Section 10-A1509. CH-1.2 CONSERVING AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

1509.1Policy Ch-1.2.1: Recognition Of Historic Resources

 

Protect and preserve historic structures, places, and landmarks on Capitol Hill, including Congressional Cemetery. Seek greater recognition of the neighborhood’s defining physical features-including the L’Enfant street plan-as important and nationally-significant cultural resources. 1509.1

 

1509.2Policy Ch-1.2.2: Implementation Of Preservation Programs

 

Solicit additional community input on historic preservation needs and opportunities in the Capitol Hill Planning Area, including the surveying of additional areas, expansion of existing historic districts, and increasing the number of landmarked buildings in the city’s current inventory. The HPO should concentrate its efforts in the areas north and east of the Capitol Hill Historic District, and should seek to protect structures along H Street and in other areas that are not currently protected under the District’s preservation law. Historic district laws and guidelines should be strictly monitored and enforced for all new construction, alterations, and public space uses. 1509.2

 

1509.3Policy CH-1.2.3: L’Enfant Avenues

 

Protect and preserve the special character, scale, and historic features of the major L’Enfant Plan avenues that cross Capitol Hill, especially Massachusetts Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, and East Capitol Street. 1509.3

 

1509.4Policy CH-1.2.4: Community Facilities

 

Promote continued investment, maintenance, and modernization of important community public facilities in the Capitol Hill Planning Area, including schools, libraries, and social service facilities. Particular attention should be given to sustaining Eastern High School as a community anchor, and to maintaining Friendship House and the local Boys and Girls Club as social service organizations. 1509.4

 

1509.5Policy CH-1.2.5: Riverfront Parks

 

Ensure that the proposed Anacostia waterfront parks are designed and planned to benefit Capitol Hill residents, with efforts taken to create safe pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections to the shoreline and to provide park facilities and services that respond to the needs of Hill East neighborhoods. 1509.5

 

1509.6Policy CH-1.2.6: Improved Park and Recreation Services

 

Improve parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities throughout Capitol Hill, with a priority on the Near Northeast neighborhood (between H Street and Florida Avenue). The 2006 Parks Master Plan determined that this area was particularly deficient in recreational facilities. Continue efforts to improve safety, security, and maintenance levels at all parks in the Capitol Hill Planning Area. 1509.6

 

1509.7Policy CH-1.2.7: National Park Service Coordination

 

Recognize that most of the parkland in and around the Capitol Hill Planning Area is owned and operated by the National Park Service (NPS), and consequently that a high level of coordination is required between the District and federal governments to ensure that this land is managed in the best interest of Capitol Hill residents. NPS parks include Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, Folger Park, Garfield Park, Seward Square, Marion Park, and the Virginia Avenue playground, as well as the RFK stadium area. These spaces should be conserved and improved as aesthetic, recreational, and natural resources. 1509.7

 

1509.8Policy CH-1.2.8: Streets as Open Space

 

Maintain and enhance “functional” open space within Capitol Hill, particularly the landscaped areas contained within street rights-of-way. These areas include the Pennsylvania Avenue esplanade, the numerous triangle parks along diagonal streets, public plazas such as the area around Eastern Market Metrorail, and the front “yards” of most Capitol Hill row houses, portions of which are located within the public right-of-way. 1509.8

 

1509.9Action CH-1.2.A: Historic Surveys

 

Conduct historic surveys for the portion of Stanton Park not currently in the Capitol Hill Historic District, and for the Near Northeast, Hill East, Rosedale, and Kingman Park neighborhoods. Based on the findings of those surveys and additional community input and recommendations, prepare nominations to the National Register as appropriate. Consideration should be given to extending the Capitol Hill Historic District eastward to the boundary of the 1791 L’Enfant Plan. 1509.9

 

1509.10Action CH-1.2.B: Capitol Hill Design Guidelines

 

Develop graphic design guidelines for the Capitol Hill Historic District, illustrating appropriate architectural design features for new construction, renovation, and alterations. 1509.10

 

1509.11Action CH-1.2.C: RFK Stadium Area

 

Actively participate in the current effort by the National Capitol Planning Commission, the National Park Service, the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, local Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, residents, and neighborhood groups to develop a long-range plan for the RFK Stadium complex, extending from the DC Armory north to Benning Road. The plan should include provisions for a substantial amount of waterfront open space, as well as measures to enhance and restore the natural environment in this area. 1509.11

 

1509.12Action CH-1.2.D: Park and Recreation Improvements

 

Upgrade the Rosedale, Watkins, Hine, and Payne recreation centers and playgrounds, and the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center. Explore the development of an additional recreation center in the area between H Street and Florida Avenue. 1509.12

 

1509.13Action CH-1.2.E: Senior Center

 

Explore the feasibility of developing a senior center in the Northeast part of Capitol Hill. 1509.13

 

1509.14Action CH-1.2.F: Old Naval Hospital

 

Retain and renovate the Historic Naval Hospital on Pennsylvania Avenue as a community facility. 1509.14

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.