Section 10-A2400. OVERVIEW

 

2400.1The Upper Northeast Planning Area encompasses 8.7 square miles and includes about two-thirds of the District’s northeastern quadrant. The Planning Area’s western boundary is formed by North

Capitol Street (north of Rhode Island Avenue) and the CSX railroad tracks (south of Rhode Island Avenue), and its southern boundary is formed by Florida Avenue, Benning Road, and the Anacostia waterfront area. The northern/eastern border is Eastern Avenue at the District of Columbia line. These boundaries are shown in the Map at left. Historically, most of Upper Northeast has been in Ward 5. 2400.1

 

2400.2Upper Northeast is principally known as a residential community, with stable single family neighborhoods like Arboretum, Brookland, Woodridge, Queens Chapel, and Michigan Park. It also includes row house neighborhoods like Stronghold and Trinidad, and apartments and higher density housing in communities like Fort Lincoln, Edgewood, and Carver Terrace. 2400.2

 

2400.3The mix of uses in Upper Northeast is particularly diverse compared to other parts of the city. The Planning Area contains the largest concentration of industrial land uses in the District of Columbia, following the CSX rail lines north and east from Union Station. It includes three major institutions of higher learning-the Catholic University of America (CUA), Trinity University, and Gallaudet University-and numerous other institutions serving other missions. It includes two hospitals-Providence and the Hospital for Sick Children. It includes several large federal properties, including the Brentwood Postal Facility. It includes the corporate headquarters of Black Entertainment Television (BET) network, one of the city’s largest night clubs, a Federal Express distribution center, and the now vacant Hecht’s Warehouse facility. 2400.3

 

2400.4Upper Northeast is also home to the city’s fresh produce district, as well as dozens of small shops and local businesses along neighborhood commercial streets like 12th Street, 18th Street, and Rhode Island Avenue. Historically, the area had many more neighborhood shopping districts like these, but they have declined or in some cases disappeared entirely due to competition from larger auto-oriented and suburban-style shopping centers, including shopping centers in the District of Columbia. 2400.4

 

2400.5The Planning Area is especially well known for its large concentration of religious institutions, including the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. It contains numerous seminaries and ministries, some occupying park like settings with rolling lawns and historic buildings. The Franciscan Monastery and the homes of the Josephites, the Carmelites, and many other religious orders are located here. In addition to these historic institutions, the Planning Area also includes portions of the Fort Circle Parks and the historic Langston Golf Course. It is also the gateway to the National Arboretum. 2400.5

 

2400.6Several major arterial streets, including New York Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue, South Dakota Avenue, Bladensburg Road, Michigan Avenue, and Riggs Road cross the Planning Area. The Area also includes the Fort Totten, Brookland/CUA and Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail stations, served by Metro’s Red Line. The Metropolitan Branch Trail is being developed through this area, linking Upper Northeast neighborhoods to Downtown Washington. 2400.6

 

2400.7Upper Northeast neighborhoods are home to many lifelong Washingtonians and have a strong tradition of civic involvement. Civic associations, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, churches, block clubs and garden clubs are actively involved in discussions about the community’s future. Non-profit organizations such as the North Capitol and Brookland- Edgewood Family Support Collaboratives and the United Planning Organization also play an important role in community life. 2400.7

 

2400.8Upper Northeast shares some of the same challenges facing other parts of the District. The area’s poverty, crime, and unemployment rates are all above the city average. Schools are aging; some are significantly “under enrolled” and will probably be closed in the coming years. Many parts of the area lack access to open space, parks, and retail services. The area has a large population of seniors, many with special transportation, housing, and health care needs. The Planning Area also faces the challenge of an increasingly unaffordable housing market. A new generation of homeowners has “discovered” Upper Northeast-driving up prices and increasing housing demand. Between 2004 and 2005 alone, the median purchase price of a home in the two ZIP codes that encompass most of the Planning Area (20017 and 20018) increased 45 percent. The greatest future challenge will be to respond to change in a way that keeps Upper Northeast a socially, culturally, economically diverse community. 2400.8

 

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.