Tag Archives: news

September 12, 2025 · 11:18 am

Ward Six FreeDC Pushes for Community Involvement

Ward 6 Free DC organizers and Ward 6 co-leaders Anjali and Allegra

Ward Six FreeDC Pushes for Community Involvement

by Larry Janezich

Tuesday night some 200 residents turned out for the Ward 6 FreeDC September meeting in Reformation Lutheran Church a block from the Capitol Grounds on East Capitol Street.  The purpose of the meeting was to update current and prospective FreeDC members on DC home rule and the occupation of DC by federal law enforcement agents and the National Guard.

The focus of the group has continued to evolve in response to changing circumstances.  Initially their goal was to encourage Congress to restore DC’s authority to spend its own revenue by correcting an oversight which dropped that authority from a law which continued spending for agencies whose appropriation bills had not yet been passed.  Since then, the Mayor found ways to work around most of that lack of authority. 

While that was under discussion, there was a movement in Congress to repeal several DC council-passed laws, including laws on police reform, juvenile justice, and local residents’ voting rights. (Those bills and another 11 bills restricting DC Home Rule passed the House Committee on Oversight and Government on Wednesday afternoon.) 

In addition, administration declared a 30 day emergency and moved to takeover DC MPD.  Separately, federal agents including ICE and the National Guard were deployed to DC’s streets.  The emergency action by which the President took over MPD expired Wednesday night and Congress has no plans to renew that authority.  The deployment of federal law enforcement agents including ICE could continue and the National Guard presence in DC could last at least through November given the administration’s extension of the Guard’s activation through December.  

In response to these many developments, Free DC has expanded and organized several of its efforts around resistance to authoritarianism.  The Congress Working Group has been relentless in personal outreach to lobby members of Congress.  (Their other working groups include accessibility, arts and culture, communications, DC local government, popular education, safety, and tabling.) 

FreeDC is working to reach a critical number of residents who are willing to participate in “non-cooperation,” an idea based on what is known as the “3.5% rule’ in political theory.  Research shows that campaigns which engage at least 3.5% of the population in a sustained, nonviolent protest can be successful.  The figure specifically refers to nonviolent resistance because the theory goes, nonviolent movements are more likely to attract and sustain large-scale participation and support.  For DC, that number is 24,500 residents, or 3,100 per ward. 

FreeDC is providing non-cooperation training sessions.  Attendees must attend a FreeDC Orientation session prior to registering.  See Events on FreeDC at https://freedcproject.org/events

There is a Ward Six Orientation Meeting on Sunday, October 5, at 1:00pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I Street, SW.  Register here:  https://bit.ly/3IbChvZ  

Since mid-January, when the group’s email list stood at 3,000, it has grown to more than 30,000 today. Sign up for the email list here https://freedcproject.org/  to learn more about upcoming events, actions, and ways to get involved.  (The email list does not necessarily reflect the number of those engaging in non-cooperation.) 

The presentation included emphasis of FreeDC’s Tenets:  Prioritize joy, take up space, i.e., be seen and heard, and organize.

Free DC’s Code of Conduct includes:  Respect everyone, refrain from hate speech, provide constructive feedback, and encourage participation. 

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August 19, 2025 · 7:45 pm

The Response:  Local Opposition to The Occupation – Now Including National Guards from 6 States

Sunday, August 17, 11:30am on H Street, NE. Of all the federal law enforcement agents deployed on DC streets, the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) – which falls under the Department of Homeland Security – have garnered the most negative attention.  Masked ICE agents have executed aggressive enforcement actions and conducted many arrests.  Video credit: Nicky Sundt

The Response:  Local Opposition to The Occupation – Now Including National Guards from 6 States

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 19, 2025

Many readers of Capitol Hill Corner will be wondering how and where to invest their time and resources to respond to the Occupation of DC ordered by the Trump Administration.

This post, which will be updated, serves as a guide to local groups organizing on-the-ground actions designed to make visible and more effective the opposition of DC residents to the Trump Administration’s violation of DC Home Rule. 

Background

On August 11, the Trump Administration invoked a statutory emergency power and announced a takeover of the MPD in the District.  To augment this assertion of authority, the Administration deployed the DC National Guard as well as federal law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Included in that deployment was the Department of Homeland Security, under which falls the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.  Since the August 11 order, six other states have responded to DOD request to send National Guard personnel to DC, including Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee, totaling more than 1000 troops. 

The Response

FreeDC has become the leading organization which is taking direct action to oppose the federalization of law enforcement and the deployment of National Guard to DC.

Free DC is a fiscally sponsored special project of Community Change, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and Community Change Action, a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization.

The organization has teams operating in all 8 Wards and has a long history of advocacy for DC Statehood and in 2023 organized a campaign in response to Congress’s overturning the DC Revised Criminal Code Act. In 2025 it organized the response to the House of Representative’s refusal to routinely authorize the city to spend $1 billion of its own revenue for city services during the remainder of the current fiscal year. 

Here are some of FreeDC’s recommendations about what to do to oppose the Occupation:

  • Organize:  Sign up with FreeDC. Visit FreeDC’s website for a calendar of events, a link to merch, and news.  Join specific campaigns and get involved.   https://freedcproject.org/    
  • Participate in FreeDC’s orientation presentations.  Get training.  Get educated.  Know your rights. 
  • Join the effort to lobby members of Congress in person, by email, or by phone.
  • Make FreeDC visible everywhere:  Make signs and posters – wear t shirts and buttons.  See FreeDC Official Merch here:  https://bit.ly/41b8LwO
  • Stay informed. Join the FreeDC communication network.
  • Urge residents and elected officials:  “Don’t obey in advance.”
  • Currently, FreeDC has no direct action planned.

Ward 6 Democrats have also launched several activities to respond to the gross violation of DC home rule, including:

  • Distributing info from the ACLU-DC, FreeDC, and the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network.
  • Urging residents to follow FreeDC’s suggested actions, including talking with your friends and family outside of DC and encouraging them to call their elected officials opposing the administration’s current efforts to take over law enforcement in the District.
  • Join the Monthly Statehood Committee Call on Wednesday, August 20.  The Statehood Committee will share the latest on what’s happening in our community, discuss what we can do and work on a plan for what to do next.
  • Time: 6:30 – 7:30pm

Location: Virtual, Zoom link provided upon registration

RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/dcdems/event/829386/   

  • Join Ward 6 Democrats, which is free to any registered Democrat living in Ward 6. The organization does suggest a one-time donation of $51 or a monthly donation of $6. Go here:  https://www.ward6dems.org/

Resources to help keep you informed:

Some other organizations which have participated in public debates and/or offered support and advice include:

  • Defending Democracy/Capitol Hill Village
  • Neighbors United for DC Statehood
  • Ward Six Serve Your City Mutual Aid
  • ACLU-DC
  • DC Vote
  • Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network
  • Black Swan Academy
  • Vera Action 
  • Georgetown Juvenile Justice Clinic
  • DC Justice Lab 
  • Alliance for Concerned Men 

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August 4, 2025 · 1:40 am

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

The Week Ahead…& Some Photos from the Past Week

By Larry Janezich

Posted August 3, 2025

The Mediterranean bakery House of Flatbreads (HOF) is coming to 1116 8th Street, across from the Capital Turnaround, formerly called The Blue Castle.  HOF is a carryout which features flatbreads from traditional savory such as the Labne Flatbread – see below. 

HOF has a sister carryout in Arlington.  Their website is under construction but you can get an idea of their offerings on FB https://bit.ly/4msHoq8 and Instagram https://bit.ly/4l6iDib   It’s not certain when they plan to open. 

Another one of Garfield Park’s century-old white swamp oaks has fallen. A large branch came down in the storm Friday night, July 25.  The tennis court fence was damaged as well a picnic table by the volleyball court. An arborist crew took the rest of the tree down on Monday.  Photo and text: Jan Schoonmaker.

Here’s another image of the ongoing renovation of SE Library, this one is of the berm skylight on the South Carolina Avenue side of the building which will light the children’s area on the lower level.  Photo:  DC Library

And here’s an image of construction workers who appear to be working on the skylight which will – by means of a central light well – illuminate all three floors of the library. 

The Week Ahead…

None of the political, community, or civic organizations regularly covered by Capitol Hill Corner is meeting this week. 

One item of interest for the coming week:

Saturday, August 9

NE Library Book Sale Saturday-The Friends of the Southeast Library (FOSEL) together with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL) will hold a joint book sale this Saturday, July 9.  The sale will be at the Northeast Library at 7th & Maryland Avenues NE.

The sale begins when the library opens at 10:00 am. We begin to pack up around 2:45 pm and are done by 3:00 pm. The sale is on the lower level of the library. Entrance to the sale is through the library (and down the stairs or elevator).

In general, we have mostly used books of all types, including children’s books, fiction, best sellers, non-fiction, cookbooks mysteries, science, science fiction, romance, religion, history, biography, self-help, classics, travel, etc.

Proceeds benefit local libraries, especially the Southeast Library, the Northeast Library, and the DC Library.

Got the ability to recirculate this message on other lists? That would be much appreciated.

Questions? bob@bobgellman.com

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June 18, 2025 · 10:51 pm

Update on Development of Res 13 Phase II

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 18, 2025

Hill East Development Disposition Map showing location of parcels to be developed.

Wednesday night, Daryl Thomas from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development (DMPED), gave an update on the development of Res 13 Phase II to ANC7D’s Committee on Economic Development and to Hill East residents. 

Despite rumors to the contrary, Thomas assured that Res 13 Phase II “definitely is not stalled – we have been very much into a lot of infrastructure work on the campus.  This work consists of engineering in addition to relocation of a major 72 inch sewer line.”  The pipeline lies 40 to 50 feet below ground and extends from Massachusetts Avenue to Independence Avenue.  He added, “… this sewer line is a precursor for all the remaining work that needs to be done.  We have started the roadway design review.  Once the sewer relocation work is done then the city can come in and we can start constructing the roadways that surround the development parcels …”  Thomas said he expected the pipeline relocation to take a year. 

In 2000 the city released RFPs for the Phase II redevelopment of Res 13.  Phase II was divided into two different bundles, Bundle One (Parcels A, B-1, B-2, F-2 and G-2 – see map above), and Bundle Two (Parcels C, E. and H).  Some  parcels in Bundle One have been approved by the Zoning Commission and building design is underway.  Bundle Two ran into infrastructure issues including the sewage pipeline and utility relocation, and that has forced them to redesign their first phase of building which has prevented them from going to Zoning for approval.

Developers hoped to break ground in 2024 but infrastructure and finance issues pushed that date ahead to 2025.  Last night’s presentation suggested there may be another delay – at least in Bundle Two – until 2026 or later.  Phase III (in yellow) is a planned third phase of the development which has not launched yet.

Thomas did not offer a projected timeline for completion of development on any of the parcels.  None of the developers participated in the briefing. 

Thomas also offered a status report on the status of Phase I, where two mixed use buildings have been completed.  He reported that Sala Thai Restaurant, Duffy’s Irish Pub, and Alphabet Daycare have leased retail space in the Park Kennedy, one of the two Phase I mixed use buildings.  One retail space remains.  He said that none of the retail spaces has yet been leased in Phase I’s second mixed use building – The Ethel. 

During the Q&A, Thomas was asked if development would be coordinated with construction of the proposed NFL Stadium on the RFK site and with construction of a new DC city jail.  He noted that neither of those projects has been approved yet and once they are, DMPED would be working “hand in hand” with the developers of those projects. 

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June 10, 2025 · 12:18 pm

Editorial:  My Verdict on the Stadium Deal

by Larry Janezich

Posted:  June 10, 2025

RFK Stadium. Photo: DC Events

Editorial:  My Verdict on the Stadium Deal

Development of the RFK Stadium site is like building a small city:  a vast, waterfront parcel in the heart of the capital. 

Contrary to Mayor Bowser’s public assertions, the legislation transferring ownership of the site to DC does not require the construction of a stadium.

Then why build one?

Some people will always be against a stadium.  Citing the missed chance to redevelop this parcel as mixed-use development, Greater Greater Washington calculates an “opportunity cost” totaling $3.3 billion over the course of the next 30 years.  Other opponents regard the NFL as an abomination, or maybe an enormous NFL stadium which stands empty and idle most of the year as a bad investment of taxpayer dollars.

Likewise, some people will always support a stadium on this site, particularly one that returns the Washington Commanders to DC.  Presumably Mayor Bowser numbers among this group, given the remarkably poor deal she negotiated with the Commanders.

Setting aside these two ends of a spectrum, I’d guess that most people fall somewhere in between.  This editorial is directed to them, particularly to Capitol Hill/Hill East residents. 

A Stadium, But Not on These Terms

It is not surprising to learn that the city will be on the hook for the “horizontal” costs, or the necessary infrastructure improvements, entailed in stadium construction.

But the term sheet presented by Mayor Bowser also includes a taxpayer subsidy for “vertical” costs:  stadium construction ($500 million) and parking garages ($356 million).  Somewhat lost in the outcry over this direct subsidy to billionaires are the indirect costs of the deal, including the property tax that the city will waive for the developers; the sales tax that will be collected but won’t go to the District; and the interest payments on bonds that the city will need to carry to complete this project.

Rather than defend the terms of a poorly negotiated deal, Mayor Bowser has done her best to ramrod it through the Council as currently written.  According to the term sheet, an “exclusive negotiation period” between the District and Commanders will expire by July 15 – or it will expire if the Council makes any significant changes to the term sheet.  According to Greater Greater Washington, Council chair Phil Mendelson “is signaling” that he will let the deadline pass so the Council could review the deal properly and insist on better terms.  After all, to consider the baseball field, the Council had 11 months; the Council discussed the deal on Audi Field for 7 months. 

DC has suffered enough of high-handed treatment of late.  It’s a shame that, in this, her legacy-making move, Mayor Bowser has decided to treat the Council with such contempt.  As it currently stands, given that the Mayor has tied the stadium deal to the budget, the Council cannot even hold a hearing focused only on the RFK stadium deal.

A Stadium, But Not at This Time

Regardless of the fate of the national economy, DC is now headed for a localized recession, owing to the devastating employment effects of the Trump Administration’s cuts to the federal government.

Recently, in the wake of these cuts, Moody’s downgraded DC’s bond-rating, meaning that a stadium constructed under the Trump administration will cost more than one built under an administration run by Kamala Harris. 

More important, even if Congress passes DC’s Local Budget restoring the city’s money, the city still faces an enormous budget shortfall – meaning, there will be steep cuts to city government. 

In her just-released budget, Mayor Bowser has shifted some payments to next fiscal year and declared a hiring freeze in an attempt to blunt the effects of this shortfall.  But already a new DC jail is gone from the budget. Notably, the Council has shunted aside the Mayor’s economic forecast for the stadium and commissioned their own.  

Amid turmoil and retrenchment, it is difficult to say what this stadium will “cost” the city in terms of what is defunded as a result of its construction. 

A Stadium, But One That Works for the Neighborhood

Economic research demonstrates that stadiums do not generate “new” growth or revenue.  In the best-case scenario, they just focus growth on a certain location. 

Stadiums might be worthwhile if they are used to kickstart the revitalization of a particular neighborhood, but, even then, there exists a very real danger of overreach.  An astonishing number of empty storefronts currently surround Capital One Arena, a more active stadium located in a much more commercial neighborhood.  Public officials assured us that the keeping the Leonsis’ teams and a promised stadium renovation would bring tenants back; so far, that hasn’t happened.

By and large, Hill East is not a neighborhood in need of revitalization.  The kinds of things that Hill East might need or want would be best served by a mixed-use development, not a stadium. 

In light of just what little purpose a stadium can serve, the hulking parking garages planned under the current term sheet are an affront to the neighborhood.  No stadium in the heart of a city built in the 21st century should be based on automobile traffic.  In this and in other respects – particularly in regard to the environment – the Mayor has declined to seize this opportunity to construct a stadium of the future. 

Instead, she wants to build a 20th century stadium while the city strains under the weight of a 19th century presidency. 

My Verdict on the Stadium Deal

In more stable times, the case for stadium construction would be stronger, particularly given the fact that the city has slow-walked Phase II of the Reservation 13 development, effectively tying its fate to RFK. 

At this time, facing the Trump administration, a strong case could be made for RFK redevelopment without a stadium, which would create new housing and neighborhood resources, generating growth and revenue. 

In more stable times, the case for a stadium would be stronger if it were a 21st century stadium that better harmonized with the surrounding neighborhood.

But it is bad luck for the Commanders ownership that their bid for a new stadium coincides with a crisis moment in DC history, the likes of which I have not seen since the 1980s. 

The only way to make the case for an NFL stadium at RFK at this particular moment is if the public subsidy for vertical construction is reduced to $0; the DC Local Budget Autonomy Act passes Congress and is signed by the President before the DC City Council votes on the stadium deal; and the stadium development makes better use of public transportation and green technology.

Maybe the DC City Council will move the dial on the public subsidy and a more imaginative development, both of which are under their control.  But the Commanders’ owners, who profess to love DC, would do well to pledge the necessary resources to move Republicans in Congress to respect our city a little more. 

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June 9, 2025 · 12:58 pm

East Capitol Weed Shop Proposal Runs Aground on City Regs

East Capitol Weed Shop Proposal Runs Aground on City Regs

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 9, 2025

East Capitol Weed Shop Proposal Runs Aground on City Regs

by Larry Janezich

Posted June 9, 2025

Well, this didn’t take long.  After receiving more than 50 emails since yesterday, this morning CM Charles Allen updated constituents on the proposed weed shop on East Capitol.  The update came, he said, after a conversation with Fred Moosally, the head of DC’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA). 

The bottom line is that ABCA confirmed:

  • “There has been no cannabis retailer application filed for this address. Any sales taking place would be illegal and ABCA will have investigators looking into this.
  • The signage (in particular, the cartoon marijuana leaf with a rolled joint) is not allowed with our laws for cannabis retailer advertising.  ABCA will be following up on that.
  • Even if there was a license application and the signs were lawful, this location and property is zoned residential, so DC law does not allow a cannabis retailer here anyway. They will not be allowed to open as a legal and lawful business. And if they try to operate as an illegal business, ABCA has the tools necessary to close them down and even padlock the doors.”

Allen also said that ABCA has not approved the request to renew the retail liquor license and the Board will be apprised of the issue and the findings of the ABCA investigation before considering the renewal.  He credited ANC6B Commissioner, Jerry Sroufe, for being active on this and for pushing ABCA to recognize the potential change in this store from their previous presentation and commitments to the ANC.

Allen added, “What we’ve seen is a clear departure from what this business proposed to the ANC, ABCA, and to the community.  It’s bad faith and I will work to make sure that ABCA and the Executive agencies follow through on their commitments to us.”

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May 23, 2025 · 2:12 pm

Photo Essay:  The Mayor’s Hill East Town Hall on the RFK Development

Photo Essay:  The Mayor’s Hill East Town Hall on the RFK Development

by Larry Janezich

Posted May 23, 2025

Here’s a conceptual rendering of what the proposed new stadium for the Washington Commanders would look like. 

Thursday night, Mayor Bowser brought a Town Hall Meeting on development of the RFK Site to the communities most affected by it – Ward 7’s Hill East and Kingman Park.  Some 350 residents turned out for the meeting near the stadium in the gymnasium of St. Coletta’s School.

A panel comprised of Mayor Bowser, Ward 7 CM Wendell Felder, CM At-Large Kenyan McDuffie and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development Nina Albert made presentations and took questions. The Mayor supported the current plan for a $3.7 billion development of the 65,000 seat covered stadium and the beginning of a new neighborhood on the Anacostia River.  She told the attendees that the 174 acre site could hold four Wharfs.  The Commanders will contribute $2.7 billion to the project for vertical construction and the DC government will pay $1 billion for infrastructure and parking. 

ANC7D08 Chair Brian Alcorn (far left), whose ANC encompasses the RFK site, commented after the meeting: “I’m pleased that Councilmember Felder is appropriately focused on ensuring development at the RFK site would be consistent with the community’s wishes as well as having a positive financial impact for neighbors and the District.  I also appreciate Mayor Bowser’s acknowledgement that the project is in the very early stages and community-driven modifications are both possible and expected.  As ANC7D hosts nearly 75% of the overall RFK campus, our Commission and residents look to closely coordinate with officials from the District, the Commanders, WMATA and all other stakeholders to ensure that the results, whatever they may be, support and enhance our many neighborhoods.

ANC7D05 Commissioner Ebony Payne (seated behind Alcorn), whose Single Member District borders the north edge of the RFK Campus commented:  “I am encouraged that we finally have a firm commitment from the Mayor that the Fields at RFK will be maintained – the number one concern I am hearing now from my constituents is about the two massive parking garages planned for Oklahoma Avenue.  This is the main thoroughfare to our community and people want to see a new map that does not burden Kingman Park with the bulk of the heavy traffic. 

Here’s the site plan for dividing the development into six districts.  The Commanders will oversee the development of the Plaza District, the Stadium District, and the Riverfront District, while the city will take charge of development of the Kingman Park District, the Recreational District and the Anacostia Commons.  The city will also fund a $89 million SportsPlex providing indoor track and gymnastic facilities not available in other District recreation centers.

The vision includes 6,000 new homes – 30% affordable housing – for 10,000 new residents. 

The crowd was mostly supportive of the development, but the occasion fell short of exuberant enthusiasm, perhaps over concerns about how the proposed development would change the community.  Questions from the audience reflected worries about parking, traffic, public safety, jobs for community members, funding for education, property taxes, and community benefits. 

There were caps and signs for residents to indicate support the new development – the caps went pretty fast.

Here’s an image reflecting the timeline for the project.  The Mayor is hoping for the City Council approval this summer, groundbreaking for the new stadium in late 2006, and opening of the stadium in the fall of 2030. 

While many in Ward 7 have reservations about the effects of the proposed development, the focus now – in the face of a full court press by the Mayor’s office and public support for a new stadium – seems to by focusing on addressing concerns of the nearby residents and getting the best deal possible for the city.  And despite the aggressive promotion, the Mayor and her supporters have not addressed the well-documented assertions of respected economic analysts that sports stadiums are not economic generators for a city.  The Mayor points to potential some 200 events annually, including 20-30 major events.  Perhaps, but how many Beyoncé or Taylor Swifts are there who can fill a 65,000 seat stadium?   It’s uncertain whether the city will make money from the new stadium – it’s more certain that the developers will. 

How to follow Capitol Hill Corner.  To receive an email when an article is posted on CHC go to the homepage here:  https://capitolhillcorner.org/  On the right hand side of the page there is a column below “Blog Stats.”   Scroll down to the bottom of the Archives and click on the blue tab that says “Follow Capitol Hill Corner.”  You will automatically be notified as soon as anything is posted.  To stop following CHC go to the same blue tab which will now say “Following,” and click it again. 

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May 16, 2025 · 9:59 am

CM Allen Says He Will Work to Change a Bad Stadium Deal

Councilmember Charles Allen at Wednesday nights ANC6C meeting.

CM Allen Says He Will Work to Change a Bad Stadium Deal

by Larry Janezich

Posted:  May 16, 2025

CM Charles Allen told ANC6C Wednesday night in his presentation on the DC budget that the city will spend over a billion dollars to build a new stadium on the RFK campus. 

Allen said, “Right now a majority of the council does not support the proposal…I think actually a good number of my colleagues want to get to a yes but they are not there yet…A majority is absolutely opposed to the deal as is because it’s not a good deal for the city and it’s not a good deal for the taxpayer.”  Allen said that for more than a decade he has been consistent in pointing out that NFL stadiums are not economic generators.  

(More than a half dozen prominent economists and the St. Louis Fed point to data showing that using public funds for new stadiums is a poor investment.)

Allen cited one example out of what he said is many regarding why this is a bad deal.  He said that the proposal as it now stands is that DC would build, fund, own, and maintain parking garages for 8,000 spots.  The two parking garages at Nats Ballpark provide 1250 spaces for a 45,000 seat venue.  For the 65,000 seat stadium, the Commanders want 8,000 spaces.  “That,” Allen said, “would create a wall of parking garages right next to the fields and block off the fields from the community.” 

“I think it’s a really bad idea to build that much parking … also that we all need to foot the bill and on top of that…we get no parking tax revenue so we will own, build, maintain, and operate parking garages and then we get zero revenue from it.”

Allen said that there is no money in the proposal for another Metro to serve the site, and “that makes no sense if we’re going to be building a stadium and provide for 15,000 new people … as we build 6000 homes.”   

ANC6C Commissioner Mark Eckenweiler asked Allen if the proposed deal includes “sweeteners” for the city as is sometimes the case for municipalities providing subsides for sports arenas. 

Allen said that right now there’s no revenue sharing from things like naming rights.  The Commanders are also tax free on things like concessions and sales – not just on the stadium – but entire RFK campus…”and so the commanders will get all of that for a dollar a year and build everything on it…we will not get property tax, we will give up all parking revenue tax and sales tax….If you look at Nats Park the way that that works right now is that the District and the Nationals split 50/50 parking revenue on large scale events that are 5000 or more.  So why would we treat one stadium very differently than the other?”

Allen said it makes no sense that we’re just giving it all away “so that’s what I mean that this is a bad deal.  If it’s going to pass we’ve got to make a lot of changes to it.” 

Allen’s position seems to be that in the event the city council passes the bill, it will need to be a better deal – that being the case, he did not say that even with major changes he could support the bill.

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May 14, 2025 · 5:27 pm

CM Kenyan McDuffie on His Support for a New Stadium at RFK

by Larry Janezich

Posted, May 14, 2025

CM At-Large Kenyan McDuffie at Mr. Henry’s last night.

CM Kenyan McDuffie on His Support for a New Stadium at RFK

by Larry Janezich

Posted, May 14, 2025

Last night, CM At-Large Kenyan McDuffie appeared before a group of Ward Six Democrats upstairs at Mr. Henry’s on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

In remarks, McDuffie expressed frustration on how long it’s taking to produce a budget owing to Congressional inaction to authorize DC to spend its own funds for the current FY.  He also expressed concern over the expected loss of $1 billion in city revenue over the next three FYs because of reductions in the federal workforce. 

Afterward, he made himself available for informal discussions with attendees. 

An audience member questioned McDuffie’s support for Mayor’s proposal to build a new NFL stadium to replace RFK, asking him if he is aware of any empirical evidence that a new stadium would provide new revenue or economic benefit for the city in light of economists’ assessment that there is none.  (Mayor Bowser wants the city council to approve spending $850 million in public funds for infrastructure to support a new stadium with the Washington Commanders covering the cost of building the stadium.)

McDuffie responded, “I guess my evidence that a stadium is good for DC would be what we see at Nats Stadium, what we see at Audi Field, what we see at Capital One Arena.” 

In a follow-up, he was asked, “So, you can point to (those developments) as maybe a catalyst for supporting that sort of investment.  What are you seeing at RFK that indicates that’s a similar situation?”

McDuffie replied, “What I’m seeing at RFK is 180 acres of dormant land that has been sitting idle for decades.  I’m seeing a lot of asphalt that’s collecting dust and it’s in extreme disrepair.   What I saw as a child growing up in the city were areas around SE and the Navy Yard and the Waterfront  that needed investment.  What I saw in the areas around SW was my friends who went to high school with me at Woodrow Wilson were communities that were starving for community service amenities that other parts of the city had.  What we have today (in those areas) that didn’t exist before are events coming out of those facilities that are supporting a lot of businesses around it that are giving job opportunities to residents and for small businesses the opportunity to service what is happening in and those neighborhoods. “

The Ward 6 Democrats website carries a notice inviting neighbors to a Fireside Chat on the Future of RFK:  Monday, June 2, at The Strand Restaurant, 131 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.  The event is sponsored by: The Hill Rag and East of the River Newspapers, The Ward 6 Democrats, and The Ward 7 Democrats. 

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April 9, 2025 · 4:40 pm

CM Allen Says City Faces Tough Economic Choices

CM Charles Allen briefing ANC6B last night on the DC Budget. 

CM Charles Allen on Monday morning in Spirit of Justice Park behind the Longworth House Office Building where FreeDC volunteers gathered before heading inside to lobby Members of Congress.  On Allen’s left are LaJoy Johnson-Law, Ward 8 State Board of Education member and Jacque Patterson, President of the State Board of Education. 

CM Allen Says City Faces Tough Economic Choices

by Larry Janezich

Posted April 9, 2025

Tuesday night, Council Member Charles Allen gave ANC6B a sobering report on the current economic situation facing the city. 

The city is facing two pressure points:  The inability of the US House of Representatives to fix their mistake in forgetting to authorize DC to spend $1 billion of its own to fund its operational budget for personnel and city services.  (If DC just went ahead and spent the money which has not been authorized it would be breaking the law.)  Second, the projected $1 billion shortfall in revenues over the next three years resulting from the thousands of residents who have lost their federal jobs and the economic fallout therefrom as the result of the administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.   

With respect to the first pressure point, Allen says he does not foresee the House acting to fix their mistake before it leaves for a two week recess at the close of business on Thursday.  Cuts in personnel and services will not start immediately but the undetermined date is fast approaching when the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will inform the Mayor that she has to start making cuts.  The Mayor will have to submit a Supplemental Budget to the city council recommending those cuts.  Allen says, “To cut $1 billion from a $17 billion budget will be devastating…it will mean furloughs, personnel cuts, cuts in city operations and bus and Metro service.”  The police and fire departments will suffer hiring freezes – first responders could be furloughed.  Public and charter schools will be subject to staff and operational cuts – an extreme example is that the school week could be cut to 3 or four days. 

On Monday, Allen was part of the local advocacy group FreeDC’s call to action to lobby members of the House to pass the Senate-passed bill to fix the spending glitch which has been held for some three weeks at the Speaker’s desk.  This means under House Rules, it will take a two-thirds vote of the House (288) to take it up for consideration, and a simple majority of the House to pass it.  Though the bill has the support of the President and – reportedly – the chair of the House Appropriations Committee – it appears to be stalled by members of the Freedom Caucus.  Some speculate that some House members want to place conditions on DC as part of an agreement to move the bill forward. 

Allen’s team visited five Congressional offices.  He said the Republican offices were polite but he did not detect a sense of urgency.  He said he got a “warmer response from Democratic offices, but none of them felt like their hair was on fire about how this was a crushing and urgent problem”.   By the end of the day, FreeDC volunteers had visited 283 members’ offices. 

Regarding the second pressure point, Allen noted that the FY 2026 Budget process – which should have launched at the beginning of April – has not, because the Mayor is waiting on a resolution regarding  the $1 billion being held up in the House which otherwise will have to be taken into consideration in the budget for the next fiscal year. 

Assuming that gets resolved and the 2026 FY Budget process moves forward, it will have to take into account the CFO’s projection of $1 billion in lower revenue over the next three years resulting from a reduction in the federal workforce.  That will amount to a cut of around $300 million in each of the next three fiscal years.  Those cuts will come in the face of increasing costs.  Allen said, “We are facing a difficult budgeting…..We will be reducing city services and I don’t like doing that….But if the budget is balanced on the most vulnerable it is not a budget I can support.  There will be a reduction in services and benefits and every part of the city will have to be a part of what this tough moment will realize.”

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