Section 10-A1711. FNS-2.1 MINNESOTA/BENNING BUSINESS DISTRICT

 

1711.1The Minnesota/Benning Business District includes the Minnesota Avenue Metro station and the shopping district to the south, extending along both sides of Minnesota Avenue to East Capitol Street. Sometimes referred to as “Downtown Ward 7”, it includes the 150,000 square foot East of the River Park Shopping Center, the Senator Square Shopping Center (anchored by the former Senator Theater), and a variety of small retail and service businesses serving Far Northeast and Southeast. While this area functions as an important community shopping district, some of its properties are underutilized and consist of empty parking lots, open storage, vacant buildings, and undeveloped land. The shopping district itself lacks the variety of retail stores needed to serve the community. It also suffers from poor design, confusing access and parking, and-with the exception of the historic Senator Theater-a lack of distinctive facades and storefronts. 1711.1

 

1711.2A complex of office buildings, including a 4-story Metro parking garage, and a new headquarters for the Department of Employment Services and Department of Human Services, are planned on a 10-acre area site just south of the Minnesota Avenue Station. Space for future private offices and retail stores will also be provided. The development should provide a catalyst for revitalization, and bring new revenue and a larger customer base to the adjacent shopping area. Complementary uses such as a civic space/urban plaza, public art, and cultural facilities should be strongly encouraged, and additional infill development should be supported on vacant lots and underutilized land to the south and east. 1711.2

 

1711.3Improvements to Minnesota Avenue are planned to maintain traffic flow, and make the area safer for pedestrians. Any development in this area should maximize Metrorail access while taking care to provide appropriate buffers and transitions to adjacent uses. 1711.3

 

1711.4Policy FNS-2.1.1: Minnesota/Benning Revitalization

 

Support revitalization and further development of the area around the Minnesota Avenue Metro station, including the adjacent business district to the south along Minnesota Avenue. Upgrade and expand existing businesses in this area, and encourage new small business development, educational facilities, and community-based human services such as job training, health care, and child care facilities. Any new public facility in this area should contribute to its image as an attractive and vibrant community hub and should be responsive to the needs of surrounding neighborhoods. 1711.4

 

1711.5Policy FNS-2.1.2: Shopping Center Improvements

 

Improve the East of the River Park and Senator Square shopping areas at Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road as quality shopping areas. This area should function as a single, cohesive business and mixed use district rather than a series of disconnected shopping centers. 1711.5

 

1711.6Policy FNS-2.1.3: Minnesota Avenue Station Area Mixed Use Development

 

Encourage mixed use development including medium density multi-family housing around the Minnesota Avenue Metro station, recognizing the opportunity for “transit-oriented” development that boosts neighborhood businesses, reduces the need for auto commuting, and enhances the quality of the pedestrian environment along Minnesota Avenue. 1711.6

 

1711.7Action FNS-2.1.A: Financial Assistance for Small Businesses

 

Target the Senator Square and East of the River Park Shopping centers for District financial assistance, grants, and loans for façade improvements and small business development. 1711.7

 

1711.8Action FNS-2.1.B: Government Center

 

Complete the Government Center Office project, including the new headquarters for DOES and DHS, and the adjacent Metrorail parking garage. Undertake concurrent streetscape and landscape improvements to beautify this important gateway to Far Northeast and Southeast, improve pedestrian safety, and better connect the Metro station with the shopping district to the south. 1711.8

 

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.