Events DC Reveals RFK Stadium-Armory Campus Masterplan Concepts

(Washington, DC) – April 6, 2016 –Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, announced on Monday evening, the details of two conceptual plans for the 190-acre RFK Stadium-Armory Campus site, with design concepts by OMA New York, led by partner Jason Long, in partnership with DC-based program management team, Brailsford & Dunlavey. Located in the Southeast corridor of the District, the transformational vision for the iconic RFK Campus delivers holistic concepts for the site that leverage the District’s waterfront, provide neighborhood serving amenities and connect the current site with increased and sustainable green space, flexible recreational fields and natural access to pedestrian-friendly paths. The conceptual planning effort also envisions phasing the implementation of short-term and long-term program elements for the site.

“After extensive planning, outreach, public input and involvement, the entire Events DC board and staff are so proud to present these two conceptual plans for the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus,” said Max Brown, chairman of the Board of Directors for Events DC. “Our vision for the Campus’ future –which is aligned with community wants and needs - is to create a special and amazing place that celebrates the District of Columbia’s beauty and history – while also acting as a shining example of urban living that can attract residents and visitors, while at the same time, maintain the rich and strong local identity that currently is appreciated and valued by all of us.”

Events DC, in collaboration with OMA New York and Brailsford and Dunlavey, participated in a series of stakeholder and community engagement sessions that focused on capturing input on a new urban vision for the 190-acre Campus surrounding the historic RFK Stadium, Festival Grounds and the DC Armory.  The site benefits from its positioning adjacent to the National Mall axis, prominent neighborhoods and its access to a waterfront gateway along the Anacostia River which has been underutilized for decades.

“The conceptual plans we have unveiled present a once in a lifetime opportunity to reimagine the 190-acre site in a way that delivers an amenity for everyone. It also has the ability to create another vibrant destination within Washington, DC for residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “Our conceptual plans aim to provide accessibility across the Campus’ unique topography and access to nearby waterways while creating dynamic open space.” 

The conceptual plans are represented through two design concepts (a) North-South Axis and (b) Stitch, each illustrating a different configuration or layout of the site.  These design concepts offer two alternative approaches to addressing parking, infrastructure and road network, pedestrian connections, site conditions and program placement. 

Within both the North-South Axis and Stitch design concepts, there are three anchor tenant scenarios: (a) 20k Seat Arena, (b) NFL Stadium, and (c) No Anchor.  All three scenarios reflect a phased approach intended to provide short-term programming elements that will immediately activate the site with uses that will serve the community.  Such short-term program uses, which exist in both the North-South Axis and Stitch design concepts, include sport, recreation, culture and park space.

The long-term opportunities for the North-South Axis and Stitch design concepts offer an extension of all of the program elements delivered in the short-term, plus additional long-term program elements, inclusive of an anchor tenant and the related supporting site and infrastructure enhancements.

Jason Long, OMA New York’s partner-in-charge, commented, “Our goal for both design concepts is to reconnect the Campus to existing neighborhoods to the north and south, to bring the District closer to the Anacostia waterfront and to transform the site from a space designed for watching sports, dominated by asphalt, into a new gateway to DC that elevates public health with diverse recreational programming. Both concepts provide a strategy for revitalizing the Campus’ identity from passive space to active place and transform its urban character from pavement to park.”

Design Concept 1: North-South Axis

Design concepts by OMA New York, led by Partner Jason Long; Renderings: Copyright OMA, Rendering by Robota.

View of esplanade and urban beach in North-South Axis design concept

Design concepts by OMA New York, led by Partner Jason Long; Renderings: Copyright OMA, Rendering by Robota.

Design Concept 2: Stitch

Design concepts by OMA New York, led by Partner Jason Long; Renderings: Copyright OMA, Rendering by Robota.

“Brailsford & Dunlavey is honored to have served Events DC in leading such a talented team of professionals to re-envision the future of the storied RFK Campus.  Events DC made a commitment to a deliberate and thoughtful approach to urban planning, fostering collaboration and inclusiveness with project stakeholders and embracing both internationally acclaimed planning inspiration and a pragmatic focus on technical and economic feasibility,” said Chris Dunlavey, president of Brailsford & Dunlavey. “We look forward to the continued development of this unique opportunity for the District.”

Both design concepts will be evaluated based on feedback received during the citywide meeting that was held on Monday, April 4.  As a next step, Events DC will consolidate and post the comments, questions and answers received during the citywide meeting.  In addition, Events DC, Brailsford & Dunlavey and OMA New York will provide revisions to the concepts as appropriate and perform a financial feasibility analysis for the program elements.  

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, deliver premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit http://www.eventsdc.com or www.RFKCampusFuture.com and find us on social media – Facebook (Events DC), Twitter (@ConventionsDC and @DCSportsEnt) and Instagram (@EventsDC). 

About OMA New York

OMA is a leading international partnership practicing architecture, urbanism, and cultural analysis. OMA's buildings and masterplans around the world insist on intelligent forms while inventing new possibilities for content and everyday use. Since 2001, OMA New York has been responsible for OMA’s operations in the Americas including Milstein Hall at Cornell University (2011), Seattle Central Library, the Prada Epicenter in Los Angeles (both completed 2004), the IIT Campus Center in Chicago (2003), and the Prada Epicenter in New York (2001). Past engagements with urban conditions around the world include a new civic center in Bogota, Colombia ; a post-Hurricane Sandy, urban water strategy for New Jersey; and a food hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The office’s most recent engagement with our nation’s capital include the 11th Street Bridge Park, scheduled to start construction in 2019. OMA New York will celebrate two cultural completions this year including the Faena Forum in Miami and the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion in Quebec City. 

About Brailsford and Dunlavey

Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) (www.programmanagers.com) is a Washington, DC-headquartered national program management firm with comprehensive in-house planning and implementation capabilities, dedicated to serving public agencies, professional sports organizations, educational institutions, corporations, and non-profit clients. B&D is minority-owned and a D.C. certified business enterprise (CBE) company with more than 120 people in 10 offices throughout the U.S.  More than 100 facilities planned or implemented by B&D have earned industry awards, including from the U.S. Department of Education, National School Boards Association, the American Institute of Architects, and the Associated Builders and Contractors.  B&D has worked on more than 1,000 assignments, representing over $30 billion in completed construction, and features a client base in all 50 states.  ADC Management Solutions and Kumi Construction Management are both D.C. certified CBE’s and are integral partners of the program management team.

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