Section 10-A2100. OVERVIEW

 

2100.1The Near Northwest Planning Area encompasses the 3.9 square miles located directly north and west of Central Washington. It extends from Glover Archbold Park on the west to North Capitol Street on the east. Its northern boundary is formed by Whitehaven Parkway west of Rock Creek, and by Connecticut Avenue, U Street, and Florida Avenue east of Rock Creek. The southern boundary is formed by the Potomac River, the Central Employment Area, and New York Avenue (east of 7th Street). These boundaries are shown on the Map at left. Most of this area has historically been Ward 2, although in past and present times parts have also been included in Wards 1 and 5. 2100.1

 

2100.2Near Northwest is known for its historic architecture, well-established neighborhoods, lively shopping areas, and nationally recognized institutions. These features provide enduring reminders of the city’s growth, from the 18th century to today’s international city. The Georgetown Historic District, established in 1950 in response to the demolition of large numbers of waterfront and canal-related historic buildings, was the first historic district established in city. Today, more than half of Near Northwest is included in historic districts; historic landmarks are designated throughout the area with concentrations in Georgetown, on Washington Circle, within the campus of George Washington University, in Dupont and Logan Circles, and along Massachusetts Avenue. These designations include some of the oldest residential and commercial buildings in the city. 2100.2

 

2100.3The development pattern is one of the most dense in the metropolitan region. Near Northwest neighborhoods contain some of the most diverse housing stock in the District, varying from single-family homes to high-rise apartments. Townhouses and mid-rise apartment buildings dating from the mid 19th to early 20th centuries define the area’s residential neighborhoods; these are most prominent in Georgetown, Burleith, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Logan Circle, Shaw, and Mount Vernon Square. Kalorama principally consists of single family homes dating to the early 20th century. Large apartment buildings-many built during the 1920s and 1930s-are concentrated along major roadways including Connecticut Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue, and 16th Street. More contemporary high-density construction defines the West End and the 14th Street corridor, as well as riverfront communities like the Watergate and Washington Harbour. 2100.3

 

2100.4The area is well connected to other part of the District and region by mass transit, including the Red, Green, Orange, and Blue subway lines and multiple bus lines. Several parkways, highways, and interstates also pass though or are immediately adjacent to the area. These include Interstate 66, the Whitehurst Freeway, Canal Road, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, and the I-395/Center Leg Freeway. The overall street pattern reflects the L’Enfant Plan, with prominent diagonal boulevards bisecting a rectangular grid. 2100.4

 

2100.5Shopping areas in Near Northwest range from regional destinations like M Street in Georgetown to neighborhood commercial districts like 17th Street in Dupont Circle. The more prominent retail areas are on the major streets and avenues like Connecticut Avenue, 14th Street, and 7th and 9th Streets. There are smaller retail districts throughout the area, and corner stores in almost every residential neighborhood. While there are a limited number of neighborhood parks, the entire Near Northwest area is within one and a half miles of Rock Creek Park or the National Mall. 2100.5

 

2100.6Near Northwest is home to a number of institutions known both locally and nationally. Georgetown University, on a hill and somewhat removed from the activity of the city, has a number of Gothic buildings that establish an image of tradition. George Washington University, in Foggy Bottom at the edge of the Central Business District, is a much more urban campus. Museums and historic sites - like the Phillips Collection, Woodrow Wilson House, and the Mary Mcleod Bethune Council House-attract visitors from the region and across the country. 14th Street is home to the Studio Theater as well as other performing arts venues and galleries. Foreign embassies are concentrated along Massachusetts Avenue and in Dupont Circle and Kalorama. 2100.6

 

2100.7There are a number of local community and business associations that play an active role in shaping Near Northwest land use decisions. In addition to seven Advisory Neighborhood Commissions that represent residents from three Wards, there are many community associations and active groups with a specific focus. Some, like the Georgetown Partnership, work toward building a stronger business community. Others, like the Georgetown Citizens Association, the Foggy Bottom Association, the Logan Circle Community Association, and the Dupont Circle Conservancy have strong preservation programs. Others work directly with residents to create a higher quality of life. For instance, Shaw EcoVillage is training youth to be more effective leaders and catalysts for sustainable change in the District. 2100.7

 

2100.8This Planning Area has seen a modest increase in its population in recent years. The recent trend toward urban living - occurring in cities across the United States - has made this area increasingly desirable and has contributed to higher home costs. Increasing values in long sought-after neighborhoods like Georgetown, Kalorama, Foggy Bottom, West End, and Dupont Circle, has resulted in development activity moving east into Logan Circle, Shaw, and Mount Vernon Square. The strong real estate market has prompted many owners in these neighborhoods to renovate or sell their properties, leading to sharp increases in home prices and rents and a loss of affordable units. 2100.8

 

2100.9The most significant challenge facing the Near Northwest Planning Area is retaining the physical and social fabric of the community in the face of intense economic pressure. Parts of the area are still struggling to find the right balance between development and preservation. This struggle plays out in daily debates on physical planning issues like height, scale, and design, and on social issues relating to changing demographics and cultural values. Policies are needed to address a host of local issues; foremost among them are the preservation and production of affordable housing, strengthening opportunities for small and local businesses, and addressing the conflicts that inevitably result from the area’s highly diverse mix of land uses and densities. 2100.9

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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.