WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — The Washington Commanders are worried about late changes made to the proposal to redevelop the Robert F. Kennedy stadium campus, which is going up for a final vote on Wednesday.
“The Washington Commanders write to express our deep concern regarding the last-minute new demands proposed by the Council mere hours before the final vote on the Robert F. Kennedy Campus Redevelopment Act of 2025,” a letter from Mark Clouse, the team’s president, to the D.C. council read.
The letter went on to say that amendment of the plan cannot be agreed to as it “jeopardizes the deal.”
Some of the changes clarify how a $20 million transportation fund can be used, according to our news partners at WTOP. The amendment also adjusts the timeline for when affordable housing must begin to be delivered, starting three years after zoning for residential properties is approved.
Read the full letter from the Commanders below:
“Many of these proposals significantly impact our ability to deliver this project as envisioned and will restrict the value this project would deliver,” the letter from the Commanders read. “These amendments could limit or even preclude construction, reduce RFK’s ability to attract major events, limit the city’s ability to deliver on its proposed housing, and hinder CBE participation in the project. Additionally, unions have stressed their discomfort with the proposed changes and are lobbying against any further amendments to the deal. Most do not want these amendments to impact our ability to deliver a world-class stadium with premier mixed-use development.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s vote, Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a letter to the council urging them to pass the RFK plan.
“I strongly caution the Council against creating additional penalties or requirements that may undermine the District’s ability to close the deal and bring the Commanders back to DC,” the mayor said in the letter.
The vote is set for Wednesday afternoon. This story will be updated following the council’s decision.