The Commanders are set to return to the District of Columbia (D.C.) after the city council greenlit a $3.7 billion project to rebuild a home stadium for the team. The project is expected to begin within the next year.
The project will build a multi-use sportsplex campus at the former RFK Stadium site, covering 180 acres set to be reimagined into a series of districts hosting the sports venue alongside 5,000 to 6,000 housing units. The districts will be divided into the:
- Stadium District
- Plaza District.
- Riverfront District.
- DPR District.
- Kingman Park District.
- Anacostia Commons Riparian Area.
The Commanders organization have already committed to sinking $2.7 billion into the project, with the remaining $1 billion to be supplied by the city. The city council’s overwhelming support and approval for the project signals the team’s reunion with their namesake city after nearly three decades of absence. The stadium is expected to open by 2030, with full buildout completed by 2040.
The Stadium District will predominantly be dedicated to the 65,000-seat RFK Stadium. The facility will be domed, though the team is considering converting it into a retractable roof. The Plaza District will be located directly west of the stadium and expected to feature a mixture of residential, commercial and neighborhood amenities. Some features may include grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, hotels and apartment buildings alongside a dedicated festival plaza for events and activities.
The Riverfront District – situated south of the stadium – will provide extensive housing and mixed-use buildings along the Anacostia River. As with other districts, the Riverfront is also expected to feature restaurants and retail areas alongside connections to the nearby river trail. The Anacostia Commons Riparian Area will run the entire length of the complex’s eastern side along the river. Consisting of a 30-acre stretch of waterfront, the area will prioritize nature access, habitat preservation, trails, parkland and restored landscapes.
The Kingman Park District will be located at the northwestern edge of the site adjacent to the Kingman Park neighborhood. Serving as a transitional residential space, the district will provide lower density housing, community recreation facilities and open space. It will be bordered by the DPR District – an area dedicated to recreational amenities. The project vision calls for a new sportsplex alongside the existing athletic fields. New parking areas are slated for construction across the RFK campus.
Rendering Courtesy of the Government of the District of Columbia, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, from Wikimedia Commons
