Section 10-A2016. MC-2.6 MCMILLAN SAND FILTRATION SITE

 

2016.1The McMillan Sand Filtration site occupies 25 acres at the corner of North Capitol Street and Michigan Avenue NW. Once used to filter drinking water from the Potomac River, the plant was closed and sold by the federal government to the District of Columbia for “community development purposes” in 1987. The site currently appears as an open area of grass and trees with two rows of enigmatic concrete towers covered with ivy. Beneath the surface are 20 unreinforced concrete filter cells, each one acre in size and in various states of disrepair. The entire site is considered historically significant. When the filtration system was created in 1905, it was considered an engineering marvel and a model for other plants nationwide. 2016.1

 

2016.2The McMillan site has been the subject of community forums for nearly 20 years. Many residents have advocated for a park on the site, noting its historic significance. In fact, the filtration site and the adjacent McMillan reservoir were part of the Emerald Necklace of parks conceived in the 1901 McMillan Plan, and the site itself was originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. Past proposals for the site have been the subject of lawsuits, and the former Comprehensive Plan designation of the site for mixed use development was itself the subject of a lawsuit in 1989-92. 2016.2

 

2016.3The District conducted planning workshops for the site in 2000 to explore potential new uses. Several options were considered, including a community park, a retail-hotel complex, and a mixed use residential-retail scenario. Each of the options dedicated a substantial portion of the site as parkland. In 2004, an unsolicited proposal to build 1,200 units of housing on the site was made by a private developer. In 2005, the site was transferred from the District to the National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC). NCRC is currently developing plans for the property. 2016.3

 

2016.4Whatever the outcome, several basic objectives should be pursued in the re-use of the McMillan Sand Filtration site. These are outlined in the policies below. 2016.4

 

2016.5Policy MC-2.6.1: Open Space on McMillan Reservoir Sand Filtration Site

 

Require that reuse plans for the McMillan Reservoir Sand Filtration site dedicate a substantial contiguous portion of the site for recreation and open space. The open space should provide for both active and passive recreational uses, and should adhere to high standards of landscape design, accessibility, and security. Consistent with the 1901 McMillan Plan, connectivity to nearby open spaces such as the Armed Forces Retirement Home, should be achieved through site design. 2016.5

 

2016.6Policy MC-2.6.2: Historic Preservation at McMillan Reservoir

 

Restore key above-ground elements of the site in a manner that is compatible with the original plan, and explore the adaptive reuse of some of the underground “cells” as part of the historic record of the site. The cultural significance of this site, and its importance to the history of the District of Columbia must be recognized as it is reused. Consideration should be given to monuments, memorials, and museums as part of the site design. 2016.6

 

2016.7Policy MC-2.6.3: Mitigating Reuse Impacts

 

Ensure that any development on the site is designed to reduce parking, traffic, and noise impacts on the community; be architecturally compatible with the surrounding community; and improve transportation options to the site and surrounding neighborhood. Any change in use on the site should increase connectivity between Northwest and Northeast neighborhoods as well as the hospital complex to the north. 2016.7

 

2016.8Policy MC-2.6.4: Community Involvement in Reuse Planning

 

Be responsive to community needs and concerns in reuse planning for the site. Amenities which are accessible to the community and which respond to neighborhood needs should be included. 2016.8

 

2016.9Policy MC-2.6.5: Scale and Mix of New Uses

 

Recognize that development on portions of the McMillan Sand Filtration site may be necessary to stabilize the site and provide the desired open space and amenities. Where development takes place, it should consist of moderate- to medium-density housing, retail, and other compatible uses. Any development on the site should maintain viewsheds and vistas and be situated in a way that minimizes impacts on historic resources and adjacent development. 2016.9

 

2016.10Action MC-2.6.A: McMillan Reservoir Development

 

Continue working with the National Capital Revitalization Corporation and adjacent communities in the development and implementation of reuse plans for the McMillan Reservoir Sand Filtration site. 2016.10

 

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.