DC council votes yes on RFK Stadium deal. Here's who voted in favor

DC Council votes 9-3 to bring Commanders back to DC

The D.C. Council voted in favor of the RFK Stadium redevelopment plan Friday?the first of two votes. The vote passed nine to three.

WASHINGTON - The D.C. Council voted in favor of the RFK Stadium redevelopment plan Friday—the first of two votes.

The vote passed nine to three. 

Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau, Robert White and Matthew Frumin voted against the deal. 

Here's who voted in favor: 

• Chairman Phil Mendelson
• Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
• Councilmember Anita Bonds
• Councilmember Christina Henderson
• Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto
• Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese George
• Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker
• Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen
• Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder

READ MORE: DC Council holds second hearing on RFK Stadium redevelopment deal

DC Mayor Bowser discusses looming RFK Stadium vote

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser joined FOX 5 DC at our Zip Trip in Washington D.C. just hours before the first of two D.C. Council votes on the RFK Stadium deal.

What's next:

Bowser says that Friday needs to be "vote day" so that the Washington Commanders can start planning as soon as possible. 

"People just focus on 2030 as opening day. But really, as soon as this is approved, we're going to start hiring small businesses. D.C. residents are going to start going to work. And in next year, we'll put a shovel in the ground," said Bowser. 

Big picture view:

The Commanders are offering $2.7 billion in private funding, marking the largest single investment in city history. D.C. taxpayers would contribute just over $1 billion over several years.

The ambitious plan, first unveiled by Mayor Muriel Bowser in April, goes far beyond a new stadium. Key elements include the 65,000-seat domed stadium designed to host Commanders games and national events.

A massive selling point is the proposed 6,000 new housing units, with 1,800 reserved as affordable housing along with retail, hotel and office development across the sprawling 174-acre campus and a $50–$55 million community benefits agreement, including $20 million yearly transportation improvement fund for Metro and road infrastructure.

Chairman Phil Mendelson, who led negotiations for the revised deal, argued that new terms deliver more for residents, including over $900 million in projected tax revenues and greater protections for the District against cost overruns.

However, opposition remains strong. Several councilmembers and advocacy groups, including some pushing for a citywide ballot initiative, question the wisdom of large public subsidies for a for-profit sports franchise. Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder and At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie have called for more investment in affordable housing, green space and job opportunities, beyond what’s tied directly to the team. Councilmember Robert White is seeking a property tax freeze and further labor protections to prevent resident displacement and ensure local benefits.