D.C. officials released a draft of its RFK Master Plan, which maps out where new housing, recreation and retail developments will be featured around the future stadium of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
The plan calls for up to 6,500 new units of housing, with 30% of them designated as affordable, and to establish a commercial footprint that will create 2,000 jobs on the 180-acre plot.
The draft said it will prioritize parks and recreation spaces, including access to Kingman and Heritage Islands on the Anacostia River, as well as redesigned roadways to support gameday traffic once the stadium opens in 2030.
Officials said the revitalized area around the new stadium will bring in $4 billion in tax revenue over the next 30 years.
“We are taking another step forward in our promise to District residents and businesses — to plan not just for a world-class stadium, but for a community-centric 365-day campus that will drive growth for years to come,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement. “Now, let’s work together toward the final goal — to finalize a plan rich in amenities like housing, parks, and entertainment.”
The plan divides the area into six districts anchored by the Stadium District in the center.
The Plaza District will serve as a dining and entertainment hub, while the Riverfront District aims to bring housing, retail and hotels to a development sitting near the river.
The Commanders will lead development of the Stadium, Plaza and Riverfront sections of the plan, city officials said.
The District will be responsible for the Recreation District and Kingman Commons, which bring a mix of athletic fields, residential housing and open green space for sports and other events.
The city will also revamp the Anacostia Commons by offering new trails and access to the water. As for parking, 2,000 surface lot spaces and 6,000 garage spaces are proposed in the draft.
The District’s Office of Planning said it spoke with more than 1,700 residents at 33 events to craft the master plan and identify what to prioritize.
The draft will now undergo a public comment period until Aug. 14. Several events hosted by the Office of Planning will solicit opinions from the area’s residents.
“Throughout this process, our team met with hundreds of residents and received over 4,000 comments online,” said Office of Planning Director Anita Cozart. “We’ve created this draft plan with you in mind — whether you’re a neighbor, a business owner, a sports fan, or excited to see the redeveloped campus as a new hub in the District.”
How the roads will look in the completed project remains an open question.
City officials said transportation studies will need to be conducted as the development comes to life and environmental reviews are completed.
The draft suggests making a new road that connects to Benning Road Northeast, near the top of the project area, with Independence Avenue turning into a two-way street.
Beyond traffic, the plan emphasizes relying on rail transit for fans and visitors to reach the site, such as through the Stadium-Armory Metro Station just minutes away.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority officials said last month that they want to revamp the station to accommodate the gameday crowds expected in the coming years.
Improvements include new faregates, wider entrances, redesigned mezzanines to handle packed platforms, and new elevators and escalators.
Metro officials warned that gameday crowds could be stuck idling at the station for two hours if the improvements aren’t made.
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