Section 10-A1617. CW-2.7 L¡¯ENFANT PLAZA/NEAR SOUTHWEST

 

1617.1The L’Enfant Plaza/Near Southwest Policy Focus Area is bounded by 15th Street NW on the west, 2nd Street NW on the East, Independence Avenue on the north, and I-395 on the south. The area includes a mix of private commercial development and numerous federal office buildings, including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Education, and Housing and Urban Development. With a workforce of 65,000 employees, the Near Southwest is one of the major employment hubs of Central Washington. 1617.1

 

1617.2The Near Southwest reflects the Modernist design philosophies of the 1950s and 1960s. Although some of its buildings were constructed in the late 1930s, the area’s character was largely defined by the urban renewal projects of the post-war era. Many of its mid-century buildings are set back from the street by vast plazas and are accessed by raised roadways like the 10th Street promenade. The vision for the area as a coherent set of futuristic buildings was never realized, and today the area has a disjointed quality. 1617.2

 

1617.3In addition, Near Southwest’s former role as a federal industrial district is evident in a number of places. Elevated railroad tracks bisect the area, and there are still active heating plants, warehouses, and even quasimanufacturing activities like the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. Navigating the area on foot can be confusing and the relationships between buildings, streets, and the area’s larger context is often unclear. 1617.3

 

1617.4Some of the Near Southwest’s private complexes, including the Portals and L’Enfant Plaza, are zoned in a way that allows additional development on their plazas and open spaces. Design measures are needed to guide this development so that it can help resolve the harsh pedestrian conditions within the area and humanize the streetscape. Streetscape improvements are also needed to better connect the Near Southwest with the Southwest Waterfront (via the Banneker Overlook at the end of 10th Street), and the National Mall. Planning for the area should be done collaboratively with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), which has jurisdiction over much of this area. NCPC’s Urban Design and Security Plan contained extensive recommendations for improving circulation and streetscape in this area while also addressing security concerns for major federal tenants. In addition, the area will be addressed by NCPC in its National Capital Framework Plan. 1617.4

 

1617.5  Policy CW-2.7.1: Enhancing the Near Southwest 

 

Work collaboratively with the National Capital Planning Commission to improve the aesthetic quality, identity, and pedestrian character of the Near Southwest.  Plans for the area should identify streetscape and signage improvements, pedestrian circulation changes, measures to mitigate the scale of the area’s monolithic buildings, guidelines for new (or replacement) buildings within the area, and the potential for new residential uses if federal properties transfer from federal use.

 

1617.6Policy CW-2.7.2: 10th Street Promenade and Banneker Overlook

 

Enhance 10th St SW as a major point of access between the National Mall, L’Enfant Plaza, and the Southwest Waterfront. Encourage a nationally significant cultural attraction at Banneker Overlook that provides a clear connection between the Near Southwest, the Washington Channel, and East Potomac Park. Planning for this area should be coordinated with DDOT’s plans to develop an intermodal transportation center in the vicinity. 1617.6

 

1617.7Policy CW-2.7.3: Restoring Maryland and Virginia Avenues

 

Support the long-term relocation or undergrounding of the Near Southwest’s elevated railroad tracks, allowing Maryland and Virginia Avenues to be restored as connecting diagonal streets and important corridors that respect reciprocal views and pedestrian movement. 1617.7

 

1617.7a  Policy CW-2.7.4:  Redevelopment of Maryland Avenue SW and Surrounding Lands

 

Require residential uses and neighborhood livability standards for the creation of a new mixed-use neighborhood as part of any redevelopment of the Maryland Avenue SW area; provide for the reconstruction of Maryland Avenue SW, including cultural use and public space as appropriate.

 

1617.8Action CW-2.7.A: Design Planning for the Near Southwest

 

Work collaboratively with the National Capital Planning Commission to develop urban design and streetscape plans for the Near Southwest. These plans should consider the build out potential of the area’s urban renewal sites. They should also consider the need for zoning changes, design guidelines, or other measures that encourage the development of nationally important destinations while limiting over development of existing open spaces and plazas. 1617.8

 

1617.9  Action CW-2.7.B:  Residential Uses in the Near Southwest

 

Use innovative zoning, as appropriate, to link development potential to identified infrastructure improvements, and coordinate with the National Capital Planning Commission to identify infrastructure consistent with local and federal planning goals for the area.  Innovative zoning may include establishing a direct correlation between maximum zoning entitlements and infrastructure construction and requiring minimum residential densities.

 

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, 924 (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.