WASHINGTON — A historic D.C. landmark could be demolished after The National Park Service says the demolition of the old RFK Stadium can move forward. The work to tear down RFK started years ago but on Thursday people who live near the stadium were reminiscing about the good times inside the stadium and sharing their thoughts about the future.
“Every Sunday, we could hear the thump, the roar, we could hear that from miles and miles away,” D.C. native, Michael Childs said.
There was so much chemistry in the history of what now sits empty, and the people who experienced it said it was an amazing feeling to have a chance to experience RFK Stadium.
“Seen the Redskins, DC United play, I’ve seen concerts here, I’ve seen lollapalooza,” said Patrick Serfass, a man who lives in the neighborhood nearby.
Now the word has spread about the green light for demolition of the stadium.
“At that time it was really great to have a football team in the neighborhood, but the neighborhood has changed a lot,” Serfass said.
“We got of course all these things around here, the court, the playground, soccer and baseball stadium, and it’s kind of out of place,” Childs said.
The National Park Service says the demolition of old RFK Stadium can move forward and people we spoke with said they’ve been waiting for this moment.
“I think it needs to be demolished but it needs to be replaced with something that will fit the neighborhood where it is now,” Serfass said.
In 2022, the RFK demolition has significant safety challenges. RFK sits on federal land and the National Park Service said the demolition needed to be studied for potential negative impacts to the environment. According to the contract with the contractor, that includes an extensive “Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Abatement Plan”. This most recent report included no findings of Significant Impact, the Park Service said when it evaluated the potential effects of the demolition.
Now there’s a lingering question about what will be next for the space.
“The Commanders should come back to D.C.,” Childs said.
Some are hoping for a new home for the Commanders, but others have concerns.
“I think it’s exciting because I do want, I love the Commanders, back in the area,” Gaswirth said. “You just hope whatever they wind up doing that there is still adequate facilities for the youth in D.C.”
“But what happens to the space around it?” Serfass asked. “How do you get people in? How do you get people out?”
“It's time for a change,” Childs said. “And change is always good.”
The next step is for the National Park Service to issue a permit to the District, which would allow D.C. to demolish the stadium. There is no exact date on when that will happen. WUSA is still working to find out more and will update you.
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