As conversations heat up and plans are made around the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site, one critical voice has been conspicuously missing from the headlines: the Anacostia River. The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), backed by thousands of members, volunteers, and supporters across the District, is calling on D.C. leaders to ensure that the future of the RFK site results in net conservation gains for the Anacostia River and riparian areas adjacent to the site.
Development That Heals, Not Harms
A recent article in the Washington Post (“Where each D.C. Council member stands on the Commanders RFK stadium deal,” June 26, 2025) described each Councilmembers’ position on the development deal with the Washington Commanders ownership group. Councilmembers listed numerous concerns and conditions for their support, including assurances regarding business and job opportunities, affordable housing, and other community benefits, and equitable treatment of sales tax, rent, and other revenues generated at the site – all legitimate and worthy concerns that must be addressed. Largely absent, however, were statements expressing the importance of ensuring that environmental concerns and the health of the adjacent Anacostia River are addressed with equal vigor. More recently, in a 20-page report commissioned by the Council to evaluate the RFK development deal, prepare a “robust Risk Analysis,” and “identify[] areas for District opportunity,” the Robert Bobb consulting group devoted about 75 words to environmental concerns.
Needless to say, this is wholly inadequate. The District of Columbia and its residents have invested and will continue to invest billions of dollars to restore the water quality and riparian habitats of the Anacostia River. Additional millions have been and will be spent to ensure equitable access to the economic, recreational, and aesthetic benefits that the recovering river provides to the people of DC. The redevelopment of the RFK site should be evaluated and planned in this larger context. It should go forward only if the District and the Commanders ensure that the entire redevelopment (the stadium and non-stadium elements of the 180-acre site) does nothing to undercut those past investments, but rather builds on them, ensuring that the project results in a net benefit for the river and riparian areas. A comprehensive plan adopting this approach would include:
- State-of-the-art stormwater management, including nature-based solutions, during construction and operation of the entire 180-acre site to eliminate polluted run-off and mitigate flooding;
- As minimal an energy and carbon footprint as cutting-edge technology and modern facilities management allow;
- Stadium operations that reduce trash to a minimum, including limited use of single-use beverage containers, particularly plastic bottles (a major Anacostia River pollutant);
- Significant investments in wetlands protection and restoration and living shorelines along the river and in Kingman Lake, building on past conservation gains and making the site more climate resilient;
- A transportation plan for the site that emphasizes public transit rather than cars and huge parking structures;
- A robust plan for community access to the amenities of the development, the river, and the Kingman and Heritage Islands.
The Commanders Can Afford to Lead
The District and the Commanders contemplate a joint investment of $3.56 billion. Moreover, the Commanders’ ownership group stands to reap billions in profits long term. The team can afford to do this right by building a world-class stadium complex and contributing to the health and well-being of the Anacostia River and the local community.
AWS understands that the Council faces many competing considerations as it weighs conditions for final passage of a plan for redevelopment of the RFK site. The health and well-being of the Anacostia River and the communities along its banks must be among them. I look forward to continuing dialogue with the Council as you deliberate on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Christopher E. Williams,
President and CEO
Anacostia Watershed Society
