WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson plans to parcel out part of the mayor’s deal with the Commanders to bring a stadium and mixed-use complex to Ward 7 as a separate bill.

Mendelson’s office told 7News the chairman’s budget proposal will include funding to develop the RFK campus. Then, a standalone bill will cover the development details, including how many housing units will be built, who the builders are, and what else will be on the property.

The mayor’s budget for the next fiscal year includes $972 million in capital funds for development surrounding the proposed stadium as part of her growth agenda. It’s unknown at this time how much in capital funds the chairman’s proposal, which amends the mayor’s overall budget plan, will include.

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Councilmembers, including Charles Allen, who represents Ward 6, support a standalone bill, arguing the stadium deal the mayor negotiated with the Commanders is being rushed through the council’s budget process.

“Why are we trying to rush this through in just a handful of weeks with no transparency, not even a whole hearing on it? That’s not how we do business,” he said. “Let it be something that is in front of us, debate it, hold hearings on it, get that public input, and then the council can make a better decision.”

“It is critical that we keep RFK within this [budget] bill,” countered Councilmember Wendell Felder, who represents Ward 7, home to the RFK campus. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really redevelop and transform board seven by bringing this anchor, which will bring jobs, neighborhood-serving amenities, and the host of other community benefits that neighbors strongly desire.”

A spokesperson for the Commanders sent 7News a statement, saying the team has been clear that they need a new home by 2030.

“Any delay will make us unable to deliver on that timeline as well as prevent us from attracting major concerts, performers, and international events such as the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup to D.C. This is what’s at stake for D.C. and its residents if the project is delayed,” the statement said in part.

When Mendelson submits his budget proposal and the planned standalone bill, councilmembers have the opportunity to file an amendment to vote on the development plans at the same time as the overall District’s budget.

If the development portion of the stadium deal is separated, the council wouldn’t hold public hearings on it until after they have taken care of the FY 26 budget. Mendelson’s office told 7News that means the earliest any hearings on a standalone bill would take place is late summer.

Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters at an unrelated press conference that the Commanders reached out to her upon learning the news.

“They’re outraged,” she said. “I think they feel blindsided.”

Mendelson’s Communications Director Lindsey Walton told 7News the chairman spoke with representatives for the team Tuesday, and at no point did they indicate they were furious.

“Uncertainty created by the council will leave a big, big avenue for another jurisdiction to meet [the Commanders’] timeline,” Bowser said. “We want our team to come home, and we need to buckle down and figure out how to get it done.”