NAACP, advocates urge transit-first approach for RFK redevelopment; warn against large parking garages

Representatives from the NAACP Washington DC branch and multiple transit advocates urged the council to require any redevelopment at the RFK Stadium site to prioritize transit, active modes and limited parking.

NAACP position: William Washburn, chair of the NAACP Washington DC branch's environmental and climate justice committee, told the panel the city should avoid spending hundreds of millions on parking; he suggested limiting parking to 500'1,000 enclosed spaces, prioritizing walkability and enlarging the Stadium-Armory Metro station. Washburn recommended enclosed parking and a strong transit-first plan to avoid gridlock and to limit air-pollution impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.

Transit advocates: Mike Litt and others urged reinvestment in bus priority, electrified frequent replacement service for the streetcar and an infill Metro station at Benning/Oklahoma as alternatives to expansive parking. Several witnesses noted that large parking garages on a redeveloped RFK site would transfer traffic impacts and emissions to surrounding residential neighborhoods and could conflict with the city's climate and Vision Zero goals.

Committee response: Chair Charles Allen said the city must lead with transit when redeveloping RFK and questioned proposals that would add thousands of parking spaces without corresponding investment in Metro capacity. He suggested a new infill Metro station and stronger east-side rapid transit connections should be prioritized over parking.