Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

 

TO:                 Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

              

FROM:          Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                               

DATE:            January 30, 2025

 

 

            This memorandum is to request that the following measures be placed on the agenda for the February 4, 2025 legislative meeting:

 

• Transfer of Jurisdiction Over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025
• Transfer of Jurisdiction Over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Emergency Approval Resolution of 2025    

 

These measures, at the request of the Mayor, would approve the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus from the United States of America, acting by and though the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Capital Area (NPS) to the District of Columbia.  The campus is approximately 7,690,726 square feet (175.6 acres) comprising a portion of Reservation 343-F in Ward 7. 

 

Public Law 118-274, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act, was signed into law by President Biden on January 6, 2025.  That law requires the NPS to transfer jurisdiction of the RFK Campus to the District for a period of at least 99 years and directs that the transfer of jurisdiction occur within 180 days after the date of enactment of that law.  Under that law, the Mayor negotiated with the National Park Service to execute a Declaration of Covenants regarding the Transfer of Jurisdiction of the campus and signed the agreement on January 14, 2025.  The transfer is not subject to review by the National Capital Planning Commission.  However Congressional and local law contemplate Council approval of any transfers of administrative jurisdiction.  Upon approval by the Council, the plat and covenant will be recorded by the Recorder of Deeds, effectuating the transfer of jurisdiction.

 

This transfer of administrative jurisdiction is only an early step to enable development of the RFK Campus.  Council approval will still be necessary for any future development plans to be executed by the Executive, including surplus and disposition of the site to any other party through one or more development agreements.  Any development will also be subject to applicable zoning regulations.

 

Draft