Testimony: Board of Trade Recommends Transit Lead the Way for RFK Campus Redevelopment
About This Testimony:
The Greater Washington Board of Trade is urging the District to take a transit-first approach to the RFK Campus redevelopment, emphasizing that the project’s long-term success will depend on safe, reliable, and convenient access. The testimony supports expanded capacity at Stadium-Armory, advancement of the proposed Gold Line bus rapid transit service, and close coordination among the District, Metro, the Commanders, and other partners. These investments would not only support major events, but also improve daily mobility, expand access to jobs, strengthen surrounding neighborhoods, and enhance the region’s economic competitiveness.
Submitted Testimony:
July 15, 2026
Councilmember Allen, Councilmember Felder, and other members of the Council:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony regarding transit planning for the RFK Campus redevelopment. My name is Jack McDougle, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. We represent hundreds of businesses and employers across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia and work to advance the economic competitiveness of the Greater Washington region.
The Board of Trade has long viewed Metro as essential economic infrastructure and has consistently supported the regional investment and coordination necessary to maintain and strengthen the system. That same principle applies here: a project of this scale will only reach its full economic and community potential if the necessary transportation investments are planned and delivered alongside the redevelopment.
The redevelopment of the RFK Campus represents a significant opportunity for the District and the region. The planned stadium, housing, commercial development, public spaces, and related amenities have the potential to create a vibrant new destination, generate economic activity, and strengthen connections between neighborhoods and communities.
The success of that redevelopment will depend in large part on whether people can reach it safely, reliably, and conveniently.
The Board of Trade strongly supports a transit-first approach to the RFK Campus. A development of this scale cannot rely primarily on private vehicles and parking. With as many as 38,000 people potentially using Metro to travel to and from major events, the ability of the transit system to safely and reliably accommodate demand will be fundamental to the success of the redevelopment.
Metro and the District are moving in the right direction by planning for increased rail capacity at Stadium-Armory, advancing the proposed Gold Line bus rapid transit service, and improving access to the campus. These investments will be important not only for stadium operations, but also for the broader redevelopment and surrounding communities.
The Gold Line, in particular, has the potential to create a stronger east-west connection across the District, expanding access to jobs and economic activity for residents and businesses well beyond the RFK Campus. These improvements should be viewed not simply as event-day infrastructure, but as long-term investments in daily mobility, neighborhood growth, and regional competitiveness.
Reliable transit expands access to jobs, supports housing and commercial growth, strengthens the customer base for local businesses, and helps attract continued investment in the RFK Campus and surrounding neighborhoods. It also helps ensure that the economic benefits of the redevelopment are accessible to people throughout the city and across the region.
The RFK Campus presents an opportunity to demonstrate how major development and transportation planning should work together. Too often, transportation infrastructure is addressed after development decisions have been made. In this case, the District, Metro, and their partners have the opportunity to plan early, coordinate across agencies, and build transportation capacity alongside the redevelopment itself.
There is still substantial work ahead. The District, Metro, the Commanders, and other partners will need to maintain close coordination, establish clear responsibilities, and make timely decisions to ensure the transportation system is ready when the stadium and surrounding development open.
The anticipated August 2030 opening may appear distant, but major transportation projects require years of planning, design, construction, and testing. Continued momentum will be essential.
The Board of Trade encourages the Council to continue supporting the planning, funding, and coordination necessary to deliver the Stadium-Armory improvements, advance the Gold Line, and make the RFK Campus a truly transit-first development. Getting this right will strengthen the redevelopment, benefit surrounding communities, and contribute to the long-term mobility and competitiveness of the Greater Washington region.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
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