The District now has control of the RFK campus, the largest unused tract of land in the District. These 174 acres can now be transformed into a vibrant hub of housing, world-class recreational facilities, green spaces, and economic opportunities for District residents and visitors alike.
Can We Really Do It All - Block DCan we really do it all?Yes! With more than 174 acres and with access to public transportation, we can have restaurants, housing, a sports complex, parks, and a stadium all on one campus.  |
Our RFK - Block A    |
Our History - Block BThe RFK campus is a field of opportunities. Our vision is to work with the Commanders to jumpstart the development of the site. Bringing in this type of partner, sometimes referred to as an anchor tenant, is often a key part of what makes a development project work. The anchor attracts visitors, other businesses, new economic activity, jobs, and investment toward community-serving amenities that make the area vibrant, active, and diverse. Nationals Park in Navy Yard is an example of a project that kickstarted the development of thousands of new housing units and brought new restaurants, jobs, and more to the waterfront neighborhood. Energy brings more energy!  Under the old lease, the RFK campus could only be used for stadium purposes and providing recreational facilities, open space, and parking. This restriction prevented other mixed-use development, like retail and housing. In 2019, the District opened the Fields at RFK, allowing a small portion of the 174 acres to be put to use for the community. Unfortunately, most of the campus has remained a sea of crumbling asphalt. Control of the land has now been transferred to the District, and restrictions of use under the old lease have been removed. This means the land can be developed into a mix of uses – housing, retail, and more. No decisions have been made about what will be built on the RFK campus. DC is beginning a process of community engagement, feedback, and conversations to help guide RFK’s future. |
The Campus - Block C The Campus The District, after the transfer, may develop and use, and permit the development and use of, the campus for the following purposes:
*Riparian areas are lands that occur along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other water bodies. The above map includes a 32-acre riparian that would serve as a buffer to the Anacostia River. On January 6, 2025, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act (H.R. 4984) was signed into law. The legislation transferred administrative jurisdiction over the RFK Stadium campus from the federal government to the District of Columbia for a lease term not less than 99 years. Immediate next steps include demolition of the RFK Stadium, as well as engagement with the community on the future uses of the campus. Structural demolition is anticipated to commence in late January. Regardless of what happens with the planning for the RFK Campus, DC will be investing to upgrade and improve the infrastructure at the site. Get more information here about the RFK demolition. Three years ago, Mayor Bowser announced funding to build a new sports complex on the RFK campus. The goal is to create more sports and recreation opportunities for youth and adults in DC and to make DC a destination for training and tournaments. Since opening in 2019, the Fields at RFK and the accompanying playgrounds have become a popular neighborhood amenity. The federal land transfer reserves 30% of the RFK campus for parks and open space to serve the community. We want to hear from you – what would like to see on the 30% of the campus that is reserved for parks and open space? Share your ideas for RFK’s open space here. |