The Washington Commanders will officially return to the American capital and build a new stadium there. The Council of District of Columbia gave the Final Light to this step on Wednesday.
The Council voted 11: 2 for the stadium project on the site of the old RFK Stadium, so that the team will return to the place where it has played its home games for three decades.
But the coordination that was considered a matter of form contained the last minute claims that, according to Mark Clouse, the President of the Commanders, could have jeopardized the agreement.
The Council had already approved the measure on August 1 with 9: 3 votes. After this vote, the Commanders were able to start planning their next steps for the construction of a stadium on the site. On Wednesday before, however, Clouse sent a letter to Council President Phil Mendelson, in which he expressed his concern about new demands made at the last minute – including an amendment, which provided for an annual penalty of $ 10 million if the Commanders were not observing the deadline for the construction of apartments – that threatened the project.
However, this adjustment has now been rejected by the Council.
Video: Harbaugh with a knighthood for Chargers-Star
Commanders owner is pleased
In a letter to Mendelson, the Mayor of DC, Muriel Bowser, also warned the advice of “imposing additional punishments or requirements that could undermine the ability of the district to complete the deal”.
Commanders-Owner Josh Harris, meanwhile, was delighted in a statement about the decision: “Today is a historical day for DC, the Commanders organization and our fans,” said owner Josh Harris in a statement. “With the approval of the Council, we can now advance the transformative RFK project that will bring sustainable economic growth for our city. This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment and cooperation between Mayor Bowser, the chairman Mendelson, the Council and the countless community representatives, economic and union leaders, whose voices and contributions shaped the process of every step of every step.”
Harris continued: “We are deeply grateful for the warm return to the district and the center of the DMV and look forward to officially bringing the team back to their intellectual homeland in 2030.”
The Commanders will pay $ 2.7 billion and for overrun costs to build the stadium planned for 65,000 spectators. The District of Columbia contributes one billion dollars to the project. The new arena is to be opened at the latest in 2030, so that the 2031 women’s football World Cup can take place there.