D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Wednesday announced two days of public hearings to allow residents and lawmakers to scrutinize the proposed $3.7 billion deal to build a new home for the Washington Commanders on the RFK Stadium site.

The hearings, set for July 29 and 30, will likely guarantee that the D.C. Council will not vote on the stadium proposal by the July 15 deadline announced by the team and Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The first day of hearings is reserved for constituents. The second day will feature questions from legislators for the mayor’s office and the Commanders’ leadership.

On Friday, Mr. Mendelson proposed legislation that would separate the stadium legislation from budget negotiations. The change would not remove stadium funding from the budget, he clarified.

“There’s no way on God’s green Earth that we could have voted on [the stadium proposal] by July 15,” Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin told the 51st, a local news site. “Anyone who would have held us to that, it’s not in good faith. This isn’t a thing that happens immediately.”

The Commanders disagree. Team officials said this week that any delay — even a few weeks for a council vote — could jeopardize the planned 2030 opening date. One representative from the team emphasized that the franchise values opening a new stadium quickly over returning to its old home in the District.

“Any substantive delays will jeopardize D.C.’s ability to attract premier concerts, global talent and marquee events — including the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” a Commanders spokesperson said Wednesday. “Most importantly, it will slow new jobs at a time when the District needs them the most.”

Mr. Mendelson and a Commanders representative both acknowledged this week that they expect the stadium deal to be approved this summer.

“The Commanders want their new stadium in five years,” Mr. Mendelson wrote on Friday. “We want to see that, too, and will work within the Commanders’ 2030 timetable.”

The team plans to break ground on the site in 2026 but is hoping for a speedy approval to start applying for permits and planning the construction process.

“We are hopeful the council will continue to work in an expedited way to approve this deal and deliver a significant win for the people of D.C.,” a Commanders spokesperson said.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.