Building a community vision for the RFK stadium site
A group of neighbors
On June 26th, 2023 members of the nonprofit civic association Friends of Kingman Park came together to discuss ways to survey their neighbors about the future plans for the RFK stadium site, to ensure that local residents’ voices were heard as the District considered the future of the site.
With the stadium set to be demolished by the end of 2023, they decided to survey residents of Kingman Park and the surrounding neighborhoods to better understand community priorities and to craft a vision for the new site that took into consideration what the residents of the areas surrounding the former stadium would like to see.
RFK Future and this website was one outcome of that initial June meeting. The hope is that this website can serve as a community-led hub for information about the project and showcase a vision for the future of the RFK stadium site.
RFK Future began fielding a survey of local residents and canvassed door-to-door on August 16th, 2023.
On October 18th, 2023, RFK Future will present the preliminary results of the survey to Mayor Bowser.
To stay in the loop about future developments, including the findings of the survey, make sure to sign up for our email list.
Useful Resources
Background Information
(2023) RFK Future Presentation of Preliminary Survey Results
(2023) The Economics of Stadium Subsidies: A Policy Retrospective
(2022) The Impact of Professional Sports Franchises and Venues on Local Economies: A Comprehensive Survey
(2001) Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Should Cities Pay for Sports Facilities?
(1997) Brookings Institute: Sports, Jobs, & Taxes: Are New Stadiums Worth the Cost?
(1993) Final Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed stadium at the RFK site.
Press
10/19/2023: WUSA 9: Neighbors around RFK Stadium oppose new stadium project, survey shows
10/19/2023: Washington Informer: In RFK Campus Discussion, Maloof Skate Park Patrons Stand Strong
10/19/2023: Fox 5 News: RFK Stadium being demolished. What will replace it?
10/19/2023: WTOP News: RFK Stadium neighbors weigh the future of the site
10/19/2023: HillRag: Mayor Answers Questions on RFK’s Future
10/19/2023: Washington City Paper: WTF RFK?
10/19/2023: Washington Post: Bowser outlines vision for RFK Stadium site to skeptical residents
10/18/2023: DC News Now: Survey finds majority of participants do not want stadium on RFK site
10/17/2023: NBC Washington: Future of RFK Stadium site to be discussed at public forum
10/1/2023: Washington Post: As Commanders eye RFK, D.C. stadium’s neighbors hope team punts
9/20/2023: Washington Informer: Excitement, Contention Surround D.C.’s RFK Stadium Proposal; Residents Voice Concerns Over Noise Pollution, Traffic
8/3/2023: Washington Post: Help wanted in D.C.: How to finance a new stadium?
8/1/2023: Washington Post: Opinion: Yes, D.C. Needs a Stadium Deal. But not at RFK.
7/29/2023: Washington Post: D.C. Council Mixed in Positions on RFK Stadium, but Backs New Federal Bill.
6/15/2022: Global Sports Matters: So Your City Wants to Build a Stadium. Here’s What to Know.
11/6/2019: DCist: RFK Stadium Once ‘Had A Holy Feel To It.’ Now, Its Days Are Numbered