Section 10-A1611. CW-2.1 METRO CENTER/RETAIL CORE

 

1611.1For the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan, the Metro Center/Retail Core area includes the traditional “Downtown Retail Core” along F and G Streets NW, as well as other city blocks in the area roughly bordered by 15th Street on the west, 9th Street on the east, New York Avenue on the north, and Pennsylvania Avenue on the south. (Note: the retail core also extends east to 6th Street NW, but the eastern blocks are addressed in the next section on Gallery Place/Penn Quarter.) 1611.1

 

1611.2This area includes the 11-acre site of the former Washington Convention Center, which is planned for approximately 300,000 square feet of retail space in the District’s redevelopment vision. The area also includes Downtown’s largest department store, other major retailers, many large office buildings, hotels, theaters, and restaurants. At the heart of this area, the Metro Center subway station is one of the busiest stations in the Metrorail system and is a major transfer point between intersecting Metro lines. 1611.2

 

1611.3While the Retail Core has enjoyed a comeback since 2000, it is not robust. Many retail spaces remain underutilized or have been converted to office space. Some of the retail energy has shifted eastward toward Gallery Place, with many of the blocks around Metro Center now perceived as an office district rather than the region’s premier shopping area. The renovation of Hecht’s and the opening of new retailers like H&M (in the former Woodward and Lothrop Department Store) have been positive signs. On the other hand, the Shops at National Place-designed to revitalize Downtown shopping in the 1980s-has been converted to non-destination retail use. Downtown workers still have limited shopping options, and potential tourist and visitor spending is still being lost. In addition, with only one major department store, Downtown Washington does not offer the range and quality of goods to be expected in a major city’s downtown, much less the capital of the United States. 1611.3

 

1611.4The retail core of the city must be strengthened in the coming years. Retail “leakage” or loss of sales has been estimated to be as high as $1.2 billion per year (or approximately $70 million in tax revenue in 2005). Retail strategies should build off the success of nearby Gallery Place and the Verizon Center, increasing the synergy between these areas and the historic F Street shopping district. The old Convention Center site offers an opportunity to improve the connection between the two areas and create an expanded Central Washington shopping district for the region. New boutique department stores, major national retailers, and smaller independent specialty shops should be strongly encouraged as redevelopment plans for the old Convention Center site proceed. 1611.4

 

1611.5Including ground level retail space within new and renovated office space in the Metro Center area can also help create the critical mass necessary to make Central Washington a more vibrant shopping hub. Strategies to address parking needs, improve public transit links, and create a more comfortable and attractive street environment can support the goal of increasing the area’s prominence as a retail center. 1611.5

 

1611.6Policy CW-2.1.1: Strengthening the Retail Core

 

Strengthen the traditional retail core along F and G Streets between 9th and 15th Street NW. Encourage the extension of the retail core eastward to 6th Street NW to create greater synergy between this area and Gallery Place. Large scale retail and entertainment uses should continue to be strongly encouraged as buildings in the Downtown Retail Core are adaptively reused, and as new infill development takes place. 1611.6

 

1611.7Policy CW-2.1.2: Promoting Central Washington Shopping

 

Facilitate District and private sector efforts to market the Central Washington Retail Core as a shopping destination for District residents as well as for tourists and suburban residents, and to promote Central Washington as a preferred alternative to suburban shopping malls. Retail strategies for this area should be structured to avoid damaging the successful and strong regional retail economies in Georgetown and Friendship Heights. 1611.7

 

1611.8Policy CW-2.1.3: Creating a Critical Mass of Retail Choices

 

Improve Downtown’s viability as a shopping destination by encouraging additional small retailers to locate around existing retail anchors, adding new major retail anchors, and requiring continuous ground floor retail space wherever appropriate. Encourage the greatest possible variety of goods, services, and pricing so that the Retail Core meets the needs of a diverse range of residents, employees, and visitors. 1611.8

 

1611.9Policy CW-2.1.4: Establishing a Unique Identity for Downtown Shopping

 

Enhance the identity of the Downtown Retail Core as a unique shopping area. Design attention should be focused on the lower levels of buildings, with at grade retail frontages and frequent street-level store entrances. Special features such as canopies, signs, and lighting should be used to create a vibrant shopping environment. Streetscape and landscape design, street lighting, and signage should contribute to the area’s unique sense of place. 1611.9

 

1611.10Policy CW-2.1.5: Pedestrian Movement in the Retail Core

 

Emphasize and encourage pedestrian movement in the Downtown Retail Core, particularly along F, G, and H Streets NW. Future development in this area should create and support street-level activity. Interior or underground pedestrian arcades or passageways should be discouraged. 1611.10

 

1611.11Policy CW-2.1.6: Connections to Adjacent Areas

 

Improve pedestrian connections within the Downtown Retail Core, with a particular emphasis on improving the north-south connections along 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th Streets NW to better connect the area to the Federal Triangle and National Mall on the south and the Convention Center and Franklin Square areas on the north. Use strategies such as improved signage and streetscape design to draw visitors from the National Mall. 1611.11

 

1611.12Policy CW-2.1.7: Complementary Activities

 

Encourage new activities in the Downtown Retail Core that complement and support its primary function as a shopping district, including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment activities. 1611.12

 

1611.13Policy CW-2.1.8: Parking in the Retail Core

 

Encourage the provision of sufficient parking and loading areas in and adjacent to the Downtown Retail Core, with an emphasis on short term parking for shoppers. Wherever feasible, access to parking should be from E and H Streets NW and from the north-south streets, rather than from F and G Streets NW. 1611.13

 

1611.14Policy CW-2.1.9: Old Convention Center Redevelopment

 

Support the redevelopment of the Old Washington Convention Center as a mixed use development with residential, office, institutional, community, open space, and recreational uses. Promote the site as a regional retail destination that links Gallery Place to the traditional Retail Core. The reuse plan should include restoration of the I Street and 10th Street rights of way and the Reservation 174 “triangle”, and should be oriented around a major new civic plaza. 1611.14

 

1611.15Action CW-2.1.A: Downtown Retail District Streetscape Planning

 

Review land use, zoning, and urban design regulations for the Downtown retail district to ensure that they are producing the desired results, including continuous ground floor retail space, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and increased patronage by visitors and workers. 1611.15

 

1611.16Action CW-2.1.B: Retail Revitalization Programs

 

Continue to use retail revitalization programs such as tax increment financing, grants and loans for façade improvements, and small business development loans to boost Downtown retail development. Periodically assess whether programs are achieving desired outcomes. 1611.16

 

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.