Section 10-A1512. CH-2.2: PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SE CORRIDOR

 

1512.1Pennsylvania Avenue is sometimes referred to as “America’s Main Street” and has ceremonial, historic, and symbolic importance. In many respects, the avenue is also Capitol Hill’s Main Street, with walkable shopping areas extending up 7th Street to Eastern Market, and down 7th and 8th Streets through the Barracks Row historic area. This concentration of commercial uses is known as Capitol Hill’s “Central Business District.” 1512.1

 

1512.2East of 9th Street SE, Pennsylvania Avenue becomes more residential in character, although there are commercial uses at many of the intersections. Some of these commercial uses are auto-oriented (gas stations and fast food outlets), and serve the heavy volume of commuter traffic headed to or from the Sousa Bridge. The juxtaposition of older residential row homes and drive-through commercial uses creates land use conflicts on the corridor, and compromises the image of Pennsylvania Avenue as a gateway to the nation’s capital. Consequently, the entire corridor from the U.S. Capitol east to the Maryland line was designated by the city as a “Great Street” in 2005. Efforts are underway to improve the streetscape, and address a variety of land use, transportation, and design issues. 1512.2

 

1512.3Two metrorail subway stations along the corridor present both challenges and opportunities. The Eastern Market station entrance is an unwelcoming public space located in an otherwise attractive pedestrian-friendly area. The possibility of developing the plaza as a “town square” has been explored in the past and should continue to be pursued. Historic Eastern Market itself is in need of structural improvements, and there continue to be issues related to the lack of parking in the vicinity. 1512.3

 

1512.4The Potomac Avenue Metro station area suffers from a lack of identity, poor visibility, and conditions that are dangerous for pedestrians. The area could become a much more dynamic neighborhood center in the future, with new shops, housing, and public spaces. The community remains concerned about the scale of proposed development around the station, given that the area is currently characterized by two and three story row houses. Opportunities for new multi-family development should be concentrated on vacant lots and on the “drive-through” commercial properties along the avenue, and should emphasize moderate densities rather than medium or high densities. Refurbishing and renovation of older commercial buildings, particularly those with pedestrian-oriented retail storefronts, should also be strongly encouraged. Efforts to create a “Main Street” program in this area were initiated several years ago and should be supported in the future. 1512.4

 

1512.5Policy CH-2.2.1: Pennsylvania Avenue “Great Street”

 

Improve Pennsylvania Avenue SE as the ceremonial gateway to the U.S. Capitol. The design of the avenue, including adjacent buildings, land uses, and public spaces should adhere to high aesthetic standards and should enhance the avenue’s role as a neighborhood commercial center and walkable street. 1512.5

 

1512.6Policy CH-2.2.2: Neighborhood Shopping Improvements

 

Sustain existing businesses and encourage additional neighborhood serving retail uses along Barracks Row, on 7th Street SE between Pennsylvania Avenue and North Carolina Avenue, and along Pennsylvania Avenue between 2nd Street and 4th Street SE, 6th and 9th Streets SE, and 12th and 16th Streets SE. Any improvements or alterations in these areas should protect and preserve the historic texture, scale, and features of the existing buildings and adjoining neighborhoods. 1512.6

 

1512.7Policy CH-2.2.3: Eastern Market Metrorail Station

 

Improve the urban design quality of the Eastern Market Metrorail station area. Consider development of moderate density housing with ground floor retail on underused commercial sites in the station vicinity. Provide appropriate transitions between such development and adjacent residential areas, and take steps to manage additional traffic and parking demand and improve Metro access. 1512.7

 

1512.8Policy CH-2.2.4: Eastern Market

 

Continue to promote Eastern Market’s intended function as a produce, meat, farmers, and retail market as well as a community meeting place and visual arts center. Preserve the historic character of the Market and surrounding area. 1512.8

 

1512.9Policy CH-2.2.5: Barracks Row

 

Continue to promote Barracks Row as a neighborhood-serving retail center. Emphasize local-serving rather than regional or large-format retail uses, and retain the area’s historic scale and character. Particularly encourage additional retail to locate along the portion of Barracks Row south of the freeway, thus enhancing the connection between Capitol Hill and the emerging waterfront neighborhoods. 1512.9

 

1512.10Policy CH-2.2.6: Potomac Avenue Metrorail Station

 

Support the revitalization of vacant commercial space and additional moderate density mixed use development around the Potomac Avenue Metro station. Such development should be located on existing commercially zoned property and developed in a manner that is consistent with existing zoning (including established provisions for planned unit developments and pending programs for inclusionary housing). Any infill development should be relatively low-scale, respecting the character of the adjacent row house community. 1512.10

 

1512.10a  Policy CH-2.2.7:  Hine Junior High School Site

 

Promote continued investment and redevelopment of Hine Junior High School, an important community public facility, which was closed in the summer of 2008.  Redevelopment of the site should complement the adjacent neighborhood.

 

1512.11Action CH-2.2.A: Streetscape Improvements

 

Implement “Great Streets” plans to beautify Pennsylvania Avenue, including landscaping, street furniture and street lighting improvements, maintenance of the esplanade and small parks along the avenue, pedestrian improvements, and traffic management measures. These improvements should reinforce the avenue’s role as a historic street and ceremonial gateway and should complement the efforts that have already been made to improve the streetscape in the 600 block and near Eastern Market. 1512.11

 

1512.12Action CH-2.2.B: Eastern Market Plaza

 

Prepare and implement an urban design and transit improvement plan for the Eastern Market Metro station entrance, making it a more attractive “town square” and improving the plaza’s ability to function as a major transfer point between Metrorail’s Blue Line and connecting buses serving Southeast Washington. 1512.12

 

1512.13Action CH-2.2.C: Eastern Market Renovation

 

Implement plans to improve Eastern Market, addressing structural deficiencies and renovation needs, as well as related issues such as parking, access, and deliveries. 1512.13

 

1512.14Action CH-2.2.D: Potomac Gardens New Community

 

Pursue redevelopment of Potomac Gardens as a new community, replacing the existing public housing development with new mixed income housing, including an equivalent number of affordable units and additional market rate units. Overall densities on the site should be compatible with adjacent uses. Every effort should be made to avoid the long-term displacement of existing residents if the project is reconstructed. 1512.14

 

See the Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan for specific actions relating to the improvement of the city’s “Main Street” retail areas such as Barracks Row.

 

authority

Pursuant to the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1-306.01 et seq.), the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (10 DCMR A300 through A2520) (“Comprehensive Plan”).

source

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300) published at 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361) published at 58 DCR 908, 923 (February 4, 2011).

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.