its ownership's many off-the-field failures — in particular its failure to provide a safe working environment for women — and, secondarily, can return to its former glory on the field," Allen goes on to write. "However, we believe that this riverfront property, one of the last large undeveloped parcels of land in the District, must be utilized in the best interest of District residents. Study after study have shown that there is no economic benefit to cities that subsidize professional football stadiums, and the attendant vast parking lots, for use 8-10 times per year."
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Allen goes on to reiterate that a stadium is not the best use of the land, adding a dig, "and we all know that no matter what promises the Commanders make about their willingness to pay for a stadium, District taxpayers will end up footing the bill for any number of costs."
The Commanders are on the verge of losing support in Virginia as well. A vote on a bill that would partially fund a new stadium in the commonwealth is on hold, with growing speculation that it doesn't have the votes to pass.
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