For three weeks, the District’s snow removal crews have been trucking most of D.C.’s excess snow and ice to one of the former RFK Stadium parking lots.
For three weeks, the District’s snow removal crews have been trucking most of the city’s excess snow and ice to one of the parking lots at the former RFK Stadium site.
By Friday, the 15-foot-tall snow and ice mound covered a 320,000 square-foot area, D.C. Department of Transportation spokesman German Vigil said. That’s the equivalent of five and a half football fields.
And it could be there well into May.
“To figure out how long will it actually take for some massive pile of snow or ice to melt, there’s only two numbers you need,” Jonathan Boreyko, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech, told WTOP. “One number is how much total heat is going into the snow from the sun or the warm air, and then the other number is how much mass of ice do you actually have to melt.”
Based on DDOT’s numbers, he estimated the RFK pile’s mass at a massive 33 million kilograms. The sun alone, he said, would melt a snow pile of that size and density in around 200 days, assuming no changes in air temperature.
“If the air can get dramatically above freezing, it’s a much more complex analysis,” Boreyko said.
But the warming air should help get the job done in “tens of days, not hundreds,” he said.
The high end of that estimate would leave remnants of the pile at RFK until Memorial Day weekend.
Boreyko has published two papers on melting snow and ice, but he spends more time on other research.
“Something my group is doing that I’m very excited about, for these winter seasons, is we’re trying to use electric fields to rip ice and frost off of surfaces like cars and airplanes electrically,” Boreyko said.
They call it electrostatic de-icing: “It’s something we’re trying to make more effective, and we’re excited about its prospects long term,” he said.
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A snow pile 20 feet tall and as big as two football fields has created a “snowcrete” glacier at RFK Stadium parking lot six.
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Mountain of ‘snowcrete’ built at RFK parking lot
While the grounds of the old RFK stadium site no longer host the pregame cheers and rituals of game-day attendees, the area is now home to a growing pile of “snowcrete,” the nickname given to hardened layers of snow and ice that covered much of the D.C. region.
At the site of parking lot six, residents in the area can spot a 20-foot-tall snow pile that is as big as two football fields.
A social media post from D.C.’s Department of Transportation explained how such a massive snow pile was created.
The post detailed that every 24 hours, 900 dump trucks packed with snow from the streets, schools and intersections from around D.C. would be taken to sites across the city.
During a visit to the site, WTOP spoke to residents who lived close by and were taking in the view for themselves.
“You see just constant trucks coming and going all day long, especially at night as well,” Maggie said. “Unfortunately, it’s all of the dirty black snow so it’s not the beautiful mountains of white snow.”
Along with Maggie was Robbie Harden, who was much more impressed with the parking lot glacier.
“The coolest part is when you actually get up there. It’s like, literally, you look like you’re at the top of Everest,” Harden said. “They pack it in — the piles of snow — that high on all directions. That’s crazy.”
Harden brought his Doberman pinscher Bubba with him. Spoiler alert: Bubba loves it.
“He was jumping up there with me. I mean, the dogs, it’s like a whole playground with them,” Harden said.
It’s good Bubba likes the massive snow pile, because Harden believes it’s going to be around for a while.
“Probably, it’s gonna be May and there’s still going to be clumps of snow out there,” Harden joked.
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Residents of Kingman Park, next to the old RFK Stadium campus where a new Washington Commanders stadium is being built, are speaking out about what they want to see in the surrounding development.
Walk around the site where RFK Stadium used to stand and you’ll notice there’s almost nothing there anymore. Further exploration of the neighborhood surrounding the old stadium grounds reveals a lot of one particular thing not seen in renderings of the planned new stadium released Thursday by the Washington Commanders — homes.
An initial rendering of the planned new Washington Commanders stadium, as seen from the Anacostia River.
Many people call the Kingman Park neighborhood and surrounding area home. The neighborhood is just west of the stadium campus, and residents there hope their neighborhood benefits not from the new stadium itself, but the planned development that will surround it.
“This neighborhood needs grocery stores,” Alexis Pazmino, who leads the Friends of Kingman Park Civic Association, said. “We need a full-service grocery store over by RFK. You know, we don’t have any in this neighborhood.”
She also said she hopes local business owners will benefit from development around the new stadium, which is slated to open for the start of the Washington Commanders’ season in 2030.
“I want to see places where my money can be spent,” Pazmino said. “I have money in my pocket. I want to put it into our community. I would love to see coffee shops and restaurants and local businesses.”
Residents around the neighborhood said something similar, with one person noting a nearby 7-Eleven even closed down. They don’t want to see more of the same chains or fast food restaurants that already exist all over D.C. and the surrounding area.
But many are skeptical that small businesses will be able to afford to open up there.
“Say you’re a moms and pops,” a man named L. Randolph said. “Are you able to afford to be able to run a business in this neighborhood? Because we all know the … lease prices are going to be super expensive.”
Neighbors are also asking for something that visitors and game day fans definitely won’t like — strict parking enforcement.
“If you look, there’s only a couple cars in the streets in those designs, and that’s a, that’s kind of a dream that isn’t going to come true,” Pazmino said. “The stadium is definitely a throwback to the previous designs, but we hope that it’s not going to also be a throwback to the terrible parking and congestion that was here.”
Even though there isn’t that much around, Rodney Ford said there are already problems with parking in the neighborhood.
“I think that may be one of the biggest concerns by all of us in the neighborhood,” Randolph said. “Where are these people going to be able to park and are they going to give them enough parking options so that they don’t spill over into the neighborhood?”
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The old home of the Washington Commanders, D.C.’s RFK Stadium, is nearly fully demolished to make way for a new NFL stadium scheduled for opening in 2030.
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RFK stadium is almost completely demolished
The skyline along east Capital Street in the District has changed dramatically, as crews have nearly finished tearing town the old RFK stadium after months of hard work.
The rusted out eyesore on the banks of the Anacostia River is no more, for the most part. There are still a few concrete structures standing, but gone is the hulking metal monster that has sat largely empty since D.C. United played their last game there in 2017.
On Jan. 6, 2025, then-President Joe Biden signed the paperwork giving D.C. the authority to develop the long-neglected site. Later in the year, city officials approved a $3.7 billion plan to build the Washington Commanders a new stadium on the site surrounded by residential and commercial development.
The new, 65,000-seat stadium, will have a roof, allowing the venue to host concerts and special events year-round.
The project, which includes a $1.1 billion investment of city taxpayer funds, is expected to be completed in time for the Commanders home opener in 2030.
Construction workers told WTOP that if the weather cooperates, they should have the site cleared in a couple months. What was once a massive stadium has been reduced to a giant hole in the ground. Virtually all the metal has been removed.
The famous bust of Robert F. Kennedy that stood just outside the main entrance at the ticket booth remains on the site, outside the construction fence on the west side of the construction zone along 22nd Street.
The site of the old RFK Stadium on Jan. 9, 2026, as demolition nears completion.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
The site of the old RFK Stadium on Jan. 9, 2026, as demolition nears completion.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
The site of the old RFK Stadium on Jan. 9, 2026, as demolition nears completion.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
The site of the old RFK Stadium on Jan. 9, 2026, as demolition nears completion.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
The famous bust of Robert F. Kennedy stands outside the old RFK Stadium in D.C. on Jan. 9, 2026, as demolition of the structure nears completion.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
WTOP/Alan Etter
The site of the old RFK Stadium on Jan. 9, 2026, as demolition nears completion.
(WTOP/Alan Etter)
The Washington Commanders and D.C. teamed up in 2025 to finalize a plan to construct a new stadium for the team at the old RFK Stadium site. Here’s how it happened.
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How the Commanders’ $3.7B RFK Stadium deal came together
This year brought a touchdown for Washington Commanders fans hoping to see the team return to the nation’s capital.
The scoring drive began in January, when President Joe Biden signed a bill transferring control of the 180-acre RFK Stadium campus to D.C. After the signing, deal-making continued behind the scenes between D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration and the Commanders.
“We want to bring the Commanders home with our new RFK,” team owner Josh Harris said.
On the table was a $3.7 billion redevelopment plan that would bring a 65,000-seat stadium with a roof, mixed retail, entertainment and housing to the RFK site. Under the plan, the team would invest $2.7 billion, and the city pledged about $1.1 billion for stadium infrastructure and surrounding redevelopment, with its opening set for 2030.
Officials said the project would be a good deal for D.C., but residents and the D.C. Council needed to be on board to make the ambitious plan a reality.
Early challenges and missed deadlines
The mayor and team set a mid-July deadline for the council to pass the deal, but out of the starting gate, it was clear it didn’t have the votes.
Among those initially critical of the project due to its price tag was D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson.
“The deal that the mayor submitted to the council was one that had very little revenue actually coming to the city’s general coffers. Revenues that would be generated from taxes and fees related to the stadium were either going to go back to the stadium or actually were sort of being waived. And that gave members a lot of pause,” Mendelson told WTOP.
When mid-July came around, the council had missed the deadline tied to an exclusive negotiation window. The council scheduled public hearings to gather more input on the deal and its costs. Lawmakers said they needed more time to review the term sheet and funding commitments before a final vote.
The deadline also came as the council awaited 2026’s budget and an updated current-year budget after Congress withheld $1 billion in funding collected from D.C. taxpayers.
A revised deal and new momentum
On July 24, Mendelson announced a reworked agreement that increased expected city benefits.
The revisions outlined $414 million in revenue over 30 years, $260 million from non-stadium event parking, and a $20 million-a-year transportation fund for Metro and road work. The package also detailed housing and parkland across the RFK campus and set the first and second votes for Aug. 1 and Sept. 17.
With a voting schedule in place, negotiations intensified behind the scenes. Mendelson and At-Large Council member Kenyan McDuffie led talks for the council.
“The chairman and I put in a lot of hours. I had a lot of early mornings and late nights. But it was ultimately because I am an optimist. I believe in the future of Washington, D.C., and I believe that this project is going to help transform an area of Washington, D.C., that’s remained dormant for quite some time,” McDuffie said.
Looming over it all was the threat of President Donald Trump’s involvement, after he posted on social media calling on the team to revert to its old name.
Public hearings and first vote
Heading into the first vote, marathon hearings drew hundreds of speakers. Many residents voiced worries about traffic congestion and parking impacts on surrounding neighborhoods, and some argued the deal favored billionaires instead of addressing pressing needs, such as housing and social services.
The council also heard from team President Mark Clouse.
“This is a historic moment and one of extraordinary opportunity. Together, we can deliver the fastest and surest transformation of the RFK site into something that brings people together, drives growth and shows what’s possible when public purpose and private commitment align,” Clouse said in July.
Mayor Bowser called the project a “BFD,” short for “big f—ing deal,” during her testimony.
On Aug. 1, the council voted 9-3 to move the legislation forward, citing added transit investment, environmental standards and clearer protections in the timeline.
Final vote and last-minute drama
The members who opposed the deal were At-Large Council member Robert White, Ward 1’s Brianne Nadeau and Ward 3’s Matthew Frumin. They pointed to concerns about housing safeguards and public subsidies.
The vote sent the measure to a final reading in September, with additional tweaks discussed in the days that followed.
The council returned Sept. 17 for a meeting that saw lengthy negotiations behind closed doors and a scathing letter from Clouse, who claimed the team was presented with “unworkable and impractical” last-minute additions.
Some of those amendments added new taxes on parking and merchandise revenue, as well as penalties for missed deadlines on delivering housing, including affordable units.
What’s next for RFK
“It’s pretty amazing that we were able to get it to the council as quickly as we did. We had our first vote in less than 60 days from when we’d gotten the proposal,” Chairman Mendelson said.
But he said work with the team led to a deal that got more votes of support than expected, passing with an 11-2 vote, when, Mendelson admitted, he expected a final vote of 10-3.
“The Commanders deal is a big deal in sending a signal to the larger business community that the District is a good place to do business,” Mendelson said.
McDuffie agreed, telling WTOP the project also delivers for the city and its residents.
“Despite some of the challenges that we’re seeing from the Commanders on the field this year, Washington, D.C., residents are winning. We’ve scored a touchdown by getting the Commanders to move back to the District of Columbia and make the largest private investment in D.C.’s history in rebuilding a stadium that’s going to exist on the old RFK campus,” McDuffie said.
“This was always about more than just a stadium. This was about a win for Washington, D.C., residents and Washington, D.C., small businesses,” he said, adding that revisions increased value for taxpayers.
He said the additional $779 million will accrue for D.C. taxpayers “as a result of the revisions that we made,” noting the $50 million community benefits agreement and higher local contracting goals.
McDuffie said engagement with neighbors is ongoing.
“Their input can be seen in every aspect of this deal,” he said. “Those conversations continue almost daily.”
Construction timeline
Looking ahead, he said a venue with a roof will bring events beyond football.
“We’re talking about all types of world-class events happening at a facility that will have a roof,” McDuffie said.
He also emphasized limits on the city’s exposure.
“The cost overruns are going to be on the team, not Washington, D.C. We have limited the amount of money that the District of Columbia is going to be responsible for,” McDuffie said.
Demolition of the iconic RFK Stadium continues, with thousands of tons of steel, brick and plastic being removed from the site. The goal is to turn the current stadium into a lot of sand by fall 2026 so construction can begin.
Mendelson said his biggest concern now is the possibility of delays in the completion of some portions of the redevelopment plan.
“I’m not so worried that the stadium will be delayed, but the overall development could take longer than folks want. I don’t think at this point it’s going to fall apart. I just don’t think that’s going to happen,” Mendelson said. “But there could be a lot of unforeseen obstacles that pop up that will need to be addressed.”
The stadium is expected to be complete by 2030, but other development will follow as plans go through federal approval and D.C. zoning requirements.
As for the latest sign of progress, the Commanders recently named HKS as the lead architect for the new RFK stadium, a firm known for designing iconic venues, such as SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium, which is a clear signal the project is moving from plans to reality.
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About 60 people gathered at St. Coletta of Greater Washington in Southeast to hear from planners and designers who are working on what the stadium will bring to the city.
Residents living near the proposed site of the new Commanders stadium met with planners and designers on the high-profile redevelopment project, WTOP’s Alan Etter reports.
District officials held a second meeting Wednesday designed to get feedback on the proposed $3.7 billion stadium that will house the Washington Commanders.
About 60 people gathered at St. Coletta of Greater Washington on Independence Avenue to hear from planners and designers who are working on what the stadium will bring to the city. After an opening presentation by director of the D.C. Department of Buildings Brian Hanlon, people broke into small groups in to get their feedback reported.
“I strongly opposed the stadium from the beginning,” said Capitol Hill resident and former advisory neighborhood commissioner Bill Sisolak.
“But now that it’s a reality, my goal is to hold the city, and the mayor, specifically, to public promises that have been made concerning particularly traffic and parking.”
He’s concerned that parking restrictions during times when games are being played won’t be enforced.
“I want to see recreation, parking and public safety addressed,” Nicothia Bornes Robinson, a fourth-generation Washingtonian, said.
Most attending the meeting seemed in favor of the development.
“I just want to generate conversation. … I’m here to get your thoughts,” said Daniel Connor, chief of staff at the D.C. Department of Energy and the Environment, one of the moderators of several breakout groups that recorded residents’ opinions.
The Commanders organization is partnering with the city to offer opportunities for residents to comment.
Construction of the new stadium is expected to start next year after the current RFK Stadium is demolished.
While the total price tag for the project is $3.7 billion, District taxpayers are pitching in $1.1 billion for infrastructure upgrades.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This report has been updated with the proper spelling of Bill Sisolak’s name.
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While President Donald Trump potentially holds some leverage in swaying the stakeholders involved with naming the Commanders’ stadium, he also faces some possible challenges.
While the president holds some leverage in potentially swaying stakeholders, he also faces some possible challenges in influencing the stadium name.
WTOP anchor Nick Iannelli heard from Lisa Delpy Neirotti, an associate professor of sport management at the George Washington University School of Business, about what’s at play.
Read and listen to the interview below.
Professor Lisa Delpy Neirotti talks with WTOP’s Nick Iannelli about President Donald Trump’s reported desire to have his name on the Commanders’ stadium.
The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.
Nick Iannelli:
Naming a stadium is complicated even more so in this case, because of where the stadium is being built.
Lisa Delpy Neirotti:
Every team is looking to maximize revenues to stay competitive, and the Commanders’ new stadium name will be sold to a corporate sponsor, like all other teams in the league. There are ways to incorporate an individual name, but there is no doubt that there will be a corporate sponsor tied to the stadium name.
Now, we have to understand that the District of Columbia owns the stadium, but the naming rights belong to the team. With the final approval of the venue name resting with both the D.C. Council and the National Park Service, they obviously want to make sure the name is appropriate for the city.
Nick Iannelli :
How does the National Park Service play into all that?
Lisa Delpy Neirotti:
They are part owner of that land. And, so, they have a say in how it represents that area.
Nick Iannelli:
So you have the Commanders, you have the D.C. Council and you have the National Park Service on this land that is basically federal land controlled by D.C.
That’s really complicated. That’s not, you’re in a city somewhere and there’s a piece of land and a sports team wants to build a stadium on a piece of land. This is all tied in with the federal government, and that does make it more complex.
Lisa Delpy Neirotti:
Yes, it does. There are multiple stakeholders in this, from the District, the Park Service, the team and even the residents, everybody will have a say in this.
Ultimately, it will come down to the team securing revenue, generating naming rights, and whether they incorporate another name, that will ultimately be decided between D.C. Council and the National Park Service and the team.
This is going to be a collaborative effort, and there’s going to be lots of discussions.
Nick Iannelli:
So in other words, this isn’t a situation where, just because he’s the president of the United States, he can snap his finger and say, ‘I want my name on that,’ and then it gets rubber-stamped. This is a complicated process. That’s just not how it works, but he can put pressure on all those entities if he wants.
Lisa Delpy Neirotti:
This president is unlike any other we’ve had. He can make it very difficult to build the stadium if he really wants. Just building processes, permits, approvals, environmental approvals.
He has the power to make any of those difficult in the whole building process. It just depends on if he really wants to play those cards or not.
Nick Iannelli:
And just focusing on the Commanders, the team itself here, it wouldn’t necessarily be good to put any politician’s name on a stadium right now, given the country’s politics and how everybody’s divided.
Lisa Delpy Neirotti:
There’s going to be some fans that say, ‘I’m not going to be able to support the Commanders if they put this name on the stadium,’ whereas others will be happy with it.
There’s definitely going to be a corporate name, because they need the revenue. How Trump could be added to that name and have it sound good — or, instead of the naming rights, maybe they come up with a commemorative area within the stadium. It could be the Trump entrance to commemorate his name in some fashion.
What’s going to be happening is there’s going to be continued discussions, keeping an open mind on all possibilities.
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President Donald Trump reportedly wants the new Washington Commanders football stadium to be named after himself, ESPN reports.
With efforts underway to build an updated Washington Commanders football stadium at the old RFK site in D.C., President Donald Trump allegedly wants the new facility named after himself, according to an ESPN report that broke Saturday.
Trump administration officials and a member of the Commanders’ ownership group have been engaged in backchannel discussions on the matter, a senior White House source told ESPN.
“That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in a statement to ESPN.
The sports outlet says she declined to answer additional questions, but added, “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.”
A Commanders spokesperson declined comment.
Trump is scheduled to attend the Commanders’ home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday; a team source told ESPN that while stakeholders expect to have conversations with Trump about the stadium name at the game, no formal discussions have taken place so far.
The Commanders do own the new stadium’s naming rights, presumably to be sold to a corporate sponsor. The final call will likely be made by the D.C. Council, which will lease the stadium to the Commanders, and the National Park Service, which manages the land on which the facility will be built.
The new stadium was first teased in April by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Commanders owner Josh Harris. Back in July, Trump said he would block the construction of the stadium if Harris did not change the team name from Commanders back to its former Redskins moniker. Regardless, in September, the stadium was officially approved with an 11-2 Council vote. It’s slated to be finished in 2030.
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President Donald Trump reportedly wants the new Washington Commanders football stadium at the old RFK Stadium site to be named after himself.
With efforts underway to build an updated Washington Commanders football stadium at the old RFK Stadium site in D.C., President Donald Trump allegedly wants the new facility named after himself, according to an ESPN report that broke Saturday.
Trump administration officials and a member of the Commanders’ ownership group have been engaged in backchannel discussions on the matter, a senior White House source told ESPN.
“That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in a statement to ESPN.
The sports outlet says she declined to answer additional questions, but added, “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.”
A Commanders spokesperson declined to comment. The office of the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, declined comment, according to The Associated Press.
Trump is scheduled to attend the Commanders’ home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday; a team source told ESPN that while stakeholders expect to have conversations with Trump about the stadium name at the game, no formal discussions have taken place so far.
The Commanders do own the new stadium’s naming rights, presumably to be sold to a corporate sponsor. The final call will likely be made by the D.C. Council, which will lease the stadium to the Commanders, and the National Park Service, which manages the land on which the facility will be built.
Former President Joe Biden signed a bill in January that transferred the land that had the old stadium from control of the federal government to the District.
The new stadium was first teased in April by Bowser and Commanders owner Josh Harris. Back in July, Trump said he would block the construction of the stadium if Harris did not change the team name from Commanders back to its former Redskins moniker. Regardless, in September, the stadium was officially approved with an 11-2 council vote. It’s slated to be finished in 2030.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Two sports architecture firms that designed stadiums in Los Angeles and Minneapolis are hoping to leave their mark in D.C. with the new home of the Washington Commanders.
Two sports architecture firms that designed stadiums in Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas and elsewhere are hoping to leave their mark in D.C. by creating the new home of the Washington Commanders.
Demolition is ongoing at the site of the old RFK Stadium as team and city leaders hold talks with firms HKS and HNTB, sources told WTOP.
HNTB built Allegiant Stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders and Levi’s Stadium for the San Francisco 49ers. HKS is the firm behind SoFi Stadium, home of the LA Rams and Chargers; U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings; and AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Last weekend, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was at the Commanders game in Dallas. She told NBC Washington part of the purpose of her trip was to check out the stadium.
“We know that we need a stadium that’s going to take advantage of our great views, be a stadium that we can use year-round and have a great fan experience,” Bowser said.
The D.C. Council last month approved the $3.7 billion stadium deal, giving the green light for the redevelopment of the 180-acre RFK campus. In addition to the stadium, the project aims to bring entertainment, retail, restaurants, housing and more to the campus.
According to the city’s timeline, construction on the Commanders stadium is slated to begin in fall 2027, with an expected opening in 2030.
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Trying to choose “the most memorable moment in RFK Stadium history,” since it opened in 1961, is as fruitless as trying to choose the best meal ever. WTOP is breaking it down into more manageable chunks.
Trying to choose “the most memorable moment in RFK Stadium history,” since it opened in 1961, is as fruitless as trying to choose the best meal ever.
Rather than an attempt an impossibly subjective task, WTOP is breaking down some of the memories into four more manageable groups, and talking about those memorable events with people who remember them well.
So, without further ado …
Memorable moments on the football field
The first sporting event at what was then D.C. Stadium was Oct. 1, 1961, when Washington’s Burgundy and Gold took on the New York Giants. Washington lost, 24-21 in front of a crowd of 36,767, including President John F. Kennedy.
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Relive RFK Stadium’s greatest moments, from the gridiron to Beatlemania
Frank Herzog was the play-by-play voice for Washington’s radio broadcasts from 1979 through 2004, teaming with Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff.
“RFK had an atmosphere that was it’s own,” Herzog told WTOP. “The tradition was rich, and it was just a very special place to be.”
Asked for his most vivid memories, Herzog barely hesitated: “Darrell Green, Darryl Grant and the seat cushion game.”
In the fourth quarter of the 1987 NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings, with the winner going to the Super Bowl, Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson threw a pass in the left flat.
“Darrell Green dove in front of the receiver, knocked the ball away, and bang, Washington was in the Super Bowl,” said Herzog. “I recall Joe Gibbs on his knees in prayer.”
Another memorable moment for Herzog was the 1982 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Late in the game, Dexter Manley slaps a pass away from the quarterback, and it falls into the hands of Darryl Grant at the 3-yard line, and he rolls into the end zone for the game winning score,” said Herzog.
This was Grant’s only career touchdown.
“The place went nuts,” said Herzog. “On that play, I was afraid that our radio booth was going to fall to the ground, the stadium shook so hard.”
Grant’s interception and return for a touchdown propelled Washington to Super Bowl XVII, where they defeated the Miami Dolphins.
And then there was the seat cushion game.
On Jan. 4, 1992, during the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Atlanta Falcons, fans had been given gold seat cushions as promotional giveaways.
“Their coach had made some comments about the team and about the fans,” said Herzog.
With about six minutes left in the game, Gerald Riggs scored a 1-yard touchdown to extend Washington’s lead to 23-7.
“When it looked like (the team) had it wrapped up, suddenly the seat cushions flew out of the stands. And as the first ones flew out, there came a flood. It was like a shower, it was unbelievable, and it was delightful.”
Herzog said he hopes the team’s owners will place a chunk of RFK’s foundation somewhere within the new stadium, “In hopes that some of that atmosphere and the ghost of the old RFK will spill over.”
With YouTube and other digital platforms, many memorable moments at RFK can be replayed on demand. But for a lot of people, who witnessed Joe Theismann’s career-ending injury on Monday Night Football, once was enough.
On Nov. 18, 1985, during a game with the New York Giants, Washington tried a flea-flicker play, with John Riggins tossing the ball back to Theismann, to set up a deep pass.
Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor’s horrified reaction after slamming Theismann to the ground made it clear this wasn’t a typical sack.
Theismann suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg. It ended his NFL career at age 36.
President George W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch at D.C.’s RFK Stadium on April 14, 2005. The game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks was the first regular-season baseball game in the nation’s capital in 34 years. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
‘Before there were soccer moms’ and baseball’s return to D.C.
Given D.C. Stadium’s multisport, or cookie cutter design, what eventually became RFK Stadium was made for sports other than football.
The Washington Senators 2.0 played from 1962 through 1971, more than a half-century after baseball writer and humorist Charles Dryden famously wrote in 1904, “Washington — first in war, first in peace, and last in the American League.”
Even with slugger Frank Howard, and manager Ted Williams, after the 1971 season the franchise moved to Arlington, Texas, and became the Texas Rangers.
Thirty-three years later, after decades without the nation’s capital having a team playing the national pastime, the Montreal Expos relocated to D.C. in April 2005, and became the Washington Nationals — this time playing in the National League.
For three years, as a new stadium was being built, the Nats called RFK Stadium home. President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch in the April 14, 2005, game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Soccer got several big boosts at RFK.
“We didn’t have soccer moms, minivans weren’t invented yet,” remembers Dave Johnson, longtime WTOP sports director, and the voice of D.C. United since the club’s inaugural season in 1996.
“It was 1975, and Pele was coming to Washington to play the hometown Washington Diplomats at RFK Stadium,” said Johnson. When Pele and the New York Cosmos played in D.C., it was the largest crowd ever at the time for the original North American Soccer League.
“And pregame, Pele’s at the White House with President Gerald Ford at the time, and he’s juggling the ball,” on his feet and head as Ford watched in appreciation, Johnson said. “This game that we barely knew about, suddenly it was part of the White House.”
A quarter-century later, women’s soccer became a phenomenon.
“April 2001, RFK Stadium was the launching pad for the first professional women’s soccer league in the world, when Mia Hamm and the Washington Freedom played the first-ever game in the league,” said Johnson. “Mia Hamm, from Lake Braddock High School in Fairfax, Virginia, the best player in the world, making history in her hometown.”
In 2002, the parking lots and roads near RFK were converted into a 1.66 mile street race circuit for the American Le Mans Series. Despite plans for a 10-year contract, it was the only year the Grand Prix was held at RFK, because of noise complaints.
The British pop group, The Beatles, are seen holding a news conference at the District of Columbia stadium in Washington before their concert on Aug. 15, 1966. Pictured, from left to right, are: Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison. (AP Photo/Harvey Georges)
The second and final time The Beatles played in Washington
With far less hoopla than when The Beatles played their first U.S. concert on Feb. 11, 1964 at the Washington Coliseum, the Fab Four played one of their final concerts in Washington, at what was still called D.C. Stadium.
“It was Monday, Aug. 15, of 1966,” said Russ Lease, Beatles historian and CEO of BeatleSuits.com. “In the ’66 tour’ they did 14 cities, and D.C. was the fourth stop.”
The “Revolver” album had just come out, but The Beatles didn’t play any songs from the groundbreaking album during the tour. “The music had gotten a little more complicated, with more sound effects, and would have been more difficult to reproduce on stage, so they went with the basic 12-song rock ‘n’ roll set,” said Lease.
Did fans who bought tickets realize this would be The Beatles’ last tour?
“No, nobody knew that this was going to be their last one,” said Lease. “And I’m not even sure that they had definitely made up their mind.”
The Beatles arrived at National Airport in the early afternoon, and headed toward the Shoreham hotel, where they had stayed during their first visit, said Lease.
“On the way to the Shoreham, right after getting off the plane, they actually stopped by the White House,” Lease said. A member of the promoter’s staff got out of the car “and asked if they could get a White House tour, and they were immediately told no, because nothing was set up in advance,” said Lease.
After relaxing at the hotel, the band held a news conference at RFK Stadium in the Senators locker room. Many of the questions were directed at John Lennon, who had recently made his “The Beatles are more popular than Jesus,” remark.
“John was trying to deflect it, and was saying that it was taken out of context,” said Lease. When asked to comment on a report that said his comment had been a publicity stunt, Lennon scoffed: “Well, that is one of the most stupid versions of it. That wasn’t a publicity stunt at all. We don’t need bad publicity.”
While The Beatles fielded questions about Lennon’s quote, “Outside the stadium that night, the Maryland chapter of the KKK had a three-member demonstration,” said Lease.
Two weeks after playing at RFK, The Beatles final concert was Aug. 29, 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
‘It was crazy:’ Odd happenings at RFK
The largest mass wedding in U.S. history was held at RFK Stadium. On Nov. 29, 1997, Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church married approximately 7,000 couples in a combination of arranged marriages and reaffirmations of vows.
On the other end of the spectrum, RFK Stadium played a role in the largest mass arrest in U.S. history. During 1971, May Day protests against the Vietnam War resulted in more than 12,000 arrests over the course of three days, starting on May 3.
With jails and court cells filled, hundreds were bused and trucked to RFK Stadium, where a makeshift outdoor detention facility was established.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a class suit, seeking to expunge the arrest records, saying that the Nixon administration, anticipating civil disobedience deployed thousands of police and military personnel, who arrested not only protesters, but bystanders.
According to the ACLU, only 79 people were convicted.
After presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was killed on June 5, 1968, there was a groundswell of support to rename D.C. Stadium in his honor. However, after President Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek reelection, those close to the then-president said he wanted D.C. Stadium to be named for RFK as he left office.
Days before Richard Nixon was sworn in, since D.C. Stadium was on National Park Service land, Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, a JFK appointee, signed-off on renaming D.C. Stadium as Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, without LBJ’s knowledge.
A few years before the final regularly scheduled event at RFK — the Oct. 22, 2017 regular season soccer match between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls, and the series of “Goodbye RFK” events in 2022 and 2023, one of the strangest images ever seen at RFK was captured.
In this July 4, 2015 file photo, The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl performs with a cast at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Nick Wass/Invision/AP, File)
Foo Fighters were scheduled to perform at RFK on July 4, 2015, as part of the band’s 20th anniversary celebration, but that concert was thrown into jeopardy when singer/guitarist Dave Grohl was injured.
“He fell off the stage somewhere in Europe and broke his leg.,” said Seth Hurwitz, whose I.M.P. Productions was the promoter of the show.
Hurwitz tells WTOP that shortly after learning of the severity of Grohl’s injury, “He was in the hospital when I texted him, and he said, ‘We’re playing the gig.’”
Foo Fighters canceled several shows on the tour, yet every time he texted, Grohl, who grew up in Springfield, Virginia, assured Hurwitz the show would go on.
“It’s his hometown. I guess he told his people, ‘I was to do this show, so make it so,’” Hurwitz said.
While Hurwitz was impressed by Grohl’s determination, it wasn’t clear how the former drummer of Nirvana would be able to play guitar and sing with a broken leg.
“I’d heard that they were building him this throne,” said Hurwitz. “I went to the sound check the day before, and there it was — it was crazy.”
The following night, Grohl performed the sold-out show in a custom-built, motorized throne that he had sketched while in the hospital.
“He’s sitting in a chair, in front of 50,000 people, and he’s rocking the house,” marveled Hurwitz.
While images of Grohl on the throne have been widely shared, for the first time you can see video of the contraption Grohl and Foo Fighters decided not to use at RFK.
“He had this thing where he was going to be suspended by wires and go over the crowd,” Hurwitz said. “But he tried it out, and that was just a little too risky, so they said ‘Nah, never mind on that one.’”
Hurwitz shared video he took during the sound check, in which drummer Taylor Hawkins test-drove the device, while Grohl, lying on the stage with his leg. in a cast, enjoyed the moment.
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Four of the Jacksons, from left, Tito, Michael, Marlon on drums, and Randy, are shown performing during their Victory Tour concert at RFK Stadium in D.C., on Sept. 22, 1984.
(AP Photo/Bill Auth)
19/25
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is shown after its transformation from a baseball field for the Washington Nationals to a soccer field for D.C. United, Tuesday, April 5, 2005, in D.C. In a unique setup to placate both MLB and MLS, crews are working furiously to convert RFK Stadium from a ballpark to a soccer pitch so D.C. United can play its home games. The infield dirt was gone and 35 sections of stands had been moved along a set of rails in the outfield. About 20 changeovers will have to happen this season, costing an estimated $40,000 for each one-way conversion.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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After the D.C. Council approved a $3.7 billion plan to build a new Commanders stadium, the D.C. chapter of the Sierra Club said it plans to hold the team accountable during construction.
After the D.C. Council approved a $3.7 billion plan, including more than $1 billion from taxpayers to build a new stadium for the Commanders, the D.C. chapter of the Sierra Club, one of the most famous environmental groups in the world, said it plans to hold the team to account during construction.
In a statement, the group criticized the council for what it called a billion-dollar “giveaway” for the billionaire team owners without having environmental safeguards in place.
David Whitehead, who serves as the director of the D.C. chapter, told WTOP that his group plans to hold the team responsible for protecting the Anacostia River and the surrounding neighborhood through a series of public engagement meetings. He urged the team to consider their sustainability platform for the RFK grounds moving forward.
“We’ve got the zoning commission, we’re going to have lots of different community meetings. The development team is going to be talking to our neighbors for the next couple of years, frankly about what’s going to be happening there,” Whitehead said.
“So, have a lot of points of intervention to try to improve this. And, frankly, the Commanders have a really good opportunity to take the lead on this.”
Whitehead said the Commanders have the opportunity to build the greenest stadium in the country.
The statement issued by Whitehead’s group contends that the construction plan, as it stands now, falls short across the board, namely on its zero waste commitments and efforts to ensure flood protections for the region, among other concerns.
In a statement from Commanders managing partner Josh Harris, the football organization laid out its commitment to a partnership with Recycle Track Systems, a professional waste disposal company that will oversee an effort to keep waste as environmentally responsible as possible.
The Commanders have also agreed to preserve “many” of the legacy trees on the construction site. Environmentalists are concerned about the trees being removed, which could lead to a greater risk of erosion.
“We have an opportunity to really lead sports and entertainment greenifying the stadium on a number of measures,” Whitehead said. “We’re not there today, but I’m hopeful that we can figure that out in the next couple of years. There’s a long way to go.”
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Now that the D.C. Council has approved the $3.7 billion deal that will bring the Washington Commanders back to the nation’s capital, the team and the city will focus on beginning the development of the 180-acre RFK Stadium campus.
Now that the D.C. Council has approved the $3.7 billion deal that will bring the Washington Commanders back to the nation’s capital, the team and the city will focus on beginning the development of the 180-acre RFK Stadium campus.
Matt Winkler, American University professor and director of sports analytics and management, said the final vote will spark a “gold rush.”
“There’s going to be a lot of people looking to be stakeholders, and a lot of people, you know, wanting contracts, wanting to get in early on these opportunities,” Winkler said.
To win the favor of the city and a taxpayer investment of more than $1 billion, the project includes plans for mixed-use development, affordable housing and even a community benefits package. Winkler said that’s what it takes to win over local leaders and residents — a stadium alone doesn’t cut it.
“Now, they’re expected to be these vibrant districts, you know, that deliver value to the city and the public-private partnerships, not just on game day, but really 365 days a year,” Winkler said.
He said the stadium will host year-round events because it will have a roof, allowing for events in inclement or cold weather.
The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills are also working on new stadium developments, but the Commanders face additional hurdles due to the project’s urban location and the fact that many fans it needs to attract don’t live nearby.
“D.C. will have to be more creative in how they do this deal and work in partnership not just with the team, but the civic entities around Capitol Hill,” Winkler said.
He said the team also has to be creative in how it approaches parking, since the traditional big, open lots for tailgating won’t be there.
The team will also have to deal with a longer process to get plans approved, because the redevelopment project must first go through federal review. The National Capital Planning Commission is among the entities that need to sign off.
The commission includes commissioners who represent D.C., Maryland, Virginia and the White House.
“The current administration, and our President, has gotten involved in things like this, so that’s a factor that not many people can say that they have to deal with,” Winkler said.
The commission told WTOP it is awaiting the plans from the city and will work with the National Park Service on reviewing them when they come in.
Those approvals will be followed by local design and permitting requirements, all of which could slow the process.
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said Tuesday the potential for delays prompted leaders to change the deal to no longer require the first housing units be delivered during the year the stadium opens. Instead, the deadline will be three years after the permitting process is done.
Also, Winkler said unlike SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, both stadiums funded by one entity, this project’s success will result from all stakeholders working together.
“This one’s different because it really needs everybody else to come together and move forward, you know, all working together as well, and then fit it in a really tight spot there,” Winkler said.
Despite some of the snags the team could hit moving forward, Winkler said this project will be a revenue maker.
“Making it not just a sports investment, but also a business and real estate strategy,” he said.
Winkler said this project stands out because it will bring a new stadium to a historic site that’s part of the team’s story.
“Adding the historical component and special memories to the, you know, photos, images that are out there of what it can look like, I think people are going to get really excited about it,” Winkler said.
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If the bill passes, it will bring the Washington Commanders back to the District to a brand new stadium. It would also bring redevelopment to the long-neglected 180-acre campus.
The D.C. Council will take its final vote Wednesday afternoon on the Washington Commanders stadium deal. If it passes, the vote will bring the NFL team back to the District. The passage of the RFK Development Act would also bring redevelopment to the long-neglected 180-acre RFK Stadium campus.
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Demolition is underway at the old RFK Stadium
“I’m expecting that there will again be a clear majority in support at second reading,” said D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Tuesday.
Seven votes are needed for the 13-member council to pass the legislation. Only three members voted against it during the first vote in August.
Mendelson said an amended deal has been put together, but the changes do not affect the “major economic terms” of the agreement. Instead, they clarify certain elements of the deal.
“It’s not changing the abatements. It’s not changing what happens with the tax revenues. It’s not changing the funds that are set up to support the ongoing maintenance of the stadium,” Mendelson said.
Some of the changes clarify how a $20 million transportation fund can be used. The amendment also adjusts the timeline for when affordable housing must begin to be delivered, starting three years after zoning for residential properties is approved.
The initial deal had the first portion of housing due by the end of 2030, but Mendelson called that schedule “a little aggressive,” due to the many zoning steps and approvals required before construction can begin.
Some want to save heritage trees
Some residents and organizations have expressed concerns over portions of the bill, including a coalition of more than 30 groups calling for, among other changes, protections for large, established trees on the campus, known as heritage trees.
Speaking near the RFK stadium site, in the median area of East Capitol Street, Nina Albert, D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, said many of those trees will remain.
“We’re standing in the festival grounds, and we’re surrounded by, I think, 20 heritage trees. This represents the vast majority of the heritage trees, and I believe we’ll all work very hard to preserve them. That said, there are some trees that will need to either be relocated or taken down to make way for this project,” Albert said.
Mendelson also said the project will not lead to the removal of all heritage trees.
“The waiver that was in the bill at first reading and is in the amendment in the nature of a substitute, doesn’t say every heritage tree is going to be cut down and the team has made clear that they have no intention of cutting down every heritage tree,” Mendelson said.
Displacement of area residents has also been a concern, which could come up during discussion of expected amendments to the deal. Council member Robert White is among those who have been vocal on the issue, expressing concern that development of the campus could result in residents of the Kingman Park area being pushed out of their homes.
Possible ‘wealth building’ for residents
Mendelson said while the council should monitor whether displacement becomes an issue, the project could also benefit many who live nearby.
“This is not a development project that is taking an existing block of homes or businesses and tearing them down and displacing them. This is a development at the site where there has been a stadium historically. So there may be increased property values, which I rephrase as wealth-building for the residents in the adjacent neighborhoods,” he said.
Some who live near the stadium have expressed concern about whether the roads and Metro station can handle the crowds.
Albert said discussions with the community will take place, and that conversations are already underway about whether a new Metro station is needed at the site.
“Metro is going to be kicking off a study as to the feasibility of expanding their station and maybe even building a new station,” Albert said.
She said she is confident that at least seven “yes” votes are secured to pass the legislation, which she described as a major economic driver.
“The project has been significantly vetted, and the deal has been significantly vetted during the first vote. It got overwhelming support by the council, nine to three vote. And so, I believe that the council has been satisfied with the material points of the deal,” Albert said.
As for whether the city is preparing for the possibility that the deal fails, Albert said she “can’t even conceive” a future with that outcome.
“If that were the outcome, our work to make sure that D.C. residents have jobs, that there’s continued and certain economic activity over the next four years, that profile would change,” she said.
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Demolition is well underway at the old RFK Stadium in D.C., and if you’ve driven by recently, you’ve likely noticed just how much progress has been made.
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Demolition is underway at the old RFK Stadium
Demolition is well underway at the old RFK Stadium in D.C., and if you’ve driven by recently, you’ve likely noticed just how much progress has been made.
One by one, the stadium’s signature roof beams are coming down as crews work from the top down. Much of the upper structure is being dismantled. Metal is being cut and removed by heavy machinery, and eventually, the entire site will be leveled, leaving behind just sand.
“Instead of doing an implosion, which would cause a lot of dust and other particles going into the air, we’re very sensitive to making sure that all of the environmental and safety concerns were our No. 1 priority,” said Steven Johnson, executive vice president of Events D.C., which is overseeing the project.
The city offered a look at the demolition a day before the D.C. Council is set to take its second and final vote on the Commanders stadium deal — a plan that could bring the team back to the RFK site with a newly built stadium.
Built in 1961, the original RFK Stadium was not only home to D.C.’s NFL team but also hosted D.C. United for several seasons.
It was where the Washington Commanders defeated the Minnesota Vikings in 1988 to advance to the Super Bowl, which they would go on to win against the Denver Broncos. It’s also the site where, in 1966, The Beatles made history with a performance for more than 31,000 fans.
In the area that once held the turf where Washington football and D.C. United history was made, heavy machinery is now at work.
“One is a crane, and also another piece of equipment to take down the upper parts of the footings of the actual stadium,” Johnson said.
Nina Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, said watching the stadium come down is “pretty neat.”
“To see a structure of this magnitude being brought down piece by piece is really dramatic. I mean, it’s incredibly exciting. We’re starting to see the literal steel structure of it, and it kind of reveals new layers of, you know, kind of honestly beautiful design,” Albert said.
She added that the ability to see down to the Anacostia River without the stadium obstructing the view will be “insane.”
“We haven’t seen this view in what, 60 years, and so I would say we should all take advantage of it over the next two to three years before construction begins, and capture what it was like to have an open view to the Anacostia from this particular point,” she said.
Many of the roof beams are already gone, and Johnson said whether the Commanders stadium deal goes through or not, RFK had to come down due to safety concerns.
With 814 tons of old metal soon to be on the ground, the city is already thinking about how to give some of it new life.
“We are currently engaged in conversations with local D.C. artists as to how they can even try to use some of those materials to put in their current art pieces,” Johnson said.
Seats from the stadium are also up for sale, and Johnson said they are exploring the idea of offering more relics to fans from the demolition, which is expected to be completed by fall of next year.
With just a week to go before the D.C. Council takes its final vote on the RFK stadium redevelopment deal, a coalition of more than 30 organizations is making a last-ditch effort to secure changes they say are critical to protecting the environment and ensuring community benefits.
Nisha Patruni is a member of the RFK Future Task Force.(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Nisha Patruni is a member of the RFK Future Task Force.(WTOP/Mike Murillo)
There’s just a week to go before the D.C. Council takes its final vote on the RFK stadium redevelopment deal. A coalition of more than 30 organizations, many of which previously opposed the project, is making a last-ditch effort to secure changes they say are critical to protecting the environment and ensuring community benefits.
In a Hail Mary joining of forces, the coalition is urging lawmakers to strengthen environmental protections, clarify and enforce the community benefits agreement, and move up the timeline for affordable housing construction.
“Sure, I think after the first vote that happened with the council, there was a lot of great progress that was made,” said Nisha Patruni, a member of the RFK Future Task Force and a Kingman Park resident. “But as a group of invested community organizations, we felt like there is still more progress that should be made, and more adjustments or commitments that we want to see.”
Among the concerns featured in the coalition’s Sept. 10 statement of accountability is the $50 million community benefits package promised by the Commanders, which includes plans like bringing a grocery store to Ward 7. But Patruni said the current legislation lacks clarity.
“Right now in the legislation, the community benefits agreement is not detailed enough,” she said. “We’re looking for a really clearly outlined community benefits agreement that is also enforceable … and to ensure that all of the invested community groups have a say in what those community benefits look like.”
Looking to protect the environment
The coalition also wants to see stronger environmental protections, including a rollback of a provision that allows the removal of more than 30 heritage trees.
“Lots of groups feel really strongly to make sure we protect the river, protect those trees and also protect the neighborhood,” Patruni said.
Transportation is another priority. The coalition is pushing for Metro capacity to be expanded in time for the stadium’s opening and for residential neighborhoods to be shielded from traffic overflow.
“We want to increase Metro capacity,” Patruni said.
Some money is set aside in the deal for Metro improvements if necessary, and the team has said it would work with Wards 6 and 7 on traffic.
“We really want to see more commitments around the parking that’s going to be in the residential areas — how we’re going to protect the inflow of traffic, especially cars into the surrounding neighborhoods.”
The organizations are also calling for the creation of an environmental oversight committee to monitor the project and ensure compliance with sustainability goals. They want the D.C. attorney general to be empowered to enforce environmental requirements.
Priority to safeguard the community surrounding RFK site
Despite initial opposition to the stadium project, Patruni said many in the community are now focused on ensuring the development benefits residents.
“We as a community are excited about the development that can happen,” she said. “Bringing retail, bringing more housing, really making our community even more walkable and vibrant than it already is — that’s really exciting.”
The coalition’s letter also called for a requirement that affordable housing be completed by 2036, several years ahead of the current schedule.
City Council Chair Phil Mendelson’s office did not comment directly on the coalition’s requests but confirmed that some amendments are expected ahead of the final vote. However, it remains unclear what those amendments will include.
When asked for comment, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office provided a previously issued statement: “The era of a crumbling sea of asphalt on the banks of the Anacostia is finally coming to an end. In its place, we will bring our team home and deliver a state-of-the-art, Super Bowl-ready stadium for our Commanders, more than 6,000 new homes for DC residents, a SportsPlex for our kids, parks and recreation space for the community, and so much more.”
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The D.C. Council has advanced the RFK Stadium redevelopment plan, allowing the removal of 31 protected heritage trees to make way for a $3.7 billion project backed by the Washington Commanders. Environmental advocates warn the move could set a dangerous precedent for future developments across the District.
A Casey Trees employee measures a heritage tree near the RFK Stadium. (Credit Casey Trees)
A Casey Trees employee measures a heritage tree near the RFK Stadium. (Credit Casey Trees)
The D.C. Council is moving forward with legislation that would allow the removal of dozens of protected trees as part of a multibillion-dollar plan to redevelop the RFK Stadium campus.
The “Robert F. Kennedy Campus Redevelopment Act of 2025,” backed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, would permit the Washington Commanders to cut down 31 “heritage trees,” large and mature trees that are normally protected under city law.
The council voted 9-3 on Aug. 1 to give the redevelopment plan initial approval.
Instead of paying nearly $1 million in penalties, the team will be charged a reduced fee.
The exemption is part of a $3.7 billion redevelopment package that includes a new football stadium, housing, retail, restaurants and public spaces. The Commanders have pledged $2.7 billion toward the project, with the city contributing more than $1 billion.
If approved, it would be only the third exemption to the District’s tree canopy protections since they were enacted in 2002. The legislation could set a bad precedent for other developers who would remove similar large trees without regard to the impact to the environment, according to Casey Trees, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the tree canopy in D.C.
“Developers should be considering each existing heritage and special tree on a case-by-case basis instead of cutting down everything that took decades to grow,” communications director Vincent Drader told WTOP.
“It’s not just about RFK. If left unchecked this kind of exemption could set a troubling precedent that would turn RFK into a blueprint for future unsustainable development across D.C.,” he added.
Drader said the loss of mature trees could increase temperatures in surrounding neighborhoods.
“They provide shade for the community and stormwater runoff protection,” Drader said, adding the surrounding area already doesn’t have enough trees. “The trees on this site are over 60 years old, some of them are over four feet wide.”
The proposal comes as the Department of Energy and Environment faces significant budget reductions. Bowser’s fiscal 2026 budget plan would cut more than $70 million from the agency, though the council restored a portion of that funding.
The nonprofit has launched a petition asking the council to remove the exemption before its final vote that’s scheduled for Sept. 17.
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The HFStival will return to the District for the first time in 13 years on Saturday with a full day of alt-rock at Nationals Park.
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Popular music festival HFStival returns to DC
One of the D.C. area’s most popular music festivals — the HFStival — will return to the District for the first time in 13 years on Saturday with a full day of alt-rock at Nationals Park.
Back in the day, WHFS was the station that introduced D.C.-area music fans to artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, NRBQ, Emmylou Harris, Tom Waits, Bob Marley, and many more.
Making use of the station’s call letters, the HFStival (pronounced H-F-S-tival) was launched by the alternative rock station in 1990. It ran every summer through 2006, moving from Lake Fairfax Park in Virginia, to the Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to RFK stadium until 2004, when it was moved to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
A smaller version of the festival was held at Merriweather Post Pavilion in 2010 and 2011.
“People used to look forward to it every year like it was Christmas or something,” said Seth Hurwitz, owner of I.M.P. Productions, who is promoting his first show at Nats Park. “We’re hoping to make it like that again.”
Headliners include The Postal Service and Death Cab For Cutie. Many of the bands in this year’s lineup played at earlier HFStivals at RFK Stadium, including Violent Femmes, Bush, and Incubus.
Garbage was originally scheduled to play at this year’s HFStival, but had to cancel in August, when singer Shirley Manson was injured. Liz Phair will perform.
Hurwitz said this year’s show will have some contrasts with shows at RFK.
“The zoo that used to be the HFStival, it used to be an Ironman triathlete thing to be there all day,” at the now-empty stadium in Southeast D.C., he said.
While “some people might remember that fondly, I don’t think, 20 years later, that that’s what you want to go do,” said Hurwitz, who believes fans will appreciate the creature comforts of this year’s festival. “The food is great at Nats Park — it’s a comfortable place to see a show.”
Longtime fans will probably experience the music differently in 2024. “When you’re young and you like to mosh, it’s not quite like that now — it’s going to be a more comfortable version of that,” Hurwitz predicted.
Over the years, Hurwitz has seen — and booked — many of the bands at his other venues, including 9:30 Club, The Anthem, and The Atlantis.
“Sometimes you’re afraid to go see a band you saw a long time again, and you think ‘Maybe they should quit.’ But we’ve picked the best of these bands that are still around,” Hurwitz said.
“Some of these bands, younger people may have never seen,” said Hurwitz, who is 66. “People our age — pardon me, Neal — would like to see them again.” (For the record, this reporter is a mere 65)
Saturday’s show will be the final performance for The Postal Service, which has spent the past two years co-headlining with Death Cab for Cutie, which both feature singer/songwriter Ben Gibbard.
“Those two acts played Merriweather Post (which I. M. P. operates), and sold out in a minute. Then they played two shows at The Anthem, so that was 27,000 tickets that blew out,” said Hurwitz.
It’s too soon to say whether the HFStival will become a yearly event, said Hurwitz.
“I’m gonna wait and see how this turns out, Saturday. I think it’s going to be great — we’re gonna give it a shot,” he said.
Here are the set times, as provided by I.M.P.:
12:00 PM – On-stage Radio DJ Reunion • 12:30 PM – LIT • 1:00 PM – Filter • 1:30 PM – Tonic • 2:10 PM – Violent Femmes • 3:00 PM – Girl Talk • 4:00 PM – Jimmy Eat World • 5:00 PM – Liz Phair • 6:00 PM – Bush • 7:20 PM – Incubus • 8:50 PM – Death Cab for Cutie • 9:50 PM – The Postal Service
Editor’s Note: Provides set times, and notes that Liz Phair will replace Garbage.
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A U.S. Senate panel has begun considering legislation that could help D.C. in its effort to redevelop the RFK stadium site and bring back the Washington Commanders.
For all the latest developments in Congress, follow WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller at Today on the Hill.
A U.S. Senate panel has begun considering legislation that could help D.C. in its effort to redevelop the RFK stadium site and bring back the Washington Commanders. But the bill remains a long way from the legislative goal line.
The Senate National Parks Subcommittee on Wednesday took up the measure, as Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., kicked off an effort to use his political leverage to advance the legislation on his terms.
Daines said he will hold up the bill, unless the Commanders work out an agreement with the Native American family that was involved in creating the team’s logo that was featured during its heyday.
Daines said he wants to help the family of Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, a member of the Blackfeet Nation from his state, get the recognition he feels is deserved.
Wetzel designed the logo that appeared prominently on the team’s helmets and a wide range of team paraphernalia for decades.
As he spoke on Wednesday, Daines placed an old helmet featuring the logo and autographs from former players on the dais in front of him.
“I am proud to display it here today,” said Daines, noting he has no intention to bring back the team’s old name. “This logo was inspired and envisioned by Wetzel as a tribute to Native Americans.”
Daines said he spoke with the Wetzel family Tuesday night and hopes the matter can be resolved.
The Washington Post reported this week that a Wetzel family member had met with team representatives and that initial discussions were positive.
The House has already passed the legislation that is now before the Senate. The bill would allow D.C. to enter into a 99-year lease for the site, which is currently under the control of the National Park Service.
Mayor Muriel Bowser is a supporter of the legislation, which she said she hopes will usher in a new era with the Commanders in the District. Maryland hopes to keep the team, as its new owners consider possible stadium sites. Virginia has also offered up various proposals to attract the team to the Commonwealth.
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