D.C.'s RFK Stadium Losing its Last Tenant—What's Next?

An ongoing planning study by Events DC, commenced by a previous mayoral administration, could conflict with the desire of the current mayor for the site of RFK Stadium

1 minute read

September 18, 2015, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

fstockfoto / Shutterstock

Brian Flahaven reports: "DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says she wants to put another football stadium on the site where RFK Stadium currently sits, even though a study to look into other potential future uses of the campus is still incomplete."

The site is attracting a lot of attention as the stadium's last tenant, the Major League Soccer team DC United, is soon to move out. A 2013 article by Jonathan O'Connell detailed the launch of the ongoing study into the future land use of the site. That study, however, commenced at the behest of former Mayor Vincent Gray. Current Mayor Muriel Bowser, however, considers the Events DC study a fallback plan, and prefers a new stadium for the site.

"Her rationale? Besides the site's history of hosting football, Mayor Bowser noted the large size of the site and that a new stadium would not preclude other development activities. She also said that other cities have successfully built stadiums that have fit well into the surrounding neighborhood (though she didn't mention specific cities or stadiums)."

The article then adopts a polemic that has become more popular in recent months about the high costs and limited benefits of football stadium plans.

FULL STORY: Mayor Bowser says she wants a new football stadium at RFK

Friday, September 11, 2015 in Greater Greater Washington

Land Use Urban Development District of Columbia Washington D.C. RFK Stadium Events DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Sports Stadiums View More

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