Section 10-A2017. MC-2.7 NORTH CAPITOL STREET/FLORIDA/NEW YORK AVENUE BUSINESS DISTRICT

 

2017.1The area around the North Capitol Street, New York Avenue and Florida Avenue intersections provides the commercial center for the surrounding Bloomingdale, Eckington, and Truxton Circle neighborhoods. The neighborhoods themselves are diverse in age, income, and ethnicity. They consist of a mix of row houses and small apartment buildings. Home prices in the neighborhood have tripled since 2000, and many long-time residents are feeling the pressure of gentrification. 2017.1

 

2017.2The commercial district itself is in need of revitalization. Although it was designated a DC Main Street in 2000, it suffers from a lack of neighborhood-serving businesses, high vacancies, crime, and inadequate access and parking. The North Capitol frontage is particularly challenged by a myriad of confusing and often congested intersections, and crisscrossing diagonal streets and triangles making pedestrian movement difficult. The District addressed these issues in a transportation study in 2004-2005, with the goal of improving vehicle flow and improving safety. The Study explored the feasibility of reconstructing Truxton Circle (at North Capitol and Florida), and identified specific short-term and long-term transportation, streetscape, and infrastructure improvements. 2017.2

 

2017.3The North Capitol commercial district is just a few blocks west of the New York Avenue Metro station and lies on the northern edge of the North-of- Massachusetts-Avenue (NOMA) district. Conditions on the corridor are likely to change dramatically as NOMA is redeveloped with offices and high-density housing. The commercial district is well situated to benefit from these changes, but first needs a strategy to address the needs of the residential community, manage traffic, upgrade the public realm, and improve public safety. 2017.3

 

2017.4Policy MC-2.7.1: North Capitol/Florida Business District

 

Upgrade the commercial district at Florida Avenue/North Capitol/New York Avenue, restoring vacant storefronts to active use and accommodating compatible neighborhood-serving infill development. 2017.4

 

2017.5Policy MC-2.7.2: Eckington/Bloomingdale

 

Protect the architectural integrity of the Eckington/Bloomingdale neighborhood, and encourage the continued restoration and improvement of the area’s row houses. 2017.5

 

2017.6Action MC-2.7.A: North Capitol Revitalization Strategy

 

Prepare a Small Area Plan/Revitalization Strategy for the North Capitol/ Florida Avenue business district, including recommendations for streetscape improvements, land use and zoning changes, parking management and pedestrian safety improvements, retail development, and opportunities for new housing and public services. 2017.6

 

2017.7Action MC-2.7.B: Conservation District

 

Consider the designation of the Eckington/Bloomingdale/Truxton Circle neighborhood as a Conservation District, recognizing that most of its structures are 80-100 years old and may require additional design guidance to ensure the compatibility of alterations and infill development. 2017.7

 

2017.8Action MC-2.7.C: North Capitol Transportation Study

 

Implement the recommendations of the North Capitol Street/Truxton Circle Transportation Study. 2017.8

 

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.