Council unanimously passes bill giving DC control of RFK Stadium. What's next?

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has worked for years to get control of the RFK Stadium site. Now that D.C. has control, the real work begins.

The mayor now needs to come up with an economic development plan that D.C. Council approves. FOX 5 checked in with all 12 members of council and estimates 10 are at least open to the possibility of a stadium, but with varying levels of enthusiasm.

What they're saying:

Council members stress it’s early in the process, they aren’t fully aware of what the mayor is formulating to pitch to the Commanders, and that things like infrastructure improvements, housing, economic development and recreational opportunities for residents are more important.

Members of the Council were adamant that the district should be subsidizing the stadium itself.

"I’m not against a stadium. I don’t support putting public dollars behind it. With that. I think it would be a shame to boil this down to just having a stadium or not. I think it should be a mixed recreational use, perhaps including a stadium. But including housing, recreational outlets, transportation, etcetera," Council Member Zachary Parker said.

In a post to X, Bowser said, "DC can control its destiny at the RFK Campus...we have the opportunity to put the land back to productive use for our city. Let’s get to work!"

Mayor Bowser hasn’t said much about the structure of the deal, but previously told FOX 5 she could envision a situation where DC invests in the land around the stadium.

What's next:

Commanders Owner Josh Harris declined to reveal anything about the type of deal he was looking to make as he decides between Maryland and the District.

The timeline of what happens next is unclear, but Harris said at a press conference Monday that he still anticipates playing home games in a new stadium by 2030.

NewsWashington, D.C.