Four location options for the Washington Redskins new stadium

The Washington Redskins are in the early to middle stages of looking for a new stadium, and there are several locations that could be suitable for a new home.

Location, location, location. Realtors will tell any prospective buyer that location is one of the most important factors in purchasing a new home. Many Washington Redskins fans have learned that the team began the process of looking for a new stadium more than a year ago. Building a new home will take time and possibly a lot of taxpayer money, but the Washington Redskins brass is determined to make it happen.

The lease agreement at FedEx Field ends in 2027, and while that may sound like there is more than enough time to build a new stadium, that deadline is much closer than some may think. It will take time to add infrastructure and at least three years to build the new home. Upgrading the transportation to and from the new site will take years to build and that likely includes expanding the metro service. We’ll take a look at four locations that could serve as the new home field for the Washington Redskins.

The first location is the least likely, but it would offer a truly unique setting for a new stadium. Ronald Reagan National Airport (National Airport to the locals) would offer prime real estate and a picturesque location. Located within two interstates and close to the District, the airport would have more than enough room for a stadium, parking, and access to mass transportation. It could also add many amenities such as restaurants, gift shops, a bookstore, boutiques, salons, and even a gas station or two with the added revenue.

More from Riggo's Rag

Despite the potential benefits, it is not likely to happen. The property is government owned and the D.C. politicians use the airport services extensively. While the public is likely to use two other large airports in the region, the government employees enjoy the perks of National Airport. For this reason alone, it is simply not an option. But it’s fun to think about.

The second location is an opportunity to capture the past and live out a nostalgic dream. Returning to RFK Stadium is an option that is enticing to many fans. The D.C. United soccer team currently calls RFK home, but they could move their games to FedEx Field and make that a permanent home. Infrastructure needs are mostly in place and would require very few changes and additions.

Let’s be honest here. That is a nice dream, but the city council has demanded a change in the team name, per the Associated Press, and Dan Snyder has said that it will not happen as long as he is the owner. This stalemate eliminates any possibility of playing within Washington, D.C.

A third location has a very realistic chance of becoming a new home for the Washington Redskins. The Oxon Hill Farm/Oxon Cove Park tract of land is located directly across the Potomac River from Alexandria, Virginia. The National Harbor is located beside this land and that allows direct ferry service to and from Georgetown, Mount Vernon, VA, and Alexandria. The infrastructure is largely in place and three interstates (I-95, I-295, I-495) intersect at the southern edge of the property.

The Oxon Hill property could be the most desirable home for a new stadium if talks fail to produce a solution at our number one location. One other item of note: This location is very near the Reagan National Airport – the least likely of our options listed.

The fourth location is generally considered to be the preferred solution and is thought to be the leading candidate overall. According to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post, the Redskins have been meeting with Virginia politicians and officials for nearly two years and the plan is to fund the new stadium with zero taxpayer dollars.

The prime location is near and/or around Dulles International Airport – an area that is more than 27 miles due west of Washington. It is an area that is growing considerably and is expected to expand even more in the coming decades. The team name would remain intact and infrastructure needs could be easily met. Metro service to Dulles is expected to be completed within a few years.

According to Rick Snider of the Washington Post, the site being considered contains three parcels of land around the airport that total approximately 500 acres. It is located near runway 1L-19R at Dulles International. The Western Lands Area, as it is known, would offer obvious access to the airport and metro service (in the near future). Infrastructure needs would primarily be for roads. The amenities that would be added likely include restaurants, gift shops, local malls, boutiques, gift shops, and information locations for tourists.

Next: Three reasons the Redskins offense will improve in 2018

The decision for a new Washington Redskins stadium location likely comes down to the Oxon Hill and Dulles Airport sites. The most reasonable solution seems to be the Oxon Hill site, but the likely outcome points towards Dulles. We may not know for a year or two, but the timeline for a new Washington Redskins stadium draws ever closer.

Home/Commanders News