“The whole dynamic is pretty toxic,” declared one of nearly a dozen DC political and government insiders who agreed to speak with me for this article. Their names were withheld so that they could speak candidly about behind-the-scenes maneuvers and machinations by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council, including Chair Phil Mendelson, surrounding construction of a multibillion-dollar sports and entertainment complex on the current RFK Stadium site in Ward 7.
In late April, flanked by Washington Commanders owner and managing partner Josh Harris and National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bowser announced a nearly $4 billion deal that would include construction of a new, roofed, state-of-the-art stadium, facilitating the return of Washington’s long-lost football team while igniting one of the largest development projects in the District’s recent history. Several councilmembers were seated in the audience at that announcement; quite notably, neither they nor Mendelson had been called to share the limelight that day, although the legislature stood between Bowser, Harris, Goodell and the fulfillment of their dreams.
“That annoyed Mendelson,” said the insider.
Since that fateful day, there has been much acrimony, mostly between Bowser and Mendelson, who dislike — or downright hate — each other, according to people with whom I spoke. She has indirectly accused him of slowing the city’s economic growth groove by refusing to move expeditiously so an initial vote on the Commanders deal can occur by July 15.
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