Mayor Muriel Bowser recently sent a two-page letter to President Donald Trump in order to ask for the federal government to turn over three major infrastructure projects to the District. The Washington Post reported that these properties include the Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Memorial Stadium site, Franklin Square downtown, and three golf courses.
In her letter sent March 29, Bowser wrote that the modernization and redevelopment of these properties has stalled for several months. If control of the sites were transferred to the city, the District is committed to the projects with funding in its 2017 budget, according to The Washington Post.
In 2018, the D.C. United team will relocate to the brand new Buzzard Point soccer stadium, Audi Field. Redevelopment plans for D.C. United’s former site, RFK Stadium, include multi-purpose fields, a market hall, sports and recreation complex, pedestrian bridges, green spaces, and a memorial to Robert F. Kennedy.
For Franklin Square in Downtown, planned improvements include removing some of the existing trees in favor of a redesigned central fountain, pedestrian pathways and a children’s playground, as reported by The Washington Post.
According to Bowser, the park in its current form “has not fulfilled its promise as an urban federal park within the central business district.”
When it comes to the city’s three Park Service-owned golf courses, which include Rock Creek Park, East Potomac Park, and Langston, there are hopes to modernize and upgrade the facilities.
Trump has not yet responded to Bowser’s letter.
• D.C. mayor to Trump: Give us control of our parkland, including RFK [The Washington Post]