16 center city action agenda 2008• washington,dc places ... · 16 center city action agenda...

16 Center City Action Agenda 2008 • Washington, DC

Places for Focused Investment

• Poplar Point – Gateway to Center City andHistoric Anacostia

• Capitol Riverfront – Along M Street SE• Southwest Waterfront – Between 12th and

4th Streets SW• NoMa – The Intersection of Florida and New York

Avenues• Massachusetts Avenue Landmark – The

I-395 Corridor• Mount Vernon Square – Centerpiece of a New

Destination District• The National Mall – The Heart of Center City

As Center City DC takes action to enhance its posi-tion as one of the most treasured urban centers in thenation, places that are distinctive, recognizable, andmemorable become critical elements in each emergingneighborhood.These places offer the opportunity toexpress the unique identity of an area and the diversityof character so reflective of DC's multi-faceted reality.Great places are well-defined, public, and inviting to all.They provide an anchor where people assemble forevents and meet others, and they provide the marketconfidence for both developers and buyers/tenantsthat a real neighborhood is in the making.

The areas around the traditional downtown where theexpansion is occurring are the most likely to lack theessential character-defining attractions and standardamenities. For example, both NoMa and Mount VernonTriangle lack both neighborhood parks, and recreationfacilities, standard amenities that contribute to ahealthy life and make high-density living appealing.Canal Park is a great model for a new neighborhoodpark as is or the Banneker overlook where there is anadmirable vision for a landmark place that is not yetrealized.There are also key Center City Gateways,such as South Capitol Street and New York Avenuethat have the potential to contribute to the creation ofgreat places but have lost their architectural and land-scape features through neglect and roadway changesover the decades.

The parts of Center City where growth is starting tooccur are the locations that have the best prospectsof continuing the District's competitiveness, ensuring agreat place to live and a dynamic economic future.These are the places where we need to ensure thatthe real estate market continues to attract jobproviders, that the market for residential customersstays strong, and that retail leases get signed.These arethe places where the provision for, and the strategicinvestment in, public places will generate the mostimpact and have the greatest catalytic effect on futureprivate investment and market appeal.

Suburban develop-ers now offer tran-sit-oriented, urban-style entertainmentand shopping desti-nations, and employ-ment centers.Thiscompetition makesthe design ofWashington’s newneighborhoods—their convenience,attractiveness,uniqueness, quality,and affordability—critical.

17Center City Action Agenda 2008 • Washington, DC

In designating “priority places” for the purposes of thisAction Agenda, these characteristics were considered:

• Existing momentum in the place, including current pub-lic or private investments already flowing to the area.

• Places where investments will enhance connectionsbetween neighborhoods that have been perceived asdisconnected.

• Proximity to Metro and reinforcement of transit usein the Center City.

• Availability of developable parcels that will benefitfrom public investment.

• A lack of amenities and identity that could be provid-ed with additional investment or strategies.

• Short-term action needed by the public sector toimprove or instigate development.

Priority Places• Poplar Point• Capitol Riverfront• Southwest Waterfront• Gateway to NoMa• Massachusetts Avenue Landmark Location• Mount Vernon Square• The National Mall

Priority Places

“Residents are connected by places of “common ground”, such as Union Station and Eastern Market.Such public gathering places should be protected, and should be created in all parts of the city asdevelopment and change occurs.”Connecting the City: Guiding Principles, Citywide Elements, page 2-26,The Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements 2007

The National Mall

Priority Center City EmergingPlaces Boundary Districts

WhiteHouse

USCapitol



Poplar PointThe Gateway to Historic Anacostia

VISIONPoplar Point is currently vacant, federally-owned land inneed of environmental cleanup and investment. Futurerealignment of South Capitol Street and the FrederickDouglass Bridge will enable significant redevelopmenton “the Point” as well as the creation of a large recre-ational park and additional memorial sites. Poplar Pointand the cherished neighborhood of historic Anacostiawill be reinvigorated with improved waterfront park-lands and housing, jobs and a mix of retail and entertain-ment venues. Access to these areas and to theAnacostia River will be seamless, highlighting the prox-imity to Capitol Hill and the emerging southeastBallpark District. As Poplar Point gains new develop-ment, the increasing numbers of residents and commer-cial uses will add vitality to historic Anacostia neighbor-hoods and retail areas along Martin Luther King Jr.Avenue SE. Improved connections between theAnacostia River, Metro Stations, and the historic neigh-borhood will ensure that benefits of the waterfront set-ting are shared by residents, both new and old.

CURRENT CHALLENGESThe greatest challenges include:1) ensuring pedestrian-friendly connections between an improved waterfrontand existing neighborhoods, 2) ensuring that the bene-fits of the new park, the retail offerings, residences andoffices on Poplar Point are shared and accessible byresidents in surrounding neighborhoods, 3) ensuringthat the existing history and culture, as well as resi-dential and retail areas in historic Anacostia arestrengthened and complimented by additional com-mercial and office development.

A national museumof the environmentand major touristdestination isplanned as the focalpoint of the 110-acre mixed-usedevelopment atPoplar Point.

Cre

dit:

Cla

rk R

ealty


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSDevelop a retail strategy for this emerging

neighborhood. As part of the Citywide RetailStrategy, prepare the retail cluster plan to provideneighborhood retail and services complimentaryto the Anacostia Main Street area. Responsibleentities: DCOP, DMPED, DCEP, future BID

Prepare development plans for major devel-

opment sites and the connections between

them. Define land-uses, height, density, neighbor-

hood focal points, prioritize public improvements,and identify funding sources. Coordinate this effortwith implementation of the adopted AnacostiaWaterfront Plan. Responsible entities: DCOP, DMPED

Secure funding support for a BID to serve the

Poplar Point/Anacostia area. Convene propertyowners to consider a new BID, modeling it on theprocess used by the recently-created NoMa andCapitol Riverfront BIDs. Responsible entities:Property owners

Connections aremade between TheFrederick DouglasHouse, the Anacostianeighborhood andPoplar Point and thewaterfront along WStreet SE..

Potential Development Planned and Proposed Recently Completed and Under Existing BuildingSite Projects Construction

Priority Corridor Secondary Corridor Within Historic District

Initially Proposed:1. The National Museum of the Environment2. International Environment Center (ICE)3. The Point (Waterfront Retail District)4. Douglass Boathouse5. Deck Over I-395

6. W Street Landscaping Improvement7. The Preserve8. Waterfront Park9. Outdoor Amphitheater10. MLS Stadium Location (option only)11. The Village at Poplar Point

12. KIPP Academy13. The Marketplace (Neighborhood Retail)14. Metro Square15. New Martin Luther King Jr. Park16. The Frederick Douglass Homestead at

Cedar Hill (not shown)

Cre

dit:

Cla

rk R

ealty

Cre

dit:

Cla

rk R

ealty

AnacostiaRiver

Ballpark



Capitol Riverfront At M Street SE

VISIONThe Capitol Riverfront is anchored by the Navy Yardemployment center and by the new Nationals Ballpark –a major visitor and entertainment destination.Thesedefinitive anchors are catalyzing new office, residentialand retail uses.Two key areas of mixed use developmentare Half Street, the entertainment gateway to theBallpark, and The Yards, a 42-acre site that blends adap-tive uses of historic buildings with new construction anda riverfront park.The area along the riverfront is envi-sioned as a series of connected parks, with the 20-mileRiverwalk Trail running the length of the Anacostia Riverand with Diamond Teague Park south of M Street.TheCapitol Riverfront will be an environmentally sustainableneighborhood, and will include the new Canal Parknorth of M Street as a model of sustainability.

The development dynamic of the Capitol Riverfrontpoints to the intersection of New Jersey Avenue andM Street, SE as the location for a symbolic gatewayand identity for the neighborhood - especially the seg-ment between Half Street on the west and Third

Street on the east.This intersection and surroundinguses have the potential to tie the area together, createa sense of place, and begin to establish civic and com-munity qualities.The existing Metrorail, future transitsolutions, new parks and plazas, and supporting retailwill be the focus of public life in this rapidly developingneighborhood.A high quality public realm that isdesigned to support a distinct identity will provide aframework for, and links to, the 23 million square feetof development capacity.

CURRENT CHALLENGESWithout a civic focal point on M Street, many dis-parate developments along the riverfront and north ofM Street could emerge without a sense of neighbor-hood identity and common ground.Without well-designed public improvements to this busy corridor, MStreet could become, like South Capitol Street, a bar-rier rather than a meeting place. Extending thedynamism of development and connecting the neigh-borhood to the waterfront are also critical elements.

The Yards develop-ment is 42 acres ofoffice, residential andother uses, as wellas a 5.8 acre parkalong the AnacostiaRiver. It includes an1,100 foot longboardwalk that ispart of the muchlarger AnacostiaRiver Walk Trail,extending 16 milesfrom the PotomacRiver to theMaryland border.

Pho

to C

redi

t: F

ores

t C

ity W

ashi

ngto

n


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSPrepare an updated development plan. Updatethe Near Southeast Urban Design Framework Planto identify public investments and amenities need-ed to create a vibrant community and high qualitypublic realm. Responsible entities: DDOT, DMPED,DCOP, Capitol Riverfront BID

Commence construction of Canal Park and

Diamond Teague Park. Finish the designs for, andcommence construction of, Canal Park andDiamond Teague Park. Secure any remaining fund-ing necessary to create these neighborhood openspaces. Responsible entities: DCPR, DCOP, DMPED,Capitol Riverfront BID

Develop a retail strategy for this growing neigh-

borhood. As part of the Citywide Retail Strategy,prepare a retail cluster plan with tenant mix andleasing strategy that identifies specific actions for

securing neighborhood retail and services through-out the Capitol Riverfront and along key streetfrontages such as M Street, SE. Responsible entities:DMPED, DCOP, WDCEP, Capitol Riverfront BID

Develop a final infrastructure assessment and

improvements plan. Assess the condition andcapacity of existing infrastructure systems - waterand sewer, access and parking, etc. - and prioritizethe necessary improvements and make recommen-dations for funding those actions. Responsible entities:DDOT, DMPED, Capitol Riverfront BID, DCOP, utilityproviders.

The proposed designfor Half Street SEcreates an especiallyvibrant destination..



Cre

dit:

Mon

umen

tal R

ealty



Southwest WaterfrontAt 7th and 4th Streets SW

VISIONThe redevelopment of Waterside Mall, the re-opening ofthe now-interrupted 4th Street and the reconnection ofthe long isolated Southwest community to the NationalMall and beyond, will anchor this existing neighborhoodto its envisioned and improving waterfront.The segmentof Maine Avenue, as it becomes M Street, between 12thand 4th Streets, is the recommended focal point for theSouthwest Waterfront. Place making at this location willlink Arena Stage (a major focal point), with theWaterfront Metro Station and the proposed 4th StreetMall. Early implementation of Channel Parks, streetscapeimprovements to M Street, and enhancement of pedes-trian crossings will be necessary to catalyze investmentin the redevelopment of restaurant row along MaineAvenue into a mixed-use district along the WashingtonChannel.The waterfront is being planned as a vibrantmaritime-themed mix of housing, office, shopping andcultural/entertainment use, with parkland and a water-front promenade. A dramatic connection from theBanneker overlook to the waterfront is also envisioned.

CURRENT CHALLENGESStrategic public investments are critical to connect theMetrorail station to Arena Stage and the waterfront.Views to the water from the Metro, signage and neigh-borhood amenities are currently lacking.

Longer-range challenges involve cooperation withNCPC and the National Park Service to accomplishimprovements and development at BannekerOverlook and open space improvements in EastPotomac Park across the Channel. Future pedestrianor vehicular connections to East Potomac Park couldinclude additional bridges over the WashingtonChannel at M Street and at 7th Street.

Proposed develop-ment on theWashingtonChannel at 9thStreet and MaineAvenue SE..

Cre

dit:

PN

Hof

fman


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSContinued implementation planning for a major

activity center that includes the Fish Wharf and

complimentary new waterfront destinations.

Plans need to link the major new developments atthe waterfront with the SW Federal Center,National Mall, and other destinations in Center City.Responsible entities: DMPED, DCOP, Future BID

Re-Design Maine Avenue. Initiate design andidentify funding sources to make the conversionfrom a high-speed parkway to a pedestrian-friendlyboulevard connecting the Southwest Waterfront toArena Stage and the Metrorail stop. Responsibleentities: DDOT, DMPED ,DCOP, future BID

Complete Conceptual Plans for Banneker

Overlook. Finalize a concept that defines the land-use

elements and activates the area, incorporates an inter-

modal transportation facility, and makes a dramatic link to

the Southwest Waterfront. Responsible entities: DMPED,DCOP, NCPC, NPS, DDOT, BID

Explore the creation of a BID to serve the

Southwest Waterfront and the SW Federal

Center. Convene property owners to consider anew BID, modeling it on the process used by therecently-created NoMa and Capitol Riverfront BIDs.Responsible entities: Property owners, neighboring BIDs

Cre

dit:

For

est

City

Was

hing

tonThe proposed plan

for The Waterfrontproject includes residential, office andretail, including asupermarket.



WashingtonChannel

M Street SW

4th

Str

eet

SWMaine Avenue SW

TheWaterfront



NoMaThe Intersection of Florida and New York Avenues

VISIONThis major northeast gateway to Center City and impor-tant transition point between the emerging NoMa neigh-borhood and the traditional neighborhoods of Eckington,Truxton Circle, and Florida Avenue Market, can be trans-formed to create safe connections across its width, toimprove the access to the New York Avenue MetrorailStation, and to create a dramatic entry point into theNoMa neighborhood. The NoMa Vision Plan andDevelopment Strategy, developed in collaboration withDDOT, proposed a redesign of this intersection to sup-port its role as a gateway and entry point to the NoManeighborhood. The new headquarters for ATF hasanchored this intersection of New York and FloridaAvenues, and several other major developments areplanned or under construction in the vicinity. A dramaticgateway intersection design at this location is necessaryto address pedestrian safety, traffic function, curbsidemanagement, and transit service function.This willencourage connections between established neighbor-hoods north of New York and Florida Avenues, includingMcKinley Technology High School, the emerging NoMadistrict and its future employment opportunities, and theplanned retail and other amenities in the immediate vicin-ity of New York Avenue Metrorail Station. A traffic circlethat accomplishes the traffic calming and pedestrian safetygoals and also creates a neighborhood focal point, asThomas Circle does, would do a great deal for NoMaand the neighborhoods around it.

CURRENT CHALLENGESNew York Avenue, like South Capitol Street, functionstoday as part of the highway system rather than a neigh-borhood street, is plagued by congestion and high-acci-dent rates and has become a barrier to surroundingneighborhoods. Studies have shown that the traffic vol-umes on New York Avenue drop dramatically after theentrance to I-395 at New Jersey Avenue, just a few blockswest of NoMa. Reducing or eliminating through-trafficwould greatly improve traffic conditions at the New Yorkand Florida Avenue intersection, eliminating bottle necksand enhancing pedestrian, bicycle and transit access. Longterm solutions that are being evaluated include closing theI-395 entrance at New York Avenue. In the meantime,DDOT's FY 2008 budget includes $5 million for pedestri-an and vehicular traffic improvements to create a “virtualcircle” at the intersection of New York and FloridaAvenues. DDOT's design should address pedestrian safety,lighting, streetscape, landscaping and public art to ensurethat the area truly becomes a gateway to a new neighbor-hood.The Washington Metropolitan Branch Trail is anoth-er key component of improving this gateway intersection.The eight-mile trail will eventually connect NoMa withSilver Spring, including an elevated trail that providesdirect pedestrian and bicycle access from the New YorkAvenue Metro to neighborhoods north and south ofNew York Avenue. Construction of this trail is vitallyimportant as a recreational and pedestrian resource.

Proposed GatewayCircle at the inter-section of New Yorkand Florida Avenuein NoMa. First Streetis the main entranceto NoMa from theNorth leading southtoward the USCapitol.

Cre

dit:

NoM

a B

ID


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSProceed with construction of the “Gateway

Circle” currently under design. Create this “virtu-al” traffic circle to improve safety, accommodatepedestrians, ease traffic flow through the intersec-tion, and enhance the image of NoMa and surround-ing neighborhoods as “green” neighborhoods.Responsible entities: DDOT, DCOP, DPR, NoMa BID

Develop a NoMa retail strategy to include neces-

sary support to attract initial retail and anchors.

NoMa has the potential to develop substantial retailofferings that will serve NoMa resident and workersas well as residents in surrounding neighborhoods(Capitol Hill, Eckington, Shaw, Bloomingdale, NWOne).A cohesive marketing and financing strategy isneeded to attract a unique mix of retailers and to

incentivize early retailers to invest in the area.Responsible agency: NoMa BID, DMPED, DCOP, DDOT,DCEP

Accelerate construction of Washington

Metropolitan Branch Trail. The initial constructiondoes not allow access to the trail north of NewYork Avenue.The next phase of the trail is criticallyimportant for providing a safe pedestrian route fromEckington to NoMa, the Metrorail station, GallaudetUniversity and on to the National Mall, the Ballpark,and the waterfront. Responsible agency: NoMa BID,DMPED, DCOP, DDOT, DPR

Looking North fromthe new ATF head-quarters, the pro-posed MetropolitanBranch Trail is to belocated along the railline visible at theright edge of thisimage.





VISIONThe Massachusetts Avenue juncture with I-395 canbecome the activity hub that connects and anchors sev-eral emerging neighborhoods: Mount Vernon Triangle,NoMa, Northwest One, in addition to Penn Quarter andother existing downtown neighborhoods.This “in-between” place is comprised of several major develop-ment opportunity sites and surrounded by emergingareas in need of a major new 'place' - a neighborhoodpark and public space environment that provides theamenities to create true neighborhoods and maintain themarket for residential development in the area.

The reconnection of F and G Streets across the I-395corridor provides the opportunity to restore an impor-tant link between Union Station, the Georgetown LawSchool, the Building Museum, Harmon Center, PortraitGallery, American Museum of Art, and the VerizonCenter/Gallery Place/Chinatown entertainment area.These restored roadways will connect the energy andactivity of the downtown to the transportation andactivity hub at Union Station. The District has identifieda development partner for the I-395 corridor as well asplans for mixed-use development and the restoration ofF and G Streets.

Reconnecting Eye and L Streets north ofMassachusetts Avenue overcomes the isolation of theNorthwest One neighborhood and connects residentsdirectly to the Safeway grocery and other retail sched-uled to open in summer '08 at 5th and K Streets inMount Vernon Triangle.

With traffic-calming at the interstate entrance, enhancedpedestrian crossings, sufficient improvements to publicspace and the addition of a neighborhood park, this loca-tion will link emerging districts with the downtown andcreate a focal point for adjacent development sites includ-ing development within the I-395 corridor and at theGovernment Printing Office site to the east.

CURRENT CHALLENGESA significant challenge is presented by the lack of a fulltransportation analysis of the function and role of I-395at this location and a determination regarding theaccess/exit points to both Massachusetts and New YorkAvenues. The absence of this study produces uncertaintyin the planning and design of real estate developmentprojects both north and south of Massachusetts Avenue,extending all the way to New York Avenue.

The existing discontinuity of streets contributes to theisolation of Union Station from Judiciary Square, GalleryPlace, Chinatown, and the remainder of the downtownto the west. Reconnecting F and G streets across thesubmerged roadway, in an effort to overcome the barrierbetween important landmark locations in Center City,will add value to emerging neighborhoods such as MountVernon Triangle, NoMa, and major development oppor-tunity sites; however, it requires rebuilding the streetsthrough the I-395 corridor at great additional expenseand restoring street connections through theGeorgetown University Law School campus. DDOT hasbeen working with the Deputy Mayor’s Office and theselected developer to re-establish F and G streets andaddress other traffic and pedestrian safety and flowissues in the vicinity.There are similar challenges associat-ed with reconnecting Eye and L Streets north ofMassachusetts Avenue. In addition, there are cost obsta-cles to air-rights development, including the difficulty ofproviding parking since below-grade space is consumedby the roadway.

There are 16,000 people currently living within 5 blocksof this area and, conservatively, another 8,500 projectedby 2012, and no neighborhood park. The public cost ofcreating a major neighborhood park at this would be asignificant, though essential investment towards the longterm viability and success of Mount Vernon Triangle,NoMa, Northwest One, Mount Vernon Square District,and Penn Quarter Neighborhoods.

Massachusetts AvenueLandmark LocationThe I-395 Corridor


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSUndertake a comprehensive traffic study of

I-395, its connection to New York Avenue, and

its impact on the surrounding street network.

Evaluate the transportation impacts and develop-ment alternatives associated with the terminationof I-395 at Massachusetts Avenue or further south.Evaluate the traffic impacts in the vicinity associat-ed with the reconnection of L and I streetsbetween Northwest One and Mount VernonTriangle and the reconnection of F and G Streetsbetween 2nd and 3rd Streets NW. Responsible enti-ties: DDOT, DCOP, DMPED

Design and designate funding for a major neigh-

borhood park in the vicinity of Massachusetts

Avenue, H and 3rd Streets NW. The rehabilitation

of DPR parkland or the swap for another site atthis location would serve multiple existing anddeveloping neighborhoods, including Mount VernonTriangle, Northwest One, and Penn Quarter.Thismajor public amenity would anchor new develop-ments on several adjacent vacant sites to the eastand northeast. Responsible entities: DMPED, DPR,DCOP, Downtown Neighborhood Association

Complete planning for development in the I-395

corridor. Planning for the area in and around thecorridor from New York Avenue NW south to DStreet can catalyze a significant amount of newdevelopment, creating an entirely new neighborhoodand reweaving currently disconnected areas.Responsible entities: DCOP, DMPED, DDOT, DDOE

Currently, I-395 sepa-rates Union Stationfrom Judiciary Square,Gallery Place andbeyond.

Neighborhood parksare an essentialamenity for emergingresidental areas.





Mount Vernon SquareCenterpiece of a New Destination District

VISIONMount Vernon Square and its surrounding blocks arepoised to become a new entertainment, shopping, andhospitality district on the north edge of the traditionaldowntown.With the 2003 opening of the Walter E.Washington Convention Center on Mount VernonSquare, the recently approved construction of a 1,150-room convention center headquarters hotel, and theroughly 2 million square feet of development potentialat the 10-acre former convention site, the area is posi-tioned to become a bustling, mixed-use center of localand visitor activities.With 280,000 square feet of retailproposed as part of just one development, the criticalmass will finally exist to anchor the downtown as adestination shopping experience sufficient to enticevisitors from the National Mall, convention goers, andmetro area shoppers. Foot traffic around GalleryPlace, the Verizon Center, and the recently reopenedPortrait Gallery/American Museum of Art can extendseamlessly north to this emerging district based onenhanced programming and the design of new devel-opments, streets, and public spaces.

Mount Vernon Square needs to add a new identity to itsimportant layers of history, not only with reinvigoratedand relevant programming at the old Carnegie LibraryBuilding, but also as a multi-modal transportation cross-roads with future north-south and east-westCirculator/street car lines crossing at “the Square” thatconnects Georgetown to Union Station and GeorgiaAvenue the Convention Center to the National Mall andthe waterfront. Greatly improved public space withstreet vendors, seating areas, safe pedestrian crossings,and active ground-level uses around “the Square” willcontribute to the draw and invite citizens and visitors tostroll from district, to district enjoying the increasinglyvaried range of Center City experiences.

CURRENT CHALLENGESAt present, there is a gap between the dynamism thatexists at the Verizon Center, Gallery Place, and thePortrait Gallery/American Museum of Art, and theConvention Center to the north, especially during

evenings and weekends.A significant challenge exists inextending street-related retail and other attractionsnorth and south across Massachusetts and New YorkAvenues to connect to the Convention Center. Byachieving the mix of land uses around Mount VernonSquare, this district can become a great place and sup-port optimal economic performance by the conventioncenter and the proposed headquarters hotel.

Public-sector efforts and dedicated funding streams arecritical to implement the street, sidewalk, multi-modaltransit, park, traffic and signalization improvements thatare needed to realize the opportunity that this areaoffers.Traffic calming and improved pedestrian and bicy-cle connections that work in concert with the futurelight rail or rapid bus line running along K Street areessential to the function of the area, though costly.TheDC Historical Society needs to identify the resourcesto deploy dramatic programming that generates a drawto the old Carnegie Library, and undertake modifica-tions to the building, signage and outdoor spaces togreatly increase attendance and activity.

Proposed mixed-usedevelopment at theformer conventioncenter site.

Cre

dit:

Hin

es A

rchs

tone

Sm

ith


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSPrepare a development plan. Coordinate publicand private investment in the area to realize amajor new destination district focused on MountVernon Square, capitalizing on the convention cen-ter, the proposed convention center hotel, devel-opment at the former convention center site andother sites in the immediate vicinity, various vacantor underutilized development sites, and develop-ment momentum in the Mount Vernon Triangleneighborhood directly to the east. Responsible enti-ties: DCOP, DDOT, DC Historical Society, DMPED, BIDs

Improve transportation, access, and public

space problems around Mount Vernon Square.

By identifying the necessary traffic, pedestrian, andtransit improvements and funding sources we cancapitalize on Mount Vernon Square District as agreat new destination and expand its role as a

transit crossroads. Responsible entities: DDOT,DMPED, DCOP, DC Historical Society, BIDs

Develop streetscape and public space designs

and developer guidelines for the Mount Vernon

Square District. Prepare and put guidelines inplace so that as each site redevelops and as publicand private investments are made, continuity isachieved in the design of streets, sidewalks andopen spaces. Responsible entities: DDOT, DMPED,DCOP, DC Historical Society, BIDs

Analyze intensified-use options for the historic

Carnegie Library building and Mount Vernon

Square. Undertake additional feasibility studies incooperation with the DC Historical Society anddevelop concepts for the intensified use of thebuilding and activation of the grounds. Responsibleentities: DMPED, DCOP, DPR, DC Historical Society, BIDs

The Mount VernonSquare District hasmany underutilizedsites.

Increased active usefor Mount VernonSquare as a cross-roads of transitactivity.





The National MallThe Heart of the Center City

VISIONThe new definition of Center City now extends wellbeyond the traditional downtown, including the south-east and the southwest water frontage, positioning theNational Mall at the center, rather than at the south-ern edge.This constitutes a major shift in our mentalmap and presents a great opportunity to weave centralWashington across this national treasure with culturalinstitutions, revered monuments, major events, andlarge amounts of open space.Today’s conception of theCenter City as the heart of a federal complex and theheart of a thriving metropolis inspires a National Mallthat relates to residents and workers in the District, aswell as visitors from across the nation and around theworld.This vision includes greater connectivitybetween the Mall and north-south into the city and tothe waterfronts.With seamless transitions, improvedpedestrian access, and enhanced programming thatextends to evening and after-hours, one envisions theNational Mall as part of the day-to-day life of the City.Along existing vehicular routes across the Mall, addi-tional street trees, and ground-level activity, encouragewalking by providing spatial definition and activity.

CURRENT CHALLENGESThe National Mall is the symbol and the primary focusof the typical visitor’s experience in the nation’s capital.Yet for the Center City resident and worker, theNational Mall is often viewed as a barrier between theeveryday life of their workplaces in the downtown andthe occasional visit to the Southwest Waterfront or the

Tidal Basin. Similarly, for federal workers in theSouthwest Quadrangle, the Mall is a barrier separatingtheir single-use office environment from the pleasuresand experiences of urbanity in the downtown.

Achieving connectivity and overcoming physical gapsand security barriers requires dramatic improvementsin the treatment of public space, roadways, signage sys-tems, and transit service.This is a shared challenge forthe government of the District of Columbia, theNational Park Service, and other Federal decision-mak-ers.The air quality, congestion, and aesthetic problemsassociated with tour buses is an additional challenge.

There is a need to incorporate ground-level retail infederal buildings, and to limit internalized services suchas food and fitness in order to encourage Federaloffice workers to use the city surrounding them.Thereis also a need to activate street-level frontage in waysthat welcome residents and workers during lunchhours, on evenings, and on weekends, and to study theinfill development that mixes land uses – includinghotels and housing – within areas now dominated byfederal offices.

These issues can be addressed by continued coopera-tion between local and federal agencies and a coordina-tion of initiatives and implementation priorities.

The SmithsonianFestival activates theMall and servesDistrict residents aswell as regional andnational visitors.


RECOMMENDED ACTIONSCoordinate with NPS on its National Mall and

Pennsylvania Avenue Planning Initiative cur-

rently underway. Participate in the planningprocess to ensure that views, services, land uses,way-finding, communications, signage, sustainabilitystrategies, and transit support strong and invitingconnections between the Mall and surroundingCenter City areas. Responsible entities: NPS, DMPED,DCOP, DDOE, DDOT, DPR

Work with the NPS to develop a plan for visitor-

serving transit. Develop transit and parking strate-

gies that interface with other transit to be conven-ient and to serve destinations both on and off theMall. Responsible entities: NPS, DDOT, BIDs, DCOP, DPR

Partner with the NPS to manage tour buses.

Develop plans to provide for reasonable access,drop-off, parking and related facilities while reduc-ing visual impact, congestion, noise, odor, and idling.Responsible entities: NPS, DDOT, DCOP, BIDs

Existing streetscapeat HirshhornMuseum of Art. Anunwelcoming discourages walkingcross the Mall.

Additional locationsfor active recreationand events are need-ed to reduce impactson the National Mall.



16 center city action agenda 2008• washington,dc places ... · 16 center city action agenda...

Documents