WASHINGTON (7News) — Seemingly, before the ink could dry on the bill passed by Congress to transfer control of the old RFK Stadium site to D.C., the city put up a website requesting feedback from the community on what to do with the land.

7News On Your Side obtained these responses through a public records request, which revealed the majority of people who sent in their opinion oppose a new stadium, despite Mayor Muriel Bowser moving full steam ahead with a deal with the Washington Commanders.

A total of 419 people sent in their feedback.

Of those, 151 people, or 36 %, stated they support a new stadium in place of the rusted husk of the old RFK Stadium, with responses including:

“I believe a mixed use development similar to Navy Yard with NFL stadium, restaurants, housing and recreational facilities… would transform the area and DC in a big way…””Build the new stadium for the Commanders, but also include mixed income housing, retail, and high quality community services…””Greatest stadium experience of my life from games to concerts! Bring football back to DC!””Along with welcoming back the Washington Commanders, let’s make it a 365-day attraction.””Build the sickest NFL stadium ever””the new complex should have a domed stadium, tailgate parks, retail, housing…””If you guys are able to bring the Commanders back to DC, you will find your way back into the hearts of the locals…”

Meanwhile, 266 respondents, or 63 %, oppose a stadium. There were two responses that were off-topic.

Critics of a stadium plan point to the need for more housing and retail options in the city, as expressed in these comments calling for mixed-use development instead of a stadium:

“Don’t spend a penny subsidizing the NFL and create affordable housing and parks that benefit everyone in DC.””Housing, housing, housing, housing, housing, housing…””This is a perfect opportunity for a large mixed use development like navy yard, the wharf, or NOMA!””Keep it DC local. Local DC owned businesses…””Please for the love of god build as much housing as you can.””I am writing as a concerned resident of Washington, D.C., to urge you to prioritize housing and commercial development at the RFK Stadium site rather than rebuilding yet another sports stadium.””DC is in desperate need of more housing.””The city needs more housing, not to mention green space and shops/restaurants. Build all that instead.””Please use this space for the most pressing issue our city is facing: housing. Ceding it to another NFL stadium would deprive Washington of desperately needed housing…””Given housing affordability in the city, I believe it’s imperative to focus on creating a vibrant neighborhood … as opposed to bankrolling an NFL stadium…””DC has a housing affordability crisis…””…it is a food desert and options for shopping are not within walking distance…”

Many of those residents who oppose a stadium also pointed to the need to preserve the current fields at the RFK Stadium campus, utilized by youth sports programs.

“Losing the RFK fields would be catastrophic to so many of our young athletes,” one commenter wrote.

“It’s crucial to preserve and expand the fields that are essential for the children,” another added.

At her budget unveiling Tuesday, Mayor Muriel Bowser repeated her defense for a new stadium on the campus, despite budget challenges and the need for tax dollars for a portion of the project.

“We have to have a city that grows. We can’t invest in the best schools if we don’t have the revenue to do that. We can’t have the types of human services, programs that we’ve invested in if we don’t have revenues,” Bowser said Tuesday.

This split in opinions largely reflects what 7News On Your Side has seen at recent in-person community feedback meetings.

“Let’s build this stadium Super Bowl status, because we’re not just going to build another RFK and rebuild it,” one resident stated at a February meeting.

At another community meeting earlier this month, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert defended the mayor’s reasoning for a stadium.

“That’s been our history in the District of Columbia: When we invite an anchor to a site, it accelerates development much more quickly,” Albert said.

However, much like what was reflected in the 17 pages of responses from the city’s website, 7News On Your Side found the vast majority of residents at community meetings opposed a new stadium.

“I’m very opposed to public funding for stadiums, and I’m very disappointed we’re going to be using taxpayer funds to support the stadium. Billionaires should be paying for their own stadium,” one resident said at a February meeting.

At the May meeting in Ward 5, one resident told 7News, “They need affordable housing, they need green space.”

Another resident at that Ward 5 meeting raised concerns that the city was not listening to the feedback.

“It’s like the plan is already set and we have to accept it,” that resident told 7News. “Is there any way we can make changes in this plan?”