New Stadium News?

[CobraCommander]

9 minutes ago, spjunkies said:

 

That's valid. The new jail would likely use the current location.

 

I still think that the armory and hospital land should be in play though. I know it's unlikely to happen since the federal government has to play nice which we all know is a pipe dream. 

I think the Armory is on Federal land while DC General and the jail are dc government land so yeah it’s all gonna be tough to get everyone to work together.

[88Comrade2000]

I think in the end the stadium will not be in DC. 

[CobraCommander]

2 minutes ago, 88Comrade2000 said:

I think in the end the stadium will not be in DC. 

I’d say it’s a long shot. Which is a shame because that site is where all the good things happened.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

This is bizarre...just read the last two pages of this thread and it's filled to the brim with intelligent and respectful dialogue lol...WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!?!

[Skinsinparadise]

 

 

[lavar1156]

2 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

 

 

As a MD resident I'm glad it's off of a green line stop. This spot would be cool.

[Skinsinparadise]

 

[Always A Commander Never A Captain]

3 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

 

 

Now that's intriguing. Would kind of remind we of Pittsburgh with several stadiums all in a bunch by the water.

[JamesMadisonSkins]

13 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

 

 

Would this be a one-off game-day shuttle type scenario? Like one track back and forth across the river?

[lavar1156]

On 5/20/2023 at 11:44 AM, 88Comrade2000 said:

I think in the end the stadium will not be in DC. 

Depends. If the offers are close I think DC will get it. If Maryland offers a way better deal then I think it goes to MD. Either National Harbor or Landover. I would be surprised f it end up in VA.

[88Comrade2000]

That Popular Point site should be the focus. 110 acres still available? That has to be more than anything available at RFK.

 

 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

 

 

 

[JamesMadisonSkins]

I have a hard time seeing it be in MD. 

 

I think it'll either be RFK or Dulles. Dulles might be the farthest out from the core, but it would probably be the most connected site outside of RFK, and I do think being 1 metro stop from an international airport, with planes flying in and out over the stadium, great branding opportunity

[lavar1156]

Wes Moore was on Bmitch and Finlay yesterday. He's all in on keeping the team in PG County.

[Anselmheifer]

Regarding the 110 acre poplar point site, how big is ideal? How big is the fed ex site?

[stoshuaj]

1 hour ago, Anselmheifer said:

Regarding the 110 acre poplar point site, how big is ideal? How big is the fed ex site?

“Team owner Daniel Snyder owns the stadium and roughly 200 acres around the Prince George’s County property”

 

https://theathletic.com/4176783/2022/05/23/as-commanders-search-for-stadium-site-team-procures-200-acres-of-land-in-virginia/?amp=1

[hail2skins]

Sounds like the Jags want to turn their current stadium into SoFi:

 

https://africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37812510/jaguars-unveil-renderings-proposed-stadium-renovation

[Skinsinparadise]

I listened to the Maryland Governor on Finlay-Mitchell.

 

He came off uber aggressive at wanting them to stay in Maryland.   He more or less said if they stayed in their current region with a new stadium --- taxpayer funding is on the table.    He'd build around it the area and improve transportation-access.

 

He came off a 10 out of 10 as for energy and enthusiasm for wanting them.  Finlay brought up the Natonal Harbor, the Governor clearly didn't want that to be the A plan but he came off a bit open to it if this current ownership pushed it.

 

But I'd summarize it as him more or less saying DC and Virginia aren't as aggressive as he will be to get this done.

 

It was a bit wild to listen to because outside of Virginia Governor McAuliiffe years back who was 100% all in at least rhetoric wise -- all the other politicians on this come off a big passive aggressive on the stadiium where they tease a bit saying lets do this and then play a lttle hard to get where its like we are interested but you got to court us some, too.  And they love to stress the hurdles and double down that no taxpayer money is coming.  So it comes off like hey we like you but don't love you.

 

This dude cames off like, I am all over this.  II am not playing games.  Virginia and DC plays games.  Let's not waste any time and get this done ASAP.

Edited June 10, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[mhd24]

10 minutes ago, Skinsinparadise said:

I listened to the Maryland Governor on Finlay-Mitchell.

 

He came off uber aggressive at wanting them to stay in Maryland.   He more or less said if they stayed in their current region with a new stadium --- taxpayer funding is on the table.    He'd build around it the area and improve transportation-access.

 

He came off a 10 out of 10 as for energy and enthusiasm for wanting them.  Finlay brought up the Natonal Harbor, the Governor clearly didn't want that to be the A plan but he came off a bit open to it if this current ownership pushed it.

 

But I'd summarize it as him more or less saying DC and Virginia aren't as aggressive as he will be to get this done.

 

It was a bit wild to listen to because outside of Virginia Governor McAuliiffe years back who was 100% all in at least rhetoric wise -- all the other politicians on this come off a big passive aggressive on the stadiium where they tease a bit saying lets do this and then play a lttle hard to get where its like we are interested but you got to court us some, too.  And they love to stress the hurdles and double down that no taxpayer money is coming.  So it comes off like hey we like you but don't love you.

 

This dude cames off like, I am all over this.  II am not playing games.  Virginia and DC plays games.  Let's not waste any time and get this done ASAP.

 

 

The only problem with Fedex is the location.  Logistically, at least it is on the beltway.  That's a major plus.  If they had a state of the art stadium at Fedex's location, I don't think people would be as angry about its location.  Where else is land available in the region that is beltway accessible?  The pats play 25+ miles from Boston.  If they could get closer to the metro line, (instead of the mile or so that it is now (which isn't horrible frankly), it wouldn't be that bad.

[Skinsinparadise]

8 minutes ago, mhd24 said:

 

 

The only problem with Fedex is the location.  Logistically, at least it is on the beltway.  That's a major plus.  If they had a state of the art stadium at Fedex's location, I don't think people would be as angry about its location.  Where else is land available in the region that is beltway accessible?  The pats play 25+ miles from Boston.  If they could get closer to the metro line, (instead of the mile or so that it is now (which isn't horrible frankly), it wouldn't be that bad.

 

Yeah I know.  Looking at it from my political hat, the Governor's pitch got my attention .  I used to work on legislation and I have a little experience with stadiums (not an expert by a long shot but I worked for a legislator who was courted on it and also did some work for a friend years later who ran a PR campaign to gather community support for one).

 

When you want to get something done on an issue that's complex with potential roadblocks -- its miles easier when you are negotiating with a politician who makes it clear that they are flexible and would do whatever it takes to get it done.  It's rare to have that happen.  But when it does, its tough to ignore.

 

To use a dating metaphor.  Lets say you are chasing three people.  2 of those people show some interest but sort of play the game some where they tease and at times play hard to get to keep you on your toes.  The third person tells you they want you right now.  And suggest to stop playing games with the other 2.    You don't have to worry about games with me.  It's not easy to ignore that.  At a minimum you'd go to the other 2 people and say look do you want me or not?

Edited June 10, 2023 by Skinsinparadise

[Renegade7]

If DC is serious about being able to get land for a stadium different then the RFK site, then that's a game change I don't see Maryland or Virginia competing with.

 

I still believe it should stay under 70k, as bad as folks want them back in DC, I don't believe anyone in Anacostia wants to see what happened to SW waterfront after Nationals stadium was built happen to them.

 

This is a point DC Council has hit on over and over again, hopefully Harris hears it loud and clear.

[Anselmheifer]

I live in Richmond. Put it right here on the river and build around it. 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

[Skinsinparadise]

 

 

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the powerful congressional committee that oversees D.C., is preparing to introduce legislation that could ultimately allow D.C. to build a Washington Commanders football stadium or another mixed-use development at the decrepit RFK Stadium site — a major development in Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s pursuit to bring the team back to the city.

 

A spokesman for the House Oversight Committee on Thursday confirmed Comer is preparing the legislation that could allow D.C. to develop the RFK site, which is on federal land, though he stressed it would not be a land sale. The spokesman, Austin Hacker, said details of the legislation have not been finalized, and talks are ongoing with Bowser’s office.

Comer’s legislation, once it is introduced, could mark a new chapter for D.C. as it competes with Maryland and Virginia for a chance to woo the Commanders to a new stadium from its current site in Prince George’s County, Md. Bowser (D) has long sought to bring the Commanders back to D.C. — although federal legislation freeing up the RFK site would only be a first step in that goal, with a number of hurdles remaining, including a divided D.C. Council who have differing opinions about how the site should be used.

 

Two people familiar with the planned legislation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations said it involved a lease extension, with one of those people describing it as a 99-year lease extension and modification — which would broaden the city’s options for what it could do with the land.

The current RFK lease between D.C. and the National Park Service is slated to end in 2038 and restricts land usage to only sports, recreation and entertainment.

Should Comer’s legislation move forward, D.C. would likely have a seat at the negotiating table as the Commanders seek a new home among the city, Maryland and Virginia, upping the ante in a debate over the future of the team. The exact timing of an introduction of the bill was not yet clear Thursday.

 

Comer’s role in helping to shepherd the RFK deal to D.C. somewhat resembles an olive branch after his House Oversight Committee earlier this year held several contentious hearings in which Republicans lambasted crime and public safety in D.C. But when Bowser appeared before the committee in May, she and Comer struck a cordial tone, with Comer and many other Republicans noticeably reserving their ire for the council. Comer, pledging a desire to work with the mayor, had expressed interest in taking a look at facilitating a “new arena” for the city.

 

“As Chairman Comer mentioned at the hearing with D.C. Mayor Bowser, he is interested in working with her and the city on a wide variety of issues, including the RFK Stadium site,” Hacker, the Oversight Committee spokesman, said in a statement. “Committee staff continue to have fruitful discussions with the Mayor’s team and other stakeholders on these issues.”

Bowser’s office did not immediately comment Thursday evening.

Bowser has enthusiastically pursued returning the Commanders to Washington as the team remakes its image, with a new name, a pending new owner and a search for a new home. And D.C. for years has hoped to obtain control of the massive slab of federal land at RFK — valuable real estate in a city that has limited spaces that large for new development.

[Skinsinparadise]

 

 

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a member of the Oversight Committee who represents the D.C. in the House, introduced legislation in years past that would have given District control over the RFK site. That legislation never made it to the floor for a vote as she’s long fought for statehood for D.C.

“Although Chairman Comer has demonstrated his enthusiasm for meddling with D.C. in his committee’s recent hearings, he is not a D.C. resident and he does not represent D.C. in Congress,” Norton said in a statement to FOS. “While I appreciate his interest in D.C., it’s time the land where RFK sits was in the hands of local officials elected by D.C. residents, since they will be most heavily impacted by decisions about use of the land.”

While Bouser is a proponent of a new Commanders stadium at the RFK site, DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson isn’t. In fact, Mendelson added an amendment to the city’s budget last month that extended a provision that prevents The Washington Convention and Sports Authority from using public funding for a Commanders stadium. 

Even before Harris finalized a deal to purchase the Commanders in May, FOS reported Magic Johnson — who is among 20 limited partners in the ownership group — met with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. 

“The Commanders have called Prince George’s County home for 25 years, and Gov. Wes Moore is committed to continuing this long-standing partnership,” Carter Elliott, Moore’s press secretary, wrote on Twitter.

 

Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers are seeking not to be left behind. 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is expected to introduce legislation to study a stadium authority this summer. However, a special session where a bill would be debated and voted on still hasn’t been scheduled. 

Virginia was the only one of the three jurisdictions serious about luring the Commanders’ next stadium with public funding. But with multiple investigations into Snyder, ongoing at the time, legislation that would have provided about $300 million in public funding was shelved in June 2022.