DarkSky DC and 33 Local Groups Call for Improvements in RFK Stadium Legislation
September 10, 2025 – 33 groups are calling on the DC Council to amend the RFK stadium legislation when it votes on September 17, so that commitments to support the community – especially in housing, environment, community benefits and green space – are fully reflected and guaranteed in the final legislation.
The August 1 vote on the RFK legislation included several community-focused provisions, such as requiring union labor for construction of the stadium and much of the surrounding development. Yet the legislative language lacks clarity in several places or falls short of locking in key commitments made by the Commanders. The initial legislative vote also includes provisions that run contrary to long-standing DC policy and should be changed, such as allowing the destruction of more than 30 heritage trees.
The groups call for the following legislative changes to strengthen accountability:
Spell out elements of the Community Benefits Agreement and make it enforceable
Specify housing and a0ordable housing commitments and enforceable timeline
Create meaningful incentives to ensure timely housing and commercial development
Comply with and strengthen sustainability standards, especially around clean energy, protecting the Anacostia River, limiting waste at the stadium, and increasing Metro capacity before opening day
Protect RFK's Heritage Trees
Guarantee Fair Market Rent for commercial development beyond the stadiumEnsure 30% Green Space set aside is real and fully accessible to the public
“Few things benefit a community more than a healthy, robust, and nurturing natural environment," said Chris Williams, President of the Anacostia Watershed Society, “The RFK stadium deal should include specific commitments to invest in environmental and natural resources protection, as well as drive meaningful compliance with existing environmental laws.”
“To avoid a worse future of more trash, traffic, and pollution, the DC Council must ensure this stadium deal is a true model for sustainable development,” said Mike Litt, chair of the Sierra Club DC Chapter. “That means backing up promises with firm commitments for less waste and parking, and more clean energy and reliable transit.”
“Trees are one of the many reasons Washington, DC is such a great place to live and their shade will benefit both our residents and the thousands of people visiting the stadium for events throughout the year.” said Andrew Schichtel, Executive Director of Casey Trees. “That’s why it’s so critical that the DC Council ensure the site is subject to the existing tree laws that every other Washingtonian must adhere to.”
The detailed list of requests can be found here.
All signed organizations support sports to improve the RFK stadium deal, but each organization is not necessarily advocating for every recommendation listed here.
Statement Sponsors: American Economic Liberties Project, Anacostia Parks and Community Collaborative, Anacostia Watershed Society, Beautify DC, Black Led Zero Waste Coalition, Campaign to Reduce Lead Exposure and Asthma, Capital Nature, Casey Trees, Campaign for Lead Free Water, CCAN Action Fund, City Wildlife, Climate Institute, Committee of 100 on the Federal City, Dark Sky DC, DC Climate Action, DC Environmental Network, DC Fiscal Policy Institute, DC for Democracy, DC Voters for Animals, EARTHDAY.org, Elderly Tenants Associations Presidents and Presenters, Fair Budget Coalition, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Friends of Kingman & Heritage Islands, Nature Forward, No Billionaire’s Playground, RFK Future Task Force, Sierra Club DC Chapter, Ward 8 Woods, Warriors Empowering District Communities, Washington Parks & People, Wentworth Green Strategies, and Washington Interfaith Network.
