Washington, D.C. – National Park Service has granted approval for the demolition of the historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, citing no adverse impact on the environment surrounding the RFK campus. The decision comes after years of neglect, with the stadium remaining unused since 2019.
Events D.C., the organization overseeing the stadium, had already vacated the premises while awaiting the evaluation from NPS on the safety of demolishing a structure on park land. The next steps involve NPS issuing a permit for the D.C. government to proceed with the demolition process, followed by an agreement between both administrations to ensure continued use of the property as required by the 1957 District of Columbia Stadium Act.
Originally established in 1957, the District of Columbia Stadium Act authorized the construction and maintenance of a stadium in D.C. for athletic and other events. Completed in 1961, the stadium was named after Robert F. Kennedy in honor of the late senator. Amendments in 1993 allowed for the expansion of the stadium’s surroundings for parking and potential new construction, placing the responsibility of building, maintaining, and operating a new stadium on the D.C. government.
Recent legislative developments, including the passing of the RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, signal a new era for the site as plans for redevelopment and potentially a new stadium for the Washington Commanders gain traction. Local residents have been engaged in discussions about the future of the 190-acre RFK campus, envisioning possibilities for the space since the stadium’s final home team game with D.C. United in 2017.
The impending demolition of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium marks the end of an era for the iconic sports venue, paving the way for new possibilities in urban development and community engagement. As stakeholders navigate the transition from the historic stadium to a revitalized campus, the legacy of RFK Stadium lives on in the memories and aspirations of Washington, D.C. residents.