The Washington Commanders are officially coming back to the District.
On Wednesday, the D.C. Council voted 11-2 to approve a $3.7 billion package that clears the way for a new 65,000-seat stadium and a sweeping mixed-use redevelopment on the site of the old RFK Stadium.
The deal, described by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) as “the largest economic development project in D.C. history,” includes more than $1 billion in taxpayer funding for infrastructure, utilities, parking, and a new recreation facility.
Josh Harris, principal owner for the Washington Commanders, said the team was “deeply grateful for the warm return to the District and the center of the DMV.”
District Councilmembers Brianne K. Nadeau (D) and Robert C. White Jr. (D) cast the only votes against the measure.
Nadeau opposed a football stadium at the site from the beginning, while White argued the deal lacked adequate protections to prevent displacement and to guarantee housing delivery.
“I have long been clear that an NFL stadium alone is not a good investment for the city,” Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) stated. “It just isn’t. Decades of experience and research have shown us that. But building 6,000 new homes, creating thousands of good-paying jobs for D.C. residents, protecting our Anacostia River and Kingman Island, expanding the number of youth sports fields and facilities — those are very good investments.”
The stadium package also includes environmental and community concessions. After negotiations, the team agreed to preserve more heritage trees, adopt higher efficiency standards in construction, and commit funds to low-income neighborhoods in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 for rental assistance, homeownership programs, and small-business grants.
The decision followed months of debate, amendments, and last-minute tension. Commanders President Mark Clouse warned in a letter ahead of the final vote that new demands threatened to derail the agreement.
“I think it’s fair to say that the team, which focuses on football and not on the legislative process, is quite frustrated with what it sees as a lot of last-minute asks,” remarked D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D).
Outside the Wilson Building, fans erupted in cheers when the final vote was announced.
“Go Commanders! Let’s win the Super Bowl this year! Welcome home!” D.C. resident Dottie Love Wade, who explained that she and her husband have supported the team for decades, told reporters.
“It is with great pride that I can say we are officially bringing our Commanders home and turning 180 acres of land on the banks of the Anacostia, on the monumental axis, into jobs and opportunity for D.C. residents,” Bowser exclaimed.
