Section 10-A1609. CW-1.2 CONSERVING AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

1609.1Policy CW-1.2.1: Enhancing the Identity of Central Washington Neighborhoods

 

Enhance the sense of identity of the different neighborhoods within Central Washington based on their history and natural features, their ethnic and cultural heritage, the design and scale of their buildings, and the types of activities and uses they support. Unique identities should be established in the emerging areas around Washington’s traditional Downtown, rather than replicating existing development patterns. 1609.1

 

1609.2Policy CW-1.2.2: Preservation of Central Washington’s Historic Resources

 

Protect and enhance Central Washington’s historic resources by continuing the current practices of:

 

a.Preserving the area’s historic buildings and districts;

 

b.Requiring that renovation and new construction is sensitive to the character of historic buildings and districts;

 

c.Applying design incentives and requirements to encourage preservation, adaptive reuse, and appropriate relationships between historic development and new construction;

 

d.Encouraging the adaptive reuse of historic and architecturally significant buildings; and

 

e.Preserving the original L’Enfant Plan pattern of streets and alleys, especially alleys that provide for off-street loading, deliveries, and garage access.

 

Historic resources should be recognized as essential to Downtown’s economic vitality and competitive edge, particularly for retail, tourist, and entertainment activities. 1609.2

 

See also the Historic Preservation Element for additional policies related to historic resources.

 

1609.3Policy CW-1.2.3: Central Washington Open Space

 

Provide high quality outdoor public spaces throughout Central Washington. This should include the development of new open spaces, such as a civic plaza on the site of the Old Convention Center. It should also include enhancements to existing open spaces such as Judiciary Square (in accordance with the approved Judiciary Square Master Plan). In addition, the area’s triangle parks should be enhanced as an important element of the L’Enfant Plan. Parks and open spaces in Central Washington should be well maintained, well-designed, and appropriately programmed based on their location, context, historic significance, and design features. 1609.3

 

1609.4Policy CW-1.2.4: Recreation for New Downtown Residents and Workers

 

Ensure that emerging residential and employment centers such as Northwest One, NoMA and Mount Vernon Triangle include adequate parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities for residents, workers and other users. The use of payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) to fund such improvements should be explored. 1609.4

 

See also Parks, Recreation and Open Space for policies regarding new parks.

 

1609.5Policy CW-1.2.5: Central Washington Economic Opportunity

 

Develop programs to maximize the economic benefits of development in Central Washington for District residents. A priority should be placed on programs which link District residents to jobs in the area; programs that retain, assist, and expand small and minority businesses; and programs that avoid the displacement of small or locally-owned businesses. 1609.5

 

See also the Economic Development Element for policies relating to small businesses and commercial gentrification.

 

1609.6Policy CW-1.2.6: Central Washington Social Services

 

Continue the important role that Central Washington plays in the District’s social service delivery system, particularly in the provision of health care and medical services, and services for the homeless, elderly, disabled, and others with special needs. Ensure that centrally located facilities providing these services are retained or added as the city’s population and employment base expand. 1609.6

 

1609.7Policy CW-1.2.7: Central Washington Leadership and Management

 

Achieve Central Washington planning objectives through leadership and management strategies as well as land use, transportation, and design strategies. Support the activities of local Business or Community Improvement Districts to coordinate special events, marketing, planning and design, business development, maintenance and security, transportation, and joint development activities. 1609.7

 

1609.8Policy CW-1.2.8: Building a Sense of Community in Central Washington

 

Encourage the involvement of Central Washington residents in planning and community development decisions. Given the expected influx of new residents into the area and the historically transient character of its population, this will be important to create a stronger sense of community ownership and neighborhood pride. 1609.8

 

1609.9Action CW-1.2.A: Business and Community Improvement Districts

 

Support the activities of the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) within Central Washington. Encourage partnerships between these entities and District government to achieve local job training, job placement, and business assistance goals. 1609.9

 

See also the Economic Development Element for additional policies related to economic and business development.

 

1609.10Action CW-1.2.B: Central Washington Open Space Planning

 

Work with the National Capital Planning Commission and the National Park Service in the planning and programming of Central Washington’s major open spaces, including participation in the National Capital Framework Plan and the National Mall Comprehensive Management Plan. In addition, work with the federal government to develop unique management policies and procedures for the smaller (non-Mall) Central Washington federal parks. 1609.10

 

1609.11More specific actions relating to community resources are contained in the Policy Focus area discussions below. 1609.11

 

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.