Councilmember Felder to oversee committee on small business development and the RFK stadium project

WASHINGTON — Freshman councilmember Wendell Felder has been tapped to chair a new subcommittee that will oversee key issues, including small local business development and the RFK stadium project’s impact on the community.

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson decided to reassign responsibilities among other committees following the departure of Kenyan McDuffie from one of the At-large positions. McDuffie chaired the Committee on Business and Economic Development. 

McDuffie has entered the crowded mayoral race alongside his former colleague Janeese Lewis George.

Instead of reassigning the Committee on Business and Economic Development, Mendelson said he decided to create a new subcommittee under the Committee of the Whole, which will be chaired by the newly appointed Ward 7 councilmember. 

Felder will be charged with overseeing the development of small local businesses, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the RFK development as a general topic according to Mendelson. The changes were approved Tuesday by the DC Council. 

“We are dealing with a shifting economy with all of the federal government layoffs, small businesses shutting down,” Felder told reporters on Tuesday. He says he will be prioritizing keeping businesses in the District as the city faces a record number of restaurant closures. 

Felder is no stranger to the RFK stadium redevelopment. Not only are the grounds in his ward, but he has also been a staunch supporter of the redevelopment since day one. Felder says it is time for Ward 7 to have an anchor for economic development.

Felder’s subcommittee will not be over the stadium project’s planning, zoning, and permitting, but he will have oversight over the Community Benefits Committee composed of nine members. “Those individuals have an arduous task ahead of making sure that the project is done on time, making sure that they monitor the community benefits agreement. So I have the opportunity to work with those residents, and to your point, making sure the project is delivered,” Felder said. 

Felder’s focus throughout the negotiations with the Commanders focused primarily on the NFL’s community benefits package. As part of the deal, the team has agreed to invest $50 million in community benefits over the next 30 years.

The bulk of the funds will stay in Ward 7, including $20 million for the Commanders Youth Academy and $3 million for a grocery store. 

Another $13 million will be set aside for projects determined by the DC Council as part of the stadium deal.