Commanders win final DC Council approval to build at RFK site, paving return to the city by 2030

The Washington Commanders have won final local clearance to move forward with a $3.8 billion redevelopment and a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site, as the District of Columbia Council voted 11-2 on Wednesday to authorize the project. The approval clears the way for construction and marks the team’s return to Washington after nearly three decades in Landover, Maryland.

Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris framed the vote as a historic turning point for the city, fans and the franchise. In a statement posted on social media, Harris said, "Today is a historic day for D.C., the Commanders and our fans. With the council’s approval, we can now move forward on the transformative RFK project that will bring lasting economic growth for our city. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Mayor Bowser, Chairman Mendelson, the council, and the countless community, business and labor leaders whose voices and input helped shape the process every step of the way." He added that the organization is "deeply grateful for the warm return to the district and the center of the DMV, and look forward to officially bringing the team back to its spiritual home in 2030."

The project envisions a broad redevelopment around the stadium site in addition to the new venue, including about 6,000 housing units, substantial retail space and expansive parkland. Officials say the plan aims to create a multi-use district anchored by the NFL team’s return to the district by 2030, with the stadium serving as a centerpiece rather than a standalone facility.

The approval did not come without last-minute tensions. The team said there were "last-minute new demands" from the D.C. Council, according to a letter from team president Mark Clouse, though most proposed amendments were rejected during the session. The process built on momentum from an earlier step in April, when the council approved the bill by a 9-3 vote, with a second approval required before Mayor Muriel Bowser could sign off.

The city’s development timeline gained momentum earlier this year after Congress passed legislation. By January, President Biden had signed measures that put the RFK site under city control, enabling the district to move ahead with the long-studied redevelopment plan. In April, Harris, Bowser and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced an agreement with D.C. officials on the RFK site, and they publicly celebrated the joint effort alongside notable former players and officials. The group also met with then-President Donald Trump at the White House for a celebration tied to the project.

Trump’s involvement surfaced again in July, when he criticized the team’s refusal to revert to the former Redskins name, arguing on Truth Social that the team would be more valuable with a different moniker. He wrote that he might restrict an arrangement for a Washington stadium if the name stayed the Commanders, though the Commanders have maintained the plan to keep the current branding as they move forward.

RFK Stadium itself has a long history in the district. Named for Robert F. Kennedy, it opened in 1961 and closed in 2019 after serving as home to the then-Redskins from 1961 to 1996, as well as MLB’s Washington Senators and MLS’s D.C. United at various times. The RFK site has long been seen as a linchpin for a broader urban renewal effort in Southeast Washington, and the new project is framed as a catalyst for jobs, housing and infrastructure, in addition to the stadium.

Officials say the redevelopment could be completed in time for a 2030 opening, with the team returning to the district as part of a broader strategy to revitalize the area and spur economic growth. The plan is designed not only to host football games but to anchor a mixed-use district that could include new housing options, office and retail space, and green space that residents and visitors can use year-round.

As the DC Council wraps up the final authorization, the Commanders’ path to a rebuilt presence in Washington appears set. The vote marks a milestone in a multi-year process that has traversed legislative hurdles, political sensitivity around branding and a complex negotiation environment involving city leaders, the team, labor and business groups, and the federal government. Supporters say the RFK project could deliver thousands of construction jobs and long-term economic activity in a neighborhood long in need of investment, while critics urge careful attention to traffic, affordability and the integration of housing with community needs.

With the process now cleared for construction, the franchise’s leadership has emphasized a commitment to delivering a landmark facility consistent with the city’s growth goals. The team has signaled that completion and an opening date around 2030 remain the target, contingent on the usual permitting, financing and construction milestones that accompany a project of this scale.