Section 10-A2013. MC-2.3 U STREET/UPTOWN

 

2013.1U Street and the adjacent Cardozo and Shaw neighborhoods are an important part of the city’s African-American cultural history. African Americans first settled in the neighborhood in the 1880s, capitalizing on new streetcar lines and the absence of residential segregation rules. By the 1920s, the neighborhood had become the center of African American life in Washington. Black-owned theaters, restaurants, night clubs, billiard parlors, and dance halls extended along U Street from 7th Street to 14th Street. During its heyday, legendary jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Pearl Bailey performed at U Street venues. Today, the neighborhood is home to the African-American Civil War Memorial and Museum, and an African-American Heritage Trail that commemorates important historic landmarks in black history. 2013.1

 

2013.2U Street has been in transition for the past decade. Some of the area’s historic venues have been restored, and a new generation of restaurants and nightclubs is emerging. Hundreds of new housing units have been added, particularly west of 12th Street. The neighborhood has become more socially, culturally and economically mixed. The downside of U Street’s success is that many of the long-time businesses, including basic services like barber shops and bookstores, are having difficulty paying the higher rents and taxes that have come with gentrification. Efforts to retain the street’s character must do more than just preserve its buildings; measures to retain and assist existing businesses are needed. 2013.2

 

2013.3In 2004, the District completed a Strategic Development Plan for the Uptown Destination District (called “DUKE”), focusing on the area along U Street between 6th Street and 13th Street and along 7th Street/Georgia Avenue between Rhode Island Avenue and Barry Place. The Plan proposes revival of these blocks as a cultural destination, anchored by a restored Howard Theater, new retail and entertainment uses along 7th and U Streets, outdoor performance space, and up to 800 new housing units on vacant and/or underutilized sites. Office and hotel uses also are discussed as possible uses, capitalizing on the proximity to Howard University. 2013.3

 

2013.4The confluence of a strong real estate market, an excellent location near Metro and Howard University, and the desire of several government agencies to develop their vacant properties, will catalyze this area’s redevelopment during the next decade. The DUKE Plan focuses on 16 publicly-owned sites, including sites owned by the District, WMATA, the Housing Finance Agency, and the Redevelopment Land Agency. It also addresses sites owned by Howard University and the private sector within the study area. As development takes place, continued efforts to improve the streetscape and public space, provide affordable housing, preserve historic buildings, and mitigate development impacts (particularly those associated with the increased concentration of restaurants, night clubs and entertainment uses) should be included. 2013.4

 

2013.5Policy MC-2.3.1: Uptown Destination District

 

Encourage the redevelopment of U Street between 6th Street and 12th Street NW, and Georgia Avenue/7th Street between Rhode Island Avenue and Barry Place NW as a mixed use residential/commercial center, with restored theaters, arts and jazz establishments, restaurants, and shops, as well as housing serving a range of incomes and household types. 2013.5

 

2013.6Policy MC-2.3.2: Uptown Subareas

 

Create a distinct and memorable identity for different sub-areas in the Uptown District, based on existing assets such as the Lincoln Theater, Howard University, the African-American Civil War Memorial, and the Howard Theater. 2013.6

 

2013.7Policy MC-2.3.3: Uptown Design Considerations

 

Ensure that development in the Uptown Area is designed to make the most of its proximity to the Metro Stations at Shaw and 13th Street, to respect the integrity of historic resources, and to transition as seamlessly as possible to the residential neighborhoods nearby. 2013.7

 

2013.8Policy MC-2.3.4: Cultural Tourism

 

Promote cultural tourism initiatives, public art, signage, and other improvements that recognize the African-American historical and cultural heritage of the Uptown area. Such initiatives should bring economic development opportunities to local residents and businesses, and establish a stronger identity for the area as a nationally significant African-American landmark. 2013.8

 

2013.9Policy MC-2.3.5: Parking and Traffic Management

 

Encourage the development of shared parking facilities in the Uptown area, better management of existing parking resources, and improved surface transit to manage the increased parking demand that will be generated by new development. 2013.9

 

2013.10Policy MC-2.3.6: Small Business Retention

 

Incorporate small business retention and assistance programs in the Uptown District’s revitalization, possibly including zoning regulations, tax relief, and other measures which assist small businesses as redevelopment along U Street, 9th Street, and 7th Street takes place. 2013.10

 

2013.11Action MC-2.3.A: Duke Development Framework Small Area Plan

 

Implement the DUKE Strategic Development Framework Plan to establish a destination-oriented mixed use development program for key vacant and existing historic sites between the historic Lincoln and Howard Theatres. 2013.11

 

2013.12Action MC-2.3.B: U Street/Shaw/Howard University Multi-Modal Transportation and Parking Study

 

Implement the recommendations of the U Street/Shaw/Howard University Multi-Modal Transportation and Parking Study to provided improved parking management, traffic safety and mobility, transit accessibility, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and streetscape design. 2013.12

 

See the Near Northwest Area Element for a discussion of the Shaw/ Convention Center Area Plan.

 

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.