Section 10-A1616. CW-2.6 GOLDEN TRIANGLE/K STREET

 

1616.1The Golden Triangle/K Street Policy Focus Area includes the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District and the area to the east around Franklin Square. The area is roughly bounded by Massachusetts Avenue on the north, New Hampshire Avenue on the west, and Pennsylvania (west of the White House) and New York Avenues (east of the White House) on the south. 1616.1

 

1616.2This is the largest concentration of office space in Central Washington, encompassing more than 60 square blocks almost completely developed with office buildings. The area also includes complementary land uses that support the office market, such as hotels, retail stores and restaurants. It also contains important open spaces such as Farragut and McPherson Squares. Golden Triangle/K Street shares its southern edge with major institutional and federal neighbors, including the White House, the Corcoran Gallery, and the Executive Office Building. The area around 19th and G Streets NW has emerged as the District’s international financial center, with global banking and monetary institutions like the IMF and World Bank. 1616.2

 

1616.3On the eastern side of this Focus Area, Lower 16th Street has a unique and historic character that sets it apart from the area around it. The five blocks between H Street NW and Scott Circle are the ceremonial gateway to the White House and provide significant vistas of the White House and Washington Memorial. The street’s green space and exceptionally wide right-of-way (40 feet between the sidewalks and property lines) are a defining element of its character. In addition, the corridor includes notable architecture and a mix of uses, including high-density housing. It is currently under consideration for historic district designation. 1616.3

 

1616.4The Golden Triangle/K Street area was Central Washington’s major development area from 1950 through the early 1980s. Today, the area is almost completely built out and almost no vacant land remains. Some of the area’s buildings are likely to be replaced or overhauled during the coming years, however. This is especially true for its 1950s and 1960s vintage office buildings, many of which lack modern “Class A” amenities. As infill and renovation take place, there will be opportunities to introduce new uses such as housing, and to improve architectural quality and street-level activity. 1616.4

 

1616.5Because the area has been so heavily dominated by a single use (office) in the past, its streets are often empty at night and on the weekends. The lack of residents forces many of the retailers to limit hours of operation. The area’s architecture is also repetitive, with many buildings almost identical in height and width and similar in exterior design. This should change in the future, as the area takes on a more mixed use character and high-quality architecture becomes more valued as an amenity. 1616.5

 

1616.6Over the next 20 years, housing and retail uses should be considered in this area to balance the office concentration and create after-hours street life. The area has some of the best transit access in the city, with four Metrorail stations. A proposed redesign of K Street to create an exclusive busway will improve connectivity between this area and the rest of Downtown, as well as the emerging Mount Vernon District and NoMA area. 1616.6

 

1616.7Policy CW-2.6.1: Golden Triangle/Franklin Square as a Prestige Employment Center

 

Sustain the Golden Triangle/Franklin Square area as a prestige employment center, strongly supporting reinvestment in its office buildings to meet market demand. Continue to develop programs to meet the transportation needs of the local workforce, manage congestion on area streets, address security needs, and improve access for transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists. 1616.7

 

1616.8Policy CW-2.6.2: Diversification of Land Use

 

Encourage the gradual diversification of land uses in Golden Triangle, capitalizing on opportunities for housing and ground floor retail use as the aging building stock is replaced. 1616.8

 

1616.9Policy CW-2.6.3: Golden Triangle/K Street Amenities

 

Retain and enhance the unique characteristics of the Golden Triangle/K Street area. Specifically, Franklin Square, McPherson Square, and Farragut Square parks, should be retained as attractive, high quality open spaces, with programmed activities that encourage their use and enjoyment. Historic buildings throughout the area should be restored, protected, and adaptively reused. As the area is renovated and older buildings are refurbished and replaced, the streetscape and public realm also should be improved. 1616.9

 

Over the next 20 years, housing and retail uses should be considered in this area to balance the office concentration and create after-hours street life. The area has some of the best transit access in the city, with four Metrorail stations.

 

1616.10Policy CW-2.6.4: Connecticut Avenue Corridor

 

Support the continued concentration of active ground-floor retail uses along the Connecticut Avenue corridor between K Street and Dupont Circle. 1616.10

 

1616.11Policy CW-2.6.5: East-West Circulation Improvements

 

Improve east-west circulation through the Golden Triangle to better connect the area to the Retail Core, Gallery Place, and Mount Vernon areas on the east, and the West End and Georgetown business districts on the west. These improvements should reinforce K Street’s role as the area’s “Main Street.” 1616.11

 

1616.12Policy CW-2.6.6: Lower 16th Street

 

Protect and enhance the special character of Lower 16th Street NW between H Street and Scott Circle. The street’s historic, ceremonial role as the approach to the White House and Lafayette Park should be recognized and conserved. Future development shall be compatible with the street’s established architectural character and scale. Uses and activities that are appropriate to maintain the street’s appearance and historic significance, particularly its open space and greenery, should be encouraged. 1616.12

 

1616.13Action CW-2.6.A: K Street Busway

 

Implement the K Street Busway project, including exclusive bus lanes from 9th Street to 22nd Street NW. 1616.13

 

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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.