Redskins Still Might Return to RFK Land Despite Neighbors’ Opposition

(Updated at 1:40 p.m.) The organization managing the RFK Stadium campus has not ruled out a proposal to bring the Redskins back to the property despite significant resistance last night from locals who live nearby.

Events DC, which oversees the stadium, D.C. Armory and surrounding grounds, still is reviewing plans for a professional football stadium, along with other suggestions for the area, organization officials told dozens of residents at a community meeting. The D.C. events authority is expected to reveal its recommendations for the space by January, said Gregory O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC.

“There will be other options that will not include a stadium as part of the concepts,” O’Dell said, after several locals expressed displeasure with a Redskins return.

The meeting came a week after Mayor Muriel Bowser told ANC 6B commissioner Brian Flahaven that she is planning to put a new football stadium on the RFK campus and Events DC’s recommendations for the land will serve as a contingency plan. Events DC hasn’t been included in any discussions with Redskins officials on the property, O’Dell noted.

But in order for the Redskins to make their home on the RFK Stadium grounds again, the team would need approval from the National Park Service, which owns the land. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, who oversees the agency, told Bowser earlier this year that the Obama administration isn’t inclined to let the Redskins build a new stadium on the property unless the team has a new name.

During the community meeting, many locals suggested converting the RFK campus into green space, including athletic fields and parks.

RFK community joining together to bring ideas to the table. pic.twitter.com/CaSjJVQgFc

— Events DC (@DCSportsEnt) September 16, 2015

But some of them feared that their ideas for the area won’t be taken seriously.

@OConnellPostbiz so far, no one has advocated for football. Given strong opposition, why does @MayorBowser support the idea?

— Denise Rucker Krepp (@kdrkrepp) September 16, 2015

Sounds like @DCSportsEnt is committed to coming up w/ an NFL Stadium alternative even if community says "no thanks" #rfk

— Brian Flahaven (@BFlahaven) September 17, 2015

Events DC is scheduled to have another community meeting on the future of the property Sept. 30.

Photo via Google Maps