WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Just hours after D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a multi-billion-dollar deal with the Washington Commanders to revitalize the RFK Stadium site, some D.C. Councilmembers came forward with their concerns — with one member making it clear she intends to vote against the deal.
Though the mayor and Commanders leadership came to a deal on Monday, the D.C. Council must give official approval for the site when they vote this summer.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he is still reviewing the RFK term sheet, but remains “…concerned with investing any public money into a stadium while [D.C. has] constrained budgets and revenues, and unmet needs.”
He said it is unheard of to set a deadline for the D.C. Council.
“We were not consulted about this negotiation; it was not even brought up when I was briefed on April 16th. Indeed, other than that one briefing – which was for me, not the Council – there has been no collaboration with the Council,” he wrote, in part. “The Mayor needs to focus on getting us a final budget – she’s on track to miss that deadline by over seven weeks! And adopting a budget, with Mayor-proposed cuts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, should be our highest priority.”
It was not clear whether Mendelson intends to vote for or against the deal this summer.
In a statement shared with DC News Now, however, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau stated firmly that she would be voting against the deal.
I’m proud of the Washington Commanders and could not be more thrilled to see Josh Harris and the new team leadership take them in a positive direction.
But when it comes to a stadium at RFK, it’s a ‘no’ for me. The District cannot afford to spend $1 billion in taxpayer money on a sports stadium for a privately held team, a stadium that will sit dark most days.
That’s $1 billion that could be invested in schools, libraries, housing, parks and recreation centers, and other amenities across the District—the things that make D.C. the vibrant place we love to call home.
This is not the right investment for our city.
Brianne K. Nadeau, D-Ward 1
Despite some Councilmembers’ skepticism, others expressed their excitement for the deal.
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto said she was “thrilled” about the team’s return to D.C.
“Welcoming the Washington Commanders back to DC is not only good for the team, it’s an investment in our city’s spirit, in economic development, and in a future for our city that makes us all proud,” she wrote in a social media post, in part.
At-Large Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie shared a similar sentiment, writing in a social media post that the new stadium “will bring jobs, boost small businesses, and energize the city.”
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