Section 10-A1718. FNS-2.8 KENILWORTH-PARKSIDE

 

1718.1The upper reaches of the Anacostia River’s eastern shore include the communities of Kenilworth-Parkside, Mayfair Mansions, and Eastland Gardens. This area also includes Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Park, the Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Area, and wetlands and open space managed by the National Park Service. The Pepco Plant and the Benning Road Waste Transfer Station are located adjacent to this area on the north side of Benning Road. 1718.1

 

1718.2Kenilworth-Parkside was initially developed as low income housing in the 1940s. During the 1980s, the 464-unit public housing complex was touted by the federal government as a success story after property management responsibilities were transferred to the local tenant organization. Crime dropped dramatically, and the quality of life visibly improved. The area’s reputation as a testing ground for innovative housing policy continued through the 1990s. The public housing was sold and renovated and a “neotraditional town” was conceived on a 26-acre vacant site between Kenilworth and the Pepco Plant. About 100 affordable townhomes were constructed but most of the land remains vacant today. 1718.2

 

1718.3Over the next decade, buildout of the remaining area in Kenilworth- Parkside is expected. Plans call for some 1,500 units of new medium to high density housing, 250,000 to 500,000 square feet of office space, and 30,000 square feet of retail space. A reconstructed pedestrian bridge will connect this area to the Minnesota Avenue Metro station, making the area transit accessible for new residents and employees. 1718.3

 

1718.4The pedestrian connection will help achieve an important goal of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative in Far Northeast DC-improved access to the shoreline for the neighborhoods east of I-295. In addition to the Kenilworth-Parkside bridge, the creation of Marvin Gaye Park along Watts Branch, development of the Minnesota Avenue government center, and improvement of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue as a “great street” should all help unite the community on both sides of the freeway. 1718.4

 

1718.5Policy FNS-2.8.1: Kenilworth-Parkside Open Space improvements

 

Support federal efforts to improve and restore the Kenilworth Marsh, the Aquatic Gardens, and other parkland on the upper reaches of the Anacostia River. Coordinate these efforts with District plans to restore habitat and improve ecological conditions along Watts Branch and upgrade the Kenilworth-Parkside ballfield and recreation center. 1718.5

 

1718.6Policy FNS-2.8.2: Kenilworth-Parkside Transit Oriented Development

 

Support mixed-use residential, retail, and office development on the remaining vacant properties in the Kenilworth-Parkside neighborhood. Take advantage of this area’s proximity to the Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station and its relative isolation from the low-density single family neighborhoods to the east to accommodate medium to high density housing that is well connected to transit and the adjacent waterfront open space. 1718.6

 

1718.7Policy FNS-2.8.3: Density Transitions at Parkside

 

Provide appropriate height and scale transitions between new higher density development in the Kenilworth-Parkside neighborhood and the established moderate density townhomes and apartments in the vicinity. Buildings with greater heights should generally be sited along Kenilworth Avenue and Foote Street, and should step down in intensity moving west toward the river. 1718.7

 

1718.8Policy FNS-2.8.4: Buffering around Parkside

 

Maintain sufficient buffering, screening, and separation between new development at Kenilworth-Parkside and the adjacent Pepco plant and waste transfer station. 1718.8

 

1718.9Policy FNS-2.8.5: Parkside Access Improvements

 

Improve vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access to the Kenilworth-Parkside area. This should include improved horizontal clearance at the railroad crossings, safer pedestrian access ways, better signage, and improvements to the Kenilworth Avenue interchanges. 1718.9

 

1718.10Action FNS-2.8.A: Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan

 

Implement the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan recommendations for Kenilworth-Parkside, including new gateways at the intersection of Benning Road and Kenilworth Avenue and at Watts Branch. 1718.10

 

1718.11Action FNS-2.8.B: Kenilworth Parkside Small Area Plan

 

Include the Kenilworth-Parkside neighborhood in the Small Area Plan to be developed for the Minnesota Benning and Deanwood Metro station areas. 1718.11

 

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.