Jul 31, 2025 Board of Trade

Testimony to DC Council: Board of Trade Supports Bill for RFK Site Redevelopment

Update: The Washington Commanders secured a major milestone in the effort to bring professional football back to the District. On August 1st, the D.C. Council voted 9–3 in favor of legislation that would pave the way for the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site, thus marking a pivotal first step in transforming one of the city’s most iconic but long-dormant properties into a vibrant, multi-use destination. This vote signals renewed momentum for a project that has implications far beyond the stadium walls. At its core, the redevelopment of the RFK site represents a commitment to regionalism with an investment in shared assets that generate economic activity, draw visitors, and enhance quality of life across jurisdictional lines.

About this Testimony:

The Board of Trade testified a second time before the D.C. Council and sent a letter to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson in support of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposal to bring the Washington Commanders back to the District as part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment of the RFK site. We again highlighted the opportunity not just as a sports project, but as a catalyst for long-term economic growth, fiscal strength, and regional competitiveness.

Previous Testimony on RFK Site Redevelopment to D.C. Council

Testimony Recording from DC Council Meeting: 

Letter to Chairman Mendelson:

Good Morning, Chairman Mendelson and members of the Council. 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Founded in 1889, our nonpartisan organization represents hundreds of employers across the Greater Washington region—spanning industry, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. We’re committed to advancing inclusive economic growth and strengthening the city’s competitive position. 

My name is Daniel Flores, and I’m here to express our strong support for the Mayor’s proposal to bring the Washington Commanders back to the District through a new stadium and mixed use development at the old RFK stadium site. This moment is about far more than building a stadium—it’s about unlocking the full potential of a high-impact site to become a bold, mixed-use destination that embodies the future of urban development. With smart, forward-looking planning, this space can be transformed into a thriving hub for housing, small businesses, transit, recreation, and cultural activity.  

As the District stands at a critical crossroads, we must pursue ambitious solutions that don’t just maintain the status quo but reshape it. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to catalyze long-term prosperity, create new jobs, and strengthen our city’s position as a vibrant, resilient, and equitable capital for decades to come. With a record $2.7 billion private investment—the largest in D.C.’s history—augmented by thoughtfully designed public infrastructure, this project can: 

  • Support over 30,000 jobs and generate $4 billion in new tax revenue and unlock billions more in direct spending.  
  • Revitalize the RFK campus with new housing including 5,000-6,000 new homes for more than 10,000 residents across the campus with at least 30% affordable, maintaining The Fields at RFK and investing $89 million to construct a new state-of-the-art youth sports complex, new parks, retail, recreation, hospitality, and more.  
  • Generate long-term economic diversification through the develop of an inclusive, vibrant neighborhood that serves expanded opportunities for residents, supports small businesses, and boosts regional tourism.  

We recognize the District faces fiscal constraints. That’s precisely why this investment is critical—it leverages private capital to grow the tax base and secure the city’s long-term financial stability, and we have seen the successful transformative power of these kind of investments before. While we have seen several successful projects around the city, including the redevelopments of Nationals Park, Audi Field, and The Wharf—we believe the RFK project has the ability to surpass many of these incredibly successful projects we have already seen throughout the city.  

Time, however, is not on our side. Delays in legislative action or infrastructure investment threaten to derail the project timeline. Missing critical benchmarks this year could push back the stadium’s opening beyond the 2030 NFL season—and with that delay, the District could forfeit an estimated $750 million in lost economic impact from major events like the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, a full season of Commanders home games, and large-scale concerts. This is more than an opportunity cost—it’s a concrete loss to city revenues, jobs, and visibility on the global stage. Additionally, failing to act could invite the opportunity for federal action to interfere with this redevelopment as it can be a signature achievement for the District—one that honors its past, serves its people, and inspires confidence in its future. 

Let’s be clear: this is more than a stadium project. It’s a transformative vision for over 190 acres of largely dormant land in the heart of our capital city. It’s a chance to create an inclusive, vibrant neighborhood that reflects D.C.’s values and positions us as a national leader in urban renewal.  

On behalf of the Board of Trade, I urge the Council to act with urgency and conviction. The pieces are in place and now is the moment to move forward to deliver not just 190 acres of largely dormant land in the core of the district, but a project that will shape the city’s future for generations to come. 

Thank you for your time, and for your leadership on this critical issue. 

Sincerely, 

Jack McDougle

President & CEO

Greater Washington Board of Trade