Where each D.C. Council member stands on the Commanders RFK stadium deal

Washington Post

4 days ago

Before the Washington Commanders can build a $3.7 billion stadium development at the decaying RFK Stadium site, the deal has to go through the D.C. Council.
In the weeks since Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) unveiled the terms of the deal with the Commanders — including over $1 billion in taxpayer funds for the development — lawmakers have largely signaled that they plan to approve the stadium development.
But not before making their mark on it.
Lawmakers are exploring changes to the terms Bowser reached with the Commanders ranging from rethinking parking garages, seeking a strong project labor agreement to ensure well-paying union jobs for District residents and capturing more revenue for D.C. generated at the stadium.
Bowser and the Commanders wanted the council to approve the deal by July 15, the deadline laid out in the terms they negotiated — but lawmakers have said that's not realistic and are planning to take more time. Bowser has turned up the pressure on lawmakers, worrying that D.C. could lose out on the opportunity with the Commanders if the council does not move more quickly. But for a multi-decade, multi-billion-dollar development, lawmakers insist that they need to do more due diligence.
On Tuesday, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) introduced a stand-alone RFK Stadium bill identical to Bowser's proposal, which he said would allow the council to 'complete its due diligence' and hold a public hearing. The council is also awaiting a financial analysis on the impact of various tax abatements offered to the Commanders as part of the deal, which it expects by mid-July.
Mendelson said that he would plan to hold a vote on the proposed deal 'as soon as possible' after a public hearing, which his staff said would be held July 29 for the public and on July 30 for the team and government officials.
'No one should infer from the introduction of this bill that funding in the Mayor's proposed budget for the Washington Commanders Football Team is in jeopardy,' Mendelson wrote in a statement accompanying the bill, noting that capital funds for the stadium remain in the budget expected to be approved in July.
All but one council member have either committed to supporting the stadium development with public investment or are contemplating specific changes to the terms that would get them to a yes vote. Here are the conditions, requests or concerns that lawmakers are raising before they vote on the deal.
Some council members count themselves among the more enthusiastic supporters of the stadium — but even lawmakers who say they will vote yes have additional requests.
Kenyan R. McDuffie (I-At Large)
McDuffie said he wants firmer guarantees that the project will bring well-paying union jobs to D.C. residents, along with skilled apprenticeships and contracts for local women-owned and minority-owned businesses. He also wants a 'strong, sustainable, enforceable community benefits agreement,' he said, as well as efforts to make sure that D.C.'s youth can 'see themselves reflected' in both the development and the local sports economy Bowser is trying to build.
Anita Bonds (D-At Large)
Bonds says she wants the Commanders to pay for a portion of the $89 million SportsPlex that Bowser has proposed for the site; the facility, to be run by D.C.'s Department of Parks and Recreation, could contain youth sports amenities like an Olympic-size indoor pool and indoor track, the mayor has said.
Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2)
Pinto said she wants the deal to include guaranteed job opportunities for people returning from jail or prison, a grass field and digital signage to leave room for women's soccer games at the new stadium and a commitment to honoring the late Robert F. Kennedy Sr. She also said she opposes Bowser's plan to fund the stadium by extending a tax on businesses that was supposed to expire once the Nationals Park bonds were paid off — but has not so far been able to identify an appropriate alternate funding stream.
Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7)
Felder, who represents residents nearest the stadium, said in a written statement to The Washington Post that 'I fully support the RFK stadium deal,' calling it a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' that the council should not delay a vote. He said he is working hard to 'ensure the deal delivers more than a stadium.' 'Whether it's quality jobs with livable wages, youth programming, or access to small business and workforce opportunities — Ward 7 must see real, tangible benefits.' To strengthen the deal, he said he wants to see a firmer timeline for when housing will be constructed at the RFK site, along with set-aside opportunities for business owners who live in Ward 7. He also said he supports a project labor agreement and is open to discussing the details with his colleagues.
Some council members count themselves among the more enthusiastic supporters of the stadium — but even lawmakers who say they will vote yes have additional requests.
Kenyan R. McDuffie (I-At Large)
McDuffie said he wants firmer guarantees that the project will bring well-paying union jobs to D.C. residents, along with skilled apprenticeships and contracts for local women-owned and minority-owned businesses. He also wants a 'strong, sustainable, enforceable community benefits agreement,' he said, as well as efforts to make sure that D.C.'s youth can 'see themselves reflected' in both the development and the local sports economy Bowser is trying to build.
Anita Bonds (D-At Large)
Bonds says she wants the Commanders to pay for a portion of the $89 million SportsPlex that Bowser has proposed for the site; the facility, to be run by D.C.'s Department of Parks and Recreation, could contain youth sports amenities like an Olympic-size indoor pool and indoor track, the mayor has said.
Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2)
Pinto said she wants the deal to include guaranteed job opportunities for people returning from jail or prison, a grass field and digital signage to leave room for women's soccer games at the new stadium and a commitment to honoring the late Robert F. Kennedy Sr. She also said she opposes Bowser's plan to fund the stadium by extending a tax on businesses that was supposed to expire once the Nationals Park bonds were paid off — but has not so far been able to identify an appropriate alternate funding stream.
Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7)
Felder, who represents residents nearest the stadium, said in a written statement to The Washington Post that 'I fully support the RFK stadium deal,' calling it a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' that the council should not delay a vote. He said he is working hard to 'ensure the deal delivers more than a stadium.' 'Whether it's quality jobs with livable wages, youth programming, or access to small business and workforce opportunities — Ward 7 must see real, tangible benefits.' To strengthen the deal, he said he wants to see a firmer timeline for when housing will be constructed at the RFK site, along with set-aside opportunities for business owners who live in Ward 7. He also said he supports a project labor agreement and is open to discussing the details with his colleagues.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D)
Mendelson earlier this month gave his clearest signal yet that the council would likely approve the deal, saying in a statement that the body would 'move forward quickly to analyze the Mayor's terms, improve the deal where possible for taxpayers, and approve a new football stadium.'
He has been less clear about his personal position. Historically opposed to taxpayer funds for a football stadium, Mendelson said at a news conference earlier this month that he was not yet prepared to put the deal up for a vote. 'It would not be fair to the taxpayers,' he said. Mendelson is awaiting an analysis of the deal the council commissioned, and he said in an interview that he needs more time to analyze the revenue projections the mayor has touted and suggest improvements that could save taxpayers money.
Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3)
Frumin said he needs more information before staking a position, preferring to wait for the results of the council-commissioned analysis. In the meantime, he said he wants to explore some adjustments, including changes to the placement of parking garages, which for now would both be adjacent to the Kingman Park neighborhood. 'Is there something more creative we can do to better use the space?' he said in an interview, wondering if more options for belowground parking could allow the space on top to be put to good use.
Frumin also said he wants to explore the idea of green-energy requirements on construction, and whether there could be more accountability attached to the affordable-housing requirements to ensure the housing is delivered on time. He is also among the seven council members who sent a letter to Commanders ownership demanding a project labor agreement that guarantees union jobs not only for the stadium but also for the new restaurants and hotels.
Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4)
Lewis George said while she can get behind funding basic infrastructure work, she does not support a $1 billion-plus price tag for taxpayers and wants the topline contribution to come down. She said she'll also be looking for firmer details about the affordable-housing plan and how it will be funded, and signed the same letter seeking strong union protections on the other elements of the development project.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D)
Mendelson earlier this month gave his clearest signal yet that the council would likely approve the deal, saying in a statement that the body would 'move forward quickly to analyze the Mayor's terms, improve the deal where possible for taxpayers, and approve a new football stadium.'
He has been less clear about his personal position. Historically opposed to taxpayer funds for a football stadium, Mendelson said at a news conference earlier this month that he was not yet prepared to put the deal up for a vote. 'It would not be fair to the taxpayers,' he said. Mendelson is awaiting an analysis of the deal the council commissioned, and he said in an interview that he needs more time to analyze the revenue projections the mayor has touted and suggest improvements that could save taxpayers money.
Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3)
Frumin said he needs more information before staking a position, preferring to wait for the results of the council-commissioned analysis. In the meantime, he said he wants to explore some adjustments, including changes to the placement of parking garages, which for now would both be adjacent to the Kingman Park neighborhood. 'Is there something more creative we can do to better use the space?' he said in an interview, wondering if more options for belowground parking could allow the space on top to be put to good use.
Frumin also said he wants to explore the idea of green-energy requirements on construction, and whether there could be more accountability attached to the affordable-housing requirements to ensure the housing is delivered on time. He is also among the seven council members who sent a letter to Commanders ownership demanding a project labor agreement that guarantees union jobs not only for the stadium but also for the new restaurants and hotels.
Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4)
Lewis George said while she can get behind funding basic infrastructure work, she does not support a $1 billion-plus price tag for taxpayers and wants the topline contribution to come down. She said she'll also be looking for firmer details about the affordable-housing plan and how it will be funded, and signed the same letter seeking strong union protections on the other elements of the development project.
Numerous lawmakers have framed the mayor's proposed terms as a bad deal for taxpayers that needs improvement, whether seeking less taxpayer investment or greater revenue from the development. They each are also signatories of the project labor agreement letter.
Robert C. White Jr. (D-At Large)
White was skeptical that the full costs to taxpayers were reflected in the $1 billion topline figure, pointing out that other potential public costs such as in affordable-housing production or debt repayment are not included. While questioning top city officials during a hearing last week, he said it's not a good deal when so much revenue from sources such as ticket sales, merchandise and parking would go to the team or be reinvested back into the stadium instead of into D.C. coffers to invest in other services and programs. 'I don't want to give people the impression that somehow we'll be able to pay for teachers with this money,' he said.
Jenny Reed, director of the D.C. Office of Budget and Performance Management, said while it is true that about $1.4 billion over 30 years is expected to go into a special RFK fund for stadium maintenance and related costs, she said $974 million is expected to go into the general fund from other revenue sources, such as hotel stays and income tax on employees working at different venues around the stadium.
White said among his conditions to get to a yes vote would be more advantageous revenue-sharing agreement for the city, and that the Commanders move their business headquarters to D.C., which would benefit the city through taxes.
Christina Henderson (I-At Large)
Henderson said she does not support the mayor's agreement with the Commanders that the team would only have to pay $1 a year to lease the stadium and other commercial parcels from the District, unlike at other sports venues like Nationals Park or Capital One Arena.
She also said the parking arrangements need to be rethought, both where and how they are built and who gets the revenue generated by them. She wondered if the garages could be spread out to 'lessen the blow' and traffic for nearby residents. Right now, the team, which would operate the parking garages, would get all the revenue from the parking garages, while the District would invest over $350 million in constructing them. 'Why would I not get any parking revenue from the parking garages that I'm paying for?' Henderson said.
Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5)
Parker has made several requests that he said are essential to win his support. Parker wants to see the team set up a dedicated education fund for Wards 5, 7 and 8 and a commitment that existing revenue-generating events at RFK will continue. He is also calling on the mayor to make good on a tentative agreement she had struck with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) when the RFK bill was moving through the Senate to invest District dollars in National Park Service land in the city equivalent to the value of the stadium land.
'On principle we shouldn't have to invest in NPS land, but since the agreement was made and there is such disrepair to NPS land properties across the District, it is an opportunity to advance in some areas, like in Fort Totten Park,' Parker said.
Charles Allen (D-Ward 6)
A longtime stadium foe, Allen said he was pushing for eight to 10 changes that could get him in the yes camp. For starters, 'There's no scenario where they can't pay rent. That's ridiculous.' He also opposed 8,000 parking spots, wanting to see instead more like 2,000 spots and the bulk of the parking garage money instead going to expand Metro capacity, such as a new station at Oklahoma Avenue NE and Benning Road. Like Frumin, Allen also wants more accountability associated with the affordable-housing requirements and a firm timeline for completion.
Allen also bristled at various sales tax exemptions within the stadium, such as for personal seat licenses. 'Why? The team doesn't get any of that sales tax revenue — it's just us giving up our own sales tax revenue,' he said.
Numerous lawmakers have framed the mayor's proposed terms as a bad deal for taxpayers that needs improvement, whether seeking less taxpayer investment or greater revenue from the development. They each are also signatories of the project labor agreement letter.
Robert C. White Jr. (D-At Large)
White was skeptical that the full costs to taxpayers were reflected in the $1 billion topline figure, pointing out that other potential public costs such as in affordable-housing production or debt repayment are not included. While questioning top city officials during a hearing last week, he said it's not a good deal when so much revenue from sources such as ticket sales, merchandise and parking would go to the team or be reinvested back into the stadium instead of into D.C. coffers to invest in other services and programs. 'I don't want to give people the impression that somehow we'll be able to pay for teachers with this money,' he said.
Jenny Reed, director of the D.C. Office of Budget and Performance Management, said while it is true that about $1.4 billion over 30 years is expected to go into a special RFK fund for stadium maintenance and related costs, she said $974 million is expected to go into the general fund from other revenue sources, such as hotel stays and income tax on employees working at different venues around the stadium.
White said among his conditions to get to a yes vote would be more advantageous revenue-sharing agreement for the city, and that the Commanders move their business headquarters to D.C., which would benefit the city through taxes.
Christina Henderson (I-At Large)
Henderson said she does not support the mayor's agreement with the Commanders that the team would only have to pay $1 a year to lease the stadium and other commercial parcels from the District, unlike at other sports venues like Nationals Park or Capital One Arena.
She also said the parking arrangements need to be rethought, both where and how they are built and who gets the revenue generated by them. She wondered if the garages could be spread out to 'lessen the blow' and traffic for nearby residents. Right now, the team, which would operate the parking garages, would get all the revenue from the parking garages, while the District would invest over $350 million in constructing them. 'Why would I not get any parking revenue from the parking garages that I'm paying for?' Henderson said.
Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5)
Parker has made several requests that he said are essential to win his support. Parker wants to see the team set up a dedicated education fund for Wards 5, 7 and 8 and a commitment that existing revenue-generating events at RFK will continue. He is also calling on the mayor to make good on a tentative agreement she had struck with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) when the RFK bill was moving through the Senate to invest District dollars in National Park Service land in the city equivalent to the value of the stadium land.
'On principle we shouldn't have to invest in NPS land, but since the agreement was made and there is such disrepair to NPS land properties across the District, it is an opportunity to advance in some areas, like in Fort Totten Park,' Parker said.
Charles Allen (D-Ward 6)
A longtime stadium foe, Allen said he was pushing for eight to 10 changes that could get him in the yes camp. For starters, 'There's no scenario where they can't pay rent. That's ridiculous.' He also opposed 8,000 parking spots, wanting to see instead more like 2,000 spots and the bulk of the parking garage money instead going to expand Metro capacity, such as a new station at Oklahoma Avenue NE and Benning Road. Like Frumin, Allen also wants more accountability associated with the affordable-housing requirements and a firm timeline for completion.
Allen also bristled at various sales tax exemptions within the stadium, such as for personal seat licenses. 'Why? The team doesn't get any of that sales tax revenue — it's just us giving up our own sales tax revenue,' he said.
Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1)
Nadeau said she firmly opposes a stadium. 'If we don't spend any local dollars, I would consider it,' she said. 'I'm not sure we need to vote on it.'
Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1)
Nadeau said she firmly opposes a stadium. 'If we don't spend any local dollars, I would consider it,' she said. 'I'm not sure we need to vote on it.'