Section 10-A1615. CW-2.5 DOWNTOWN EAST/JUDICIARY SQUARE

 

1615.1The Downtown East/Judiciary Square Focus Area is roughly bounded by Massachusetts Avenue NW on the north, North Capitol Street and Louisiana Avenue NW on the east, Pennsylvania Avenue on the south, and 5th Street NW on the west. The area is dominated by government and institutional uses, including the US Department of Labor, General Accounting Office, and Federal Courthouse; the District Municipal Building and Superior Court; Georgetown Law School; and the National Building Museum. The area also includes new housing development along Massachusetts Avenue, private office buildings like the award-winning National Association of Realtors building, and several large hotels. 1615.1

 

1615.2The Downtown East/Judiciary Square area currently suffers from a weak sense of identity-even its hotels are advertised as being on Capitol Hill rather than Downtown. East-west circulation is interrupted by I-395, which effectively carves a wide channel through the area between 2nd and 3rd Streets NW. Massive government buildings further block circulation and in some instances obstruct historic sight lines. The area also contains a large number of parking lots, curb cuts, and buildings that are devoid of ground level activity. 1615.2

 

1615.3Downtown East has the potential to be much more than it is today. It could be much better integrated with the booming Gallery Place/Penn Quarter area on its west, the emerging Mount Vernon Triangle and NoMA neighborhoods on its north, and the Capitol complex and Union Station area on its east. The area is substantially larger than Gallery Place/Penn Quarter but lacks its animated quality, fine-grain architecture, and active street life. Key to its future success is the development of the air rights over I-395 and the restoration of E and F Streets NW as east-west through streets. The improvement of Judiciary Square as a great public space also should be encouraged to create a stronger focal point for the area. Mixed use infill development should be strongly encouraged throughout Downtown East. The design of new buildings in this area should be less monolithic than they have has been in the past, with active ground floor uses and more varied facades. 1615.3

 

1615.4Policy CW-2.5.1: Judiciary Square Improvements

 

Maintain the primary function of the Judiciary Square area as a judicial center, and enhance the area’s appearance as a great pedestrian-oriented civic space with a strong sense of identity. Consistent with the 2005 Master Plan for the site, buildings in the area should be better related to one another and to the Square itself. 1615.4

 

1615.5Policy CW-2.5.2: Judiciary Square Parking Relocation

 

Pursue the long-term relocation of surface parking lots south of Judiciary Square (on E Street) and east of the Square (along 4th Street) to underground garages as a way to improve aesthetics, enhance the Square’s role as a formal open space, and provide a green connection to the National Mall. Consider special paving, traffic and parking restrictions, and other design changes on F Street NW to improve connectivity between the National Building Museum and the Square. 1615.5

 

1615.6Policy CW-2.5.3: Connecting Judiciary Square to Gallery Place/ Penn Quarter

 

Improve pedestrian connections between Judiciary Square and the Gallery Place/Penn Quarter area by encouraging active ground floor uses along E and F Streets NW, improving signage, upgrading surface transit, and supporting compatible infill development. 1615.6

 

1615.7Policy CW-2.5.4: Enhancing the Identity of “Downtown East”

 

Strengthen Downtown East as a geographically distinct mixed use area of hotel, commercial, retail, and residential development, taking advantage of its strategic location between Capitol Hill, Downtown, and Union Station. Undertake streetscape improvements, well-designed infill development, and branding and marketing strategies to give the area a stronger identity and sense of place. 1615.7

 

1615.8Policy CW-2.5.5: Using the Avenues as a Design Framework

 

Take advantage of the L’Enfant Plan avenues that cross Downtown East, including New Jersey, Massachusetts and Louisiana Avenues NW, and North Capitol Street to create a framework for the area’s future development. The avenues should be enhanced as pedestrian-friendly streets, with buildings designed to frame important views and landmarks. 1615.8

 

1615.9Policy CW-2.5.6: I-395 Air Rights Development

 

Pursue development of the air rights over I-395 between E Street NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW, including the restoration of the street rights-of- way along F and G Streets. Mixed land uses, including housing, offices, ground floor retail, and parkland, should be encouraged in this area. Air rights development should be sensitive to adjacent areas and should preserve important views. 1615.9

 

1615.10Action CW-2.5.A: Downtown East Design Plans

 

Conduct more detailed urban design planning for the Downtown East areas similar to the plans completed for the Mount Vernon Square and Mount Vernon Triangle areas. 1615.10

 

1615.11Action CW-2.5.B: Judiciary Square Transportation Improvements

 

Implement the recommendations of the 2004 DDOT Judiciary Square Transportation and Security Study, including the narrowing of E Street and Indiana Avenue, restoration of two-way traffic on C Street, provision of new bus stops and bicycle amenities, and better organization of parking to reduce conflicts in the area. 1615.11

 

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.