Council approves transfer of RFK Stadium campus to District control

The Council of the District of Columbia unanimously approved an emergency declaration and related resolution to accept administrative jurisdiction of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium campus from the National Park Service.

The emergency declaration, PR26-55, and the accompanying local resolution effectuate a transfer of administrative jurisdiction over approximately 175.6 acres of Reservation 343F in Ward 7 from the federal government to the District. Councilmembers said the transfer is an early step intended to allow the District to plan future redevelopment of the site; any future development, surplus disposition or sale will require separate executive proposals and additional Council approvals.

Why it matters: The RFK transfer returns control of a large, long-underused parcel of land to the District and opens the way for planning and potential redevelopment that councilmembers said could include housing, parks, transportation improvements and other uses. Councilmembers emphasized that while the transfer allows the District to set the terms of future development, it does not itself authorize any specific projects.

Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie presided while members debated and voted. Councilmember Allen described the site as a “blank canvas” and urged a planning approach that prioritizes housing, parks and neighborhood-serving retail rather than assuming a stadium is the default use. “We should pencil in a huge range of housing, some large apartment buildings, some family friendly row houses, some housing specifically set aside for affordable and for seniors,” Allen said. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray (referred to in the transcript as Councilmember White in some remarks) and others also urged prioritizing housing and community benefits. Councilmember Felder, representing Ward 7, called the action “a turning point” and urged community-led planning.

The resolution notes that public law enacted by Congress requires the National Park Service to transfer jurisdiction for at least 99 years and directs the transfer to occur within 180 days of enactment. The executive signed a declaration of covenants on Jan. 14; upon Council approval the plat and covenant will be recorded by the recorder of deeds to effect the administrative transfer. The Council and speakers repeatedly noted that any redevelopment proposals will still be subject to applicable zoning and will require separate Council review and action.

Council discussion also touched on related matters the Council expects to address as planning proceeds, including: community engagement with neighboring neighborhoods (Carver Langston and Trinidad were named), the possibility of a new Metro station or multimodal connections, minimizing parking, and directing proceeds or appraised-value commitments toward parks and National Park Service properties across the city.

The vote was unanimous; Councillor Parker was recorded as present. Councilmembers asked for clarity on timing of next steps but were told that the executive has not provided a specific schedule. The vote satisfied the congressional and local-law review steps needed before recording the plat and enabling future executive planning, public engagement, surplus/disposition or development agreements.

Looking ahead: Councilmembers said the transfer begins a public planning process and that future votes will be required for any specific development, disposition or public funding decisions related to the campus.