D.C. Will Say Goodbye to RFK Stadium

It's last sporting tenant departed in 2017, and the District has large redevelopment plans for the site, but the decision to finally raze RFK Stadium has only recently been made official.

1 minute read

September 9, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Washington D.C. Sports

BrianPIrwin / Shutterstock

"The District plans to tear down the dilapidated RFK Stadium by 2021, a move officials say is driven by a need to save money," reports Robert McCartney.

District officials also say the NFL team in Washington does not plans to build a new stadium on the site. "RFK, located on the Anacostia River two miles east of the U.S. Capitol, also was home for a time to both the Nationals and Senators baseball teams, as well as the D.C. United soccer team. It also hosted concerts, including performances by the Beatles, Madonna and Foo Fighters." Its run of sports and entertainment events has lasted for 58 years.

"Since D.C. United left in 2017, RFK has attracted few events and is costing the city $2 million a year for maintenance, landscaping, pest control, security and other services," according to McCartney. "Utility bills add another $1.5 million a year."

As noted by McCartney, the demolition will make it easier to invest nearly $500 million to redevelop the site. That project will add, among other amenities, sports fields for children.

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