Smoot Construction Company of Washington DC has been selected as part of the joint venture that will lead construction of the Washington Commanders’ new $3.8 billion stadium.
The Commanders announced on August 11, 2026, that SmootDC will work alongside Clark Construction Group and Mortenson as Clark | Mortenson | SmootDC (CMS) at the former RFK Stadium site.
Plans call for an approximately 1.8-million-square-foot enclosed stadium with about 65,000 seats. The venue will anchor a broader 180-acre campus along the Anacostia River.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027, with completion targeted for spring 2030.
A Family Construction Legacy Expands to Washington
SmootDC grew from the Smoot family of builders, whose roots extend to the 1940s, when Mark S. Cain’s grandfather, Sherman R. Smoot, established the family construction business.
The family’s work eventually expanded into Washington. SmootDC traces the beginning of its operations in the region to 1968, when Sherman Smoot’s crews performed masonry work in the District.
Current company materials separately identify its first National Capital Region project as a masonry subcontracting assignment in 1967.
The Washington operation evolved into Smoot Construction Company of Washington DC, which today provides construction management, general contracting and design-build services.
“Since my grandfather’s crews started laying brick and block in the District of Columbia region in 1968, SmootDC has evolved from a small masonry subcontractor to one of the nation’s largest minority-owned contractors,” Cain, SmootDC’s President and CEO, said when the company announced an expansion of its operations in 2022.
Building Across Washington
Over nearly six decades, SmootDC has worked on some of Washington’s most prominent institutional, cultural and sports projects.
Its portfolio includes work involving the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the U.S. Capitol Dome, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and the National Air and Space Museum.
The company’s completed sports projects include Capital One Arena, Nationals Park and CareFirst Arena.
SmootDC also has a direct connection to the site of the new Commanders stadium. The company is serving as the D.C.-based general contractor for the demolition of RFK Stadium, an approximately $25 million project.
The assignment places SmootDC on both sides of the transformation of the RFK site: helping clear the former stadium and participating in construction of its successor.
SmootDC’s Role in the CMS Team
Together, Clark, Mortenson and SmootDC bring experience delivering major sports and entertainment facilities in Washington and across the country.
The Commanders said the team’s experience, presence in the region and record of working with small and local businesses contributed to its selection.
“After almost 60 years of being your hometown builder, our pride and excitement in the new Commanders Stadium is beyond measure,” Cain said following the announcement.
Cain also pointed to the opportunities for minority and small businesses and D.C. residents.
“We thank the Commanders and DC for entrusting us with another monumental project as we continue our legacy of making a positive impact on the neighborhoods in which we work, on minority and small businesses that we work with, and on residents that work with us,” he said.
Opportunities for Local Contractors
Those opportunities are beginning to take shape before full stadium construction gets underway.
On September 9, CMS will host First & Goal: New Commanders Stadium Construction Kick-off & Resource Expo in Washington.
The event is designed to connect Certified Business Enterprises, small businesses, minority contractors, vendors and suppliers with information about upcoming work associated with the stadium.
Participants will be able to learn about the CMS procurement process, trade-partner criteria and anticipated bidding timelines, along with requirements related to CBE certification and apprenticeships.
The Commanders have identified CBE participation and employment opportunities for D.C. residents as priorities for the stadium and broader site development.
The stadium will anchor a broader redevelopment of the RFK campus that is expected to include housing, parks and recreation, hotels, restaurants, retail and other neighborhood amenities.
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