Rep. James Comer introduces laws that would assist Commanders construct stadium at RFK web site

Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, will introduce Thursday laws that would pave the best way for a brand new Washington Commanders stadium to be constructed on the land of RFK Stadium within the District.

The “D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act” would enable the development of a mixed-use improvement web site that would embrace the constructing of a stadium, recreation services or industrial and residential websites on the federally owned land. The laws requires the federal authorities to increase the lease of the land to the District for as much as 99 years.

Thursday’s laws — which has bipartisan help and is co-sponsored by Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District’s non-voting member within the House — additionally comes every week after Josh Harris took over as proprietor of the Commanders. Building a brand new stadium is among the many largest long-term priorities for the Commanders, whose lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027.

“After discussing city initiatives with D.C. Mayor Bowser and other local stakeholders, it has become clear that addressing the deteriorating conditions at the RFK Memorial stadium site is a top economic priority for the city,” Mr. Comer, Kentucky Republican, mentioned in a press release. “I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, which is lengthy overdue laws that can present D.C. leaders the chance to revitalize the RFK stadium web site.

“This legislation is set to pave the way for local officials to create meaningful new jobs, add millions in city revenue, and transform the Anacostia River waterfront into a lively destination for all.”

Though the laws may enable the development of a brand new stadium at RFK, there are nonetheless obstacles the group may face that will in the end forestall them from doing so. The invoice should cross Congress and be signed into regulation. The chance of a brand new stadium has confronted resistance from the D.C. Council, with a number of members voicing opposition to working with the Commanders over (now former) proprietor Dan Snyder’s sequence of scandals.

The Commanders additionally may produce other choices to construct a stadium in Maryland or Virginia.

As Mr. Comer launched laws Thursday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was set to attend the group’s observe in Ashburn. Mr. Youngkin, a Republican, has been a proponent of the Commanders constructing a stadium within the state, although the governor’s efforts have been stifled lately, as two items of state laws didn’t advance out of a subcommittee final yr. The Virginia Senate additionally rejected a proposal from Mr. Youngkin earlier this yr that known as for the state to commit $500,000 for a stadium examine.

In Maryland, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has appeared open to working with the Commanders. His predecessor, Republican Larry Hogan, signed a deal that known as for the state to borrow as much as $400 million to revamp the realm round FedEx Field.

The Commanders’ sale to Harris figures to be extra palatable for jurisdictions to work with the group. Previously, native officers cited Snyder and the office investigations into the Commanders as causes they objected to a stadium mission.

Since shopping for the Commanders, Harris has been requested about the potential for a stadium at RFK, in addition to his total plans to search out the franchise a brand new house. In Minnesota, the place the NFL accepted the sale, Harris instructed reporters that he understood that RFK is the “spiritual home” for a lot of Commanders followers, however mentioned there have been different priorities that his possession group needed to handle first earlier than engaged on a brand new stadium.

At his introductory press convention a day later, Harris mentioned he and his companions had been centered on creating “great experiences” for followers. The group plans to renovate FedEx Field as they seek for a brand new house, although has but to launch specifics.

“As far as the stadium experience — long run — we would love to have a stadium where the opposing players fear to come, and our fans love to come and our players love to come and feel welcomed,” Harris mentioned. “That’s what I experienced at RFK. And whatever happens with the stadium, that’s the kind of stadium experience I want to create.”

Still, the laws in Congress is critical. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has lengthy advocated for the Commanders to return to the nation’s capital, the place the group performed from 1937 to 1996 earlier than transferring to Landover, Maryland. And over the previous yr, Mr. Comer has embraced working with town and Ms. Bowser to make it a sensible chance.