MEDIA RELEASE

November 6, 2020 Stephen Staudigl [email protected] or 202-482-7279

Julia Koster [email protected] or 202-482-7279

NCPC Approves Final Plans for Arlington National Cemetery’s Southern Expansion and U.S. Air Force Memorial Modification Commission Reviews Initial Project at the Foreign Missions Center

Washington, DC—At its November 5 online meeting, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved, with one exception, preliminary and final site and building plans submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with Arlington National Cemetery, for the cemetery’s Southern Expansion project. The project will expand the cemetery to the south by 70 acres and incorporate the U.S. Air Force Memorial into its secure grounds. This south parcel formerly housed the Navy Annex Buildings and their parking lots.

To facilitate this project, Columbia Pike, South Joyce Street, and Southgate Road, which currently cut through this piece of land, will be relocated as part of a related project (Defense Access Road realignment). Afterwards, the area north of the realigned Columbia Pike will house a new columbarium and committal service shelter, a large in-ground interment area, and supporting facilities (restrooms/storage). Other components include new landscaping, retaining and boundary walls, secure vehicular/pedestrian entry points, vehicle access roads, pedestrian walkways, and security measures. The area south of Columbia Pike will house a new cemetery operations complex and a visitor/employee parking deck.

Commissioners noted that the project will have several positive benefits, including adding contiguous space; consolidating cemetery operations and back-of-house functions away from visitor/interment areas; and improving the U.S. Air Force Memorial’s setting. They appreciated that the U.S. Air Force Memorial will be fully integrated into the cemetery and that the applicant addressed previous concerns, including pedestrian safety at the Columbia Pike crossing.

Commissioners were pleased with the overall design except for a new vehicular entrance gate at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Air Force Memorial Drive. The Commission did not approve this component and recommended several changes to improve its design. The applicant noted that they will look at options to remove the existing bollards and add a new gate system, and anticipate bringing this component back to the Commission in January or February.

“We are thrilled to see the integration of the U.S. Air Force Memorial with Arlington National Cemetery,” NCPC Vice-Chairman Thomas Gallas. “The design really evolved in a wonderful way.”

NCPC reviewed the first chancery project in the new Foreign Missions Center located on a portion of the former Walter Reed Medical Center campus in Northwest Washington, DC. In 2019, the Commission approved the final master plan for the center that the State Department uses to govern and lease development of sites. NCPC’s role in reviewing individual chancery proposals is guided by a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Department, signed in February 2017 and amended last month. NCPC review ensures that projects are consistent with the master plan and with six criteria list in the Foreign Missions Act (1982). NCPC decides to “not disapprove” or “disapprove” each project, language derived from the act.

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NCPC Media Release November 6, 2020 Page 2

Plans submitted by the State Department call for improvements to the Libyan Chancery, a two story building that used to be a Fisher House. Improvements include a guardhouse, driveway, gate, perimeter fencing, a temporary modular building at the rear of the site, and two canopies over existing entrances (parking lot and building rear).

The Commission found that the proposal was consistent with the Foreign Missions Center Master Plan, including the addition of a single entry off Dahlia Street. NW and provisions for safety and security for embassy personnel, and thus did not disapprove the proposed improvements.

The Commission provided feedback to the General Service Administration (GSA) on its concept plans for the 600,000 sq. ft Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Headquarters Building at the Department of Homeland Security’s consolidated headquarters on the St. Elizabeths West Campus. This is the first project on the campus following the Commission’s approval of a master plan amendment last month.

Commissioners commented favorably on the design approach for the LEED Platinum certified building, believing that it would integrate well into the landscape in a difficult location in a ravine. They thought the building provided a good balance between new construction that meets the agency’s needs with historic preservation, as a historic power plant and two smokestacks will be integrated into the building. Commissioners supported the simple roofline that would allow the building to blend into the setting on the topographic bowl and were pleased with the proposed addition of rooftop solar panels.

NCPC had several requests of the applicant for preliminary design, the next review phase. First, if GSA anticipates adding rooftop antennas, they should submit a rooftop antenna plan showing the proposed height and location of the antennas. The Commission also requested details about building materials, information about tree removal and replacement and how this will meet NCPC’s tree policies, a planting plan for the building’s east side that shows how views of the topographic bowl ridgeline will be preserved, and information on stormwater management.

Before adjourning, the Commission adopted an update to the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital’s Federal Environment Element’s Tree Replacement Policy and Submission Guidelines. The three policies updated (FE.G.1, FE.G.2, and FE.G.3) are within Section G and pertain to tree preservation and replacement with a focus on the preservation of existing trees (especially large stands of trees); procedures to replace trees when they are removed; and a goal to prevent a net loss of trees. Some of the key changes include placing a priority on tree preservation and offering alternatives (transplant, replace) if preservation cannot be achieved; incorporating the strengths of tree preservation and replacement standards of various local jurisdictions; and providing clear and concise guidance on tree replacement species, size, and location.

The NCPC Submission Guidelines were updated to describe in detail the information required for master plan and individual project submissions that will assist NCPC staff in developing recommendations, and the Commission in making decisions, related to tree preservation and replacement. Staff also prepared a new Resource Guide for project applicants that supports the updated policies, articulates NCPC’s legislative authorities related to tree preservation and replacement, explains key concepts, and provides definitions for terms used in the policies and Submission Guidelines.

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NCPC Media Release November 6, 2020 Page 3

The 2016 Federal Environment Element’s Section G policies related to tree preservation and replacement will remain in effect for 60-days after the publication of the Federal Register notice announcing the adoption of the revised element by the Commission. At that point the new policies will go into effect, with the exception of projects and master plans with previous Commission action. These will be reviewed using the 2016 policies.

This month’s agenda included six consent calendar items (no presentations were given): 1. Preliminary and final site and building plans for Freer Gallery of Art Courtyard Accessibility Improvements, 1050 Independence Avenue, SW. (8182) 2. Preliminary site development plans for a Virtual Circle at Florida and New York Avenues, NE, Intersection of Florida & New York Avenues, NE. (8227) 3. Final site and building plans for the National Institutes of Health Utility Vault and Parking Garage MLP-15, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland. (8207) 4. Preliminary site and building plans for the Smithsonian Institution Museum Support Center - Pod 6, Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland. (8220) 5. Preliminary site and building plans for the Humphreys Engineer Center Training Support Facility, 7900 John J Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (8225) 6. Preliminary site and building plans for the Humphreys Engineer Center Battalion Operations Facility, 7910 John J Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (8216)

The Executive Director approved ten items under authority delegated by the Commission. 1. Preliminary and final site and building plans for security upgrades and tenant improvements at the Department of Justice Patrick Henry Building, 601 D Street, NW. (P8068) 2. Preliminary site and building plans for phase II expansion at the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, 20 MacDill Boulevard SE. (8217). 3. Preliminary and final site development plans for a Capital Bikeshare Station at the Anacostia Park - Skating Pavilion, 1500 Anacostia Drive, SE. (8218) 4. Preliminary site development plans for the renovation and rehabilitation of Fort Lincoln Park, Fort Lincoln Drive, NE. (8223) 5. Preliminary site and building plans for the Fort Lincoln Park Community Center, 3100 Fort Lincoln Drive, NE. (8224) 6. Preliminary and final site and building plans for a parking garage on the St. Elizabeths East Campus’ Parcel 6, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE. (8226) 7. Preliminary and final site and building plans for replacement of the Smithsonian Institution’s Botany Greenhouse, 4222 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland. (8221) 8. Approval of a report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for a Text Amendment to Subtitles B, C, H, K, and U to require certain ground floor uses in self-service storage establishments, city-wide. (ZC 20-03) 9. Approval of a report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for a 1st-Stage and Consolidated Planned Unit Development and Related Map Amendment in Squares 1025-E & 1048-S and Reservations 129 & 299 - 1333 M Street, LLC, 1333 M Street, SE. (ZC 20-06) 10. Approval of a report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for a Map Amendment in Square 442, Lot 106, 1707 7th Street, NW. (ZC 20-16).

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