WASHINGTON – District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser tried Thursday to appropriate misinformation amplified on-line by Elon Musk about how Congress’ end-of-year spending invoice will affect efforts for a possible new stadium for the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
Incorrect reviews on Musk-owned X have been reposted by Musk claiming that Congress’ spending invoice consists of $3 billion for a brand new soccer stadium. The decision, which has been roundly criticized by Musk and President-Elect Donald Trump, features a provision to transfer control of the land including the husk of old RFK Stadium from the federal authorities to the District for 99 years.
That switch is necessary to pave the way for the Commanders to probably construct a brand new stadium within the franchise’s previous residence, although the staff remains to be contemplating places within the District, Maryland and Virginia.
“It was acknowledged that the CR comprises $3 billion for a stadium,” Bowser stated. “All mistaken. There are not any federal {dollars} associated to the switch of RFK, and in reality the laws doesn’t require or hyperlink in any respect to a stadium. We’re speaking about how the District can spend money on eradicating blight.”
Musk reposted a false report concerning the $3 billion and stated “This shouldn’t be funded by your tax {dollars}!”
Bowser made the feedback whereas celebrating the beginning of an $800 million arena renovation for the NHL’s Capitals and NBA’s Wizards. She stood alongside Monumental Sports activities president and CEO Ted Leonsis, proprietor of each groups, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and others for a wall-breaking ceremony to mark the start of labor on Capital One Area downtown. Retaining these groups in D.C. after a planned move across the Potomac River to Virginia fell aside is taken into account a significant victory for Bowser and town.
“I’ve received to say, what a distinction a 12 months makes,” Ward 2 councilmember Brooke Pinto stated on the unveiling of renderings for what the world in Chinatown ought to seem like when development is full within the fall of 2027. “Ted Leonsis, thanks a lot for believing on this metropolis.”
Leonsis referred to as it a landmark day for the District and his firm. The challenge consists of $515 million in public funding as a part of the settlement for the Capitals and Wizards to remain, with the remainder paid for by Monumental.
“If you see these indicators, ‘Please excuse our mud,’ there’s going to be loads of mud right here,” Leonsis stated. “This challenge is huge. It’ll most likely take three seasons to do it, and it’s $800 million. It’s a important, important program. However after you see what we’re going to do for the gamers, the followers and town, it’ll be well worth the wait.”
The Commanders have been in search of a brand new stadium website for a number of years, together with because the summer time of 2023, when a bunch led by Josh Harris bought the team from former proprietor Dan Snyder for a North American skilled sports activities report $6.05 billion. Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill earlier this month on the RFK Stadium land provision, and its involvement within the spending invoice regarded like a significant victory for the staff and league.
Bowser stated she didn’t see one other path ahead for the laws this session if it’s not a part of the invoice, a bipartisan negotiation to keep away from a authorities shutdown and supply billions of {dollars} in catastrophe aid, amongst different issues.
“We’ve finished all we’re purported to do, and that is the automobile that has been recognized — and agreed to by Democrats and Republicans,” Bowser stated. “Have you ever been to RFK? Anyone? (It’s) 177 acres surrounded by asphalt and a stadium that hasn’t been utilized in 10 years that may be a blight on the nation’s capital. Now, I agree with the president-elect on this level: We need to make our nation’s capital probably the most stunning capital on the planet, so now we have to maneuver and free RFK.”
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