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The majority of the D.C. Council doesn’t want to see the Height Act changed for a variety of reasons, including to protect the city’s unique skyline. But what if someone in Congress told them that changing the 1910 law could (possibly) bring the precious Washington football team back to the city?
Take it away, Roll Call:
The city’s reluctance to alter the limits imposed more than 100 years ago under the 1910 Height of Buildings Act prevents it from planning the sort of world-class stadium and surrounding developments that could lure the team away from FedExField in Landover, Md., [Rep. Darrell] Issa claims.
“Go to many of the new stadiums that have been built,” the House Oversight and Government Reform chairman said to Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., during a March 12 hearing. “They’re often built with buildings that are part of the plan.”
Attracting the maximum amount of economic activity that can be generated by a pro sports stadium, the logic goes, requires more than just a field and seats.
“We have some economic challenges in wooing the team into the city and building a world class stadium,” Issa continued, adding that his committee would be ready to assist D.C. on the matter.
No, Mr. Issa. Clearly the way to get the team back to D.C. (because that’s something residents want?) is by building a gigantic stadium complex with a golf course, soundstage, indoor waterpark and hotel complex. At least that’s what some members of the Council want to explore.
“It’s no secret that I would love to have the football team back in the city,” Councilmember Jack Evans said at a recent discussion about the bill. “I would love to see a new stadium on the site where RFK currently exists. In discussions with the football people, a smaller stadium than Council member Orange is talking about is more what they have in mind, maybe 75,000 with a retractable roof, and then whatever lies in that area.”
Issa made the comments at a March 12 oversight hearing where a modest change to the Height Act was made. The Republican politician once again told city leaders he hoped the change would be the first of many. He once again proposed finding an area of the city to serve as a “pilot program” to see if Height Act changes could be beneficial.
The football remarks begin at 1:18.