The Washington Commanders on Monday named a joint venture of Clark Construction Group, Mortenson and Smoot Construction Company of Washington, D.C. to lead construction of their proposed stadium at the former RFK Stadium site, a move that will reshape a large portion of the city's riverfront and promise significant jobs and economic activity for the District.
Project scale and site
The team said the venue will be an approximately 1.8-million-square-foot enclosed facility with roughly 65,000 seats, located on a campus of about 180 acres. Commanders officials described the stadium as climate-controlled and capable of hosting a wide range of events, with the campus designed to hold more than 200 events annually, including professional sports, concerts, community festivals and other large gatherings.
| Feature | Planned specification |
|---|---|
| Seating capacity | ~65,000 |
| Total building size | 1.8 million sq ft |
| Campus area | 180 acres |
| Events per year (projected) | 200+ |
Local hiring and business participation
City leaders and community advocates have long pressed for direct economic benefits from redevelopment at the RFK site. The Commanders emphasized that the project will prioritize hiring District residents and include participation by Certified Business Enterprises (CBE). Team materials say that approach is intended to ensure that "the tangible economic benefits" of the construction will be felt by Washington-based businesses and residents for years to come.
"the tangible economic benefits from the stadium's construction will be felt by DC-based businesses and residents for decades to come."
The joint venture combines firms with notable experience on major sports venues and local projects. The partners cited prior work on landmarks in the region — including the Nationals' ballpark and Capital One Arena — as well as involvement in recent NFL stadium projects elsewhere. That track record, the team said, supports its capacity to deliver a complex, multiuse site.
Economic and community implications
Commanders ownership has framed the plan as a generational investment and the largest private investment in the city's history. If built as proposed, the development would bring a sustained increase in visitor traffic, event-driven revenue and construction jobs. City agencies and neighborhood organizations will face decisions about transportation, public safety, neighborhood impacts and long-term land use tied to the planned campus.
- Construction will be managed by a joint venture with local and national experience.
- The proposal emphasizes CBE participation and hiring of D.C. residents.
- The site is envisioned as a year-round entertainment and community hub, not just a football stadium.
Details remain to be resolved in the months ahead. The project will require city approvals, permits and coordination with multiple agencies. Community meetings, impact studies and formal planning reviews are expected to flesh out specifics on transportation, housing impacts, mitigation measures and neighborhood benefits.
For many Washington residents, the stadium plan surfaces competing hopes: a promise of jobs and new activity along the Anacostia riverfront, and concerns about traffic, noise and how the development will mesh with existing neighborhoods and priorities for affordable housing and public space. The team's stated commitment to local hiring and CBE engagement will be a key measure residents and local officials watch as the proposal proceeds through regulatory review.
As the project advances, city officials and community groups will have multiple opportunities to influence the shape of the campus and the distribution of its benefits. For now, the selection of Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC marks the start of a high-profile chapter in the long-term redevelopment of the RFK property.
