- May 01, 2026
- By Maggie Haslam
A proposal for a dynamic entertainment corridor adjacent to the future home of the Washington Commanders earned six graduate students from the University of Maryland’s Real Estate Development Program first place in the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) DC l MD 2026 Capital Challenge.
The win marks the fourth time Maryland has taken the $10,000 top prize in the intercollegiate real estate competition for the Washington, D.C. area.
Under the leadership of Lecturer Ron McDonald, master’s students Paul Abonjuah, Shekinah D’Brass, Sai Jillellamudi, Joshua Kim, Victor Ojo and David Ragland went head-to-head with teams from Georgetown University and George Mason University.
“I am so proud of the students and the work they presented to earn this win,” said Tanya Bansal, director of UMD’s Real Estate Development Program. “It's one thing to have really exceptional students, but another to see them come together as a team and really believe in each other. It was extraordinary to see.”
UMD’s project in the case-study competition reimagined a 23.9-acre property adjacent to the former site of RFK Stadium. Capitalizing on the region’s demand for housing and the hospitality needs to support game spectators and tourism, the team crafted a high-density, mixed-use development anchored by a destination entertainment/hotel district and including over 1,700 residential units and focused retail that fosters a sense of community and place.
McDonald stressed the importance of activating the space year-round, not just on game days, said Abonjuah, urging them to pursue unique partnerships, like Netflix House, and creative placemaking initiatives to set their project apart. The Commanders “Walk of Fame,” a public exhibit conceived by D’Brass, wowed Commanders judges as a vehicle for activating the space between the neighborhood and stadium campus.
“I didn’t foresee how much hard work we would have to put into it,” said D’Brass. “We were not only learning the process and the industry, but about working as a team. It was such a great experience.”
UMD alums and consultants from KGD Architecture, AMT Engineers, DPR Construction, Trammell Crow Co. and Founders Bank provided expertise and mentorship for Maryland’s team.