Plans for RFK Stadium Overhaul Released

Possible plans for the future of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium complex were released April 4 at a press conference, held by Events DC at the Washington Convention Center.

A total of six proposals were released, two of which called for the return of the Washington Redskins to the District in a brand new 65,000-seat stadium. The Washington Redskins vacated RFK in 1996 in favor of the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. To get the Redskins back home, D.C. leaders would have to entice the team’s owner, Daniel Snyder, with a favorable offer.

Another proposition called for additional development of the property with a 20,000-person arena, jointly occupied by the Capitals and the Wizards.

Other, more short-term projects put forward range from an open-air market to a science center.

Two general design concepts have been introduced for the development.

The first concept, entitled “North-South Axis,” would require considerable re-working of the surrounding grid system. The second idea — “Stitch” — maintains the current street network. Both plans include the construction of pedestrian bridges across the Anacostia River, an urban beach and a family sport and entertainment complex among a number of other amenities for the community.

RFK is currently the home ground of the D.C. United Major League Soccer team, which plans to relocate to a new stadium at Buzzard Point in 2018. Today, RFK has the capacity to seat an audience of 45,600.

The owner of the site, Events DC, is the “official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia.” Other than RFK, its venues include Nationals Park, Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.