Jobs, Metro, concerts: DC residents make demands for RFK Stadium deal
Hundreds of Washington, D.C.residents attended a public hearing held by the D.C.Council to discuss the redevelopment plan for RFK Stadium. over 500 people testified ahead of a council vote on a new deal to bring the Washington Commanders back to the district. While many supported the deal, they emphasized the importance of the stadium serving as a catalyst for local economic growth and job creation, particularly benefiting underserved communities in Wards 5, 7, and 8. Residents called for diverse job opportunities related to construction, event management, and operations, and also expanded stadium uses such as concerts, conventions, and sporting events like boxing. There were also calls for community-focused amenities like artist spaces and enhanced public facilities. The Commanders outlined commitments including sustainable building practices, hiring justice-involved individuals for a portion of jobs, investing $50 million over 30 years in community benefits, and creating various public recreational spaces. Additionally, local advocates requested infrastructure improvements, notably new metro stations, to better serve the area instead of relying on increased parking capacity.
Local jobs, Metro stations, concerts: DC residents make demands for RFK Stadium deal
Hundreds of Washington residents attended a public District of Columbia Council hearing for the RFK Stadium redevelopment plan, putting forth a variety of demands.
Over 500 people testified on Tuesday, according to the D.C. Council. The testimonies come shortly before the council is due to vote on Friday on the renegotiated deal to bring the Washington Commanders back to the district, with the full text of the deal to be published Thursday. Though the full text has not been revealed yet, a clear majority of the witnesses spoke in favor of the deal, many with some caveats.
The foremost concern of witnesses tended to be bringing jobs to the district, with locals urging leaders to use the stadium as a vehicle for economic opportunity and growth.
“Its capacity to shift the trajectory of underserved families, particularly those living in Wards 5, 7, and 8, by creating long-term, well-paying employment can not be underemphasized,” one witness said.
Another resident outlined the kinds of jobs that the stadium deal could provide, including construction, event management, facilities operations, and trade shows.
One woman said the stadium should be expanded to include “boxing matches, concerts, and conventions.”
“Revenue,” she said. “Everybody knows that word, right? We need some revenue in this city.”
One witness used utopian language to describe his dream for the stadium, saying he envisioned “an urban sports oasis” where families could “work, play, and heal.”
“A place where a young person could train and stay in the office, at least during the day, and walk past retail shops, restaurants, and parks at night,” he said.
An artist said she would like the stadium complex to become an area where artists could showcase their work.
The Commanders sent a letter detailing all the commitments they had made outside of funding for the stadium itself. Among the plethora of commitments included developing the spaces “with diverse uses in mind, including, but not limited to, a skate park, pole vaulting areas, a dog park, public plazas, traditional parks, and other public spaces.”
The Commanders also pledged to build the stadium according to LEED standards, utilize “justice-involved individuals” for 15% of construction and permanent jobs, properly memorialize Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, invest $50 million over 30 years in community benefits prioritizing local wards, and more.
Frazer Walton, head of a local civic organization, said at the hearing that he wanted new Metro stations as part of the deal.
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“We don’t want these automobiles,” he said. “We want a Metro station built at Benning [Road] and Oklahoma Avenue.”
The Commanders’ letter said construction on a third parking garage would be paused while they evaluated the necessity of the move.
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