Section 10-A2417. UNE 2.7 FORT TOTTEN METRO STATION AREA

 

2417.1The Fort Totten Station is served by the Metrorail Green and Red Lines. As the transfer point between two intersecting lines, the station area has strategic importance in plans for the District’s growth. Presently, Fort Totten is adjoined by large surface parking lots, industrial uses, and garden apartments. New residential development is taking place east of the station, and several conceptual development projects are under study. The station itself sits within the boundary of the Fort Circle Parks. Fort Totten Park, immediately west of the station, is an important DC historic site and contains the remnants of one of the most important civil-war fortifications in the Fort Circle chain. 2417.1

 

2417.2The large parcels owned by WMATA-located on the east and west sides of the station-present an opportunity for transit-oriented mixed use development. A strong emphasis should be placed on housing and local-serving retail uses on these sites, with an orientation to the station and connecting bus lines. Zoning in the area already permits medium density mixed use development, and the area has been slated for transit-oriented development in the Comprehensive Plan for more than 20 years. 2417.2

 

2417.3The “Y-intersection” of Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue is located about one-quarter mile northeast of the station. The Department of Transportation is currently redesigning the intersection to improve traffic flow, enhance conditions for pedestrians, and make more efficient use of the very large right-of-way. The intersection is currently missing basic amenities like sidewalks, curb cuts, and pedestrian signals, making it difficult to navigate on foot. These improvements are being coordinated with redevelopment planning for adjacent commercial and residential uses along Riggs Road, including the Riggs Plaza Shopping Center between 3rd Street NE and Chillum Place. 2417.3

The Fort

2417.4Policy UNE-2.7.1: Fort Totten Metro Station

 

Encourage the reuse of WMATA-owned land and other underutilized property in the immediate vicinity of the Fort Totten Metrorail station, focusing on the area bounded by the Fort Circle Parks on the west and south, Riggs Road on the north, and South Dakota Avenue on the east. This area is envisioned as a “transit village” combining medium-density housing, ground floor retail, local-serving office space, new parkland and civic uses, and structured parking. Redevelopment should occur in a way that protects the lower density residences in the nearby Manor South, Michigan Park, and Queens Chapel neighborhoods, and addresses traffic congestion and other development impacts. 2417.4

 

2417.5Policy UNE-2.7.2: Traffic Patterns and Pedestrian Safety

 

Improve pedestrian access to the Fort Totten Metrorail Station, with a particular emphasis on pedestrian and vehicle safety improvements at the South Dakota/Riggs intersection. 2417.5

 

2417.6Policy UNE-2.7.3: Municipal-Industrial Uses

 

Retain the established municipal-industrial land uses located to the south of the Fort Totten station (including the Trash Transfer Station on the west side of the station and salt dome on the east side). Guide future development in the vicinity of these activities in a way that does not impede their ability to function. 2417.6

 

2417.7Action UNE-2.7.A: Fort Totten Small Area Plan

 

Prepare an updated study of the Fort Totten/Riggs Road area to more precisely determine the mix of desired land uses; and to address transportation, parking, open space, urban design, and other issues related to the area’s future development. The study area for the Small Area Plan should include Riggs Plaza and the adjacent Riggs/South Dakota intersection. 2417.7

 

2417.8Action UNE-2.7.B: Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue Redesign

 

Reconstruct the intersection at Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety. Consider opportunities for new development, parkland, and community facilities on the excess right-of-way. 2417.8

 

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.