1140 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 202.296.8625

MEMORANDUM To: Amanda Thomas Cushman & Wakefield Paul Samala Gensler Christine A. Roddy Goulston & Storrs

From: Tracy Jones-Schoenfeld Robert B. Schiesel, P.E. Daniel B. VanPelt, P.E., PTOE

Date: April 18, 2017

Subject: Middle East Institute – Comprehensive Transportation Review

INTRODUCTION This memorandum presents a Comprehensive Transportation Review (CTR) of the proposed expansion of the Middle East Institute (MEI), located at 1761-1763 N Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington, DC. This document was prepared in support of the project’s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) application. Figure 1 identifies the regional site location within the District, and Figure 2 identifies the location of the site in relation to the neighborhood. The site is currently improved with a three-story structure occupied by the Middle East Institute. The proposed project will retain the existing historic building along N Street NW and include a 10,787 square foot addition to the rear of the existing building, including a conference center and a language center, as approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board in November 2016.

In addition to traditional office work, the MEI also hosts regular language classes and conferences. The MEI currently has 25 full-time staff, and 15 teachers in the evening. The bulk of the events that the MEI holds includes talks and panels that are held over lunch time once a week, and range in size from 25 to 80 attendees. All language classes are hosted in the evening from 6:15pm – 8:45pm on Monday and Wednesdays or Tuesday and Thursdays. Classes are not offered during the work day, on weekends, or on Fridays. There is a maximum of seven (7) classes each evening with a maximum of seven (7) students in each class.

The proposed expansion will not significantly add to the number of staff or teachers on site, nor will it alter the way in which events and classes are scheduled. The majority of staff and attendees take transit, bike, or walk to and from the site, and are expected to continue to do so.

The site is located less than 0.2 miles from the Dupont Circle Metrorail Station which provides direct connection to areas in the District and Maryland along with interchanges to Virginia, as well as direct access to Union Station and the District core. Pedestrian facilities near the site provide excellent connections to transit and other destinations. The presence of numerous bike facilities near the site will increase the use of non-vehicular travel modes to and from the site.

The purpose of this memorandum is to:

▪ Provide a summary of the proposed development program, including existing site conditions and details on the proposed expansion plans.

Board of ZoningBoard Adjustment of Zoning Adjustment Transportation Planners and Engineers District of ColumbiaDistrictwww.goroveslade.com of Columbia CASE NO.19500 Case No. 19500 EXHIBIT NO.32 32 Middle East Institute BZA – Comprehensive Transportation Review Page 2 April 18, 2017

▪ Review the major transportation elements of the site plan, namely a review of pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the vicinity of the site; a review of transit facilities near the site; and parking accommodations, including curbside management and a review of available public parking near the site.

▪ Provide a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan, for staff and employees.

▪ Provide a Large Events Transportation plan, for events that have an attendance that exceeds 100 individuals.

The following conclusions were made regarding the proposed expansion of the Middle East Institute:

▪ The site is surrounded by an extensive network of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities that results in an excellent environment for safe and effective non-auto transportation;

▪ Given the site’s excellent access to numerous modes of transportation, minimal vehicular parking is anticipated to be necessary to serve the programmatic needs of the development;

▪ The amount of parking generated by the expansion can easily be accommodated in the public parking supply in parking garages close to the building;

▪ The planned expansion of the Middle East Institute will not significantly alter the number of staff or the way in which events are held under existing conditions. Site access, trip generation, and parking demand are anticipated to remain the same as they are under existing conditions; and

▪ A robust TDM plan will encourage non-auto use by employees and visitors of the Middle East Institute, further reducing the needs to provide on-site parking.

EXISTING CONDITIONS This section provides a review of the existing transit, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities in the vicinity of the site. The site is served by several public transportation sources, including Metrorail, Metrobus, and the DC Circulator bus system. The project site is also served by a pedestrian network consisting of sidewalks and crosswalks along the streets surrounding the project site. Additionally, the site is served by an on-street bicycle network, consisting of bike lanes, shared lanes, and signed bicycle routes.

Transit The development is well-served by numerous public transit options in close proximity to the site. Local transit services that provide access to the Middle East Institute site include Metrorail, Metrobus, and the DC Circulator. These services are operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and DDOT. WMATA operates Metrorail, the nation’s second largest heavy rail transit system, as well as Metrobus, the nation's fifth largest bus network. DDOT and WMATA collaborate to operate the DC Circulator, a system of six (6) bus lines that provide frequent service and low fares throughout the city.

The Dupont Circle Metrorail Station is located 0.2 miles from the development and is served by the Red Line, which provides direct connections to areas in the District and Maryland along with interchanges to Virginia. The Red Line connects Shady Grove with Glenmont while providing access to the District core in a “U” shape. Red Line trains run approximately every three to six minutes during the morning and afternoon peak hours. The Red Line runs about every 12 minutes during weekday non- peak hours, every 15-18 minutes on weekday evenings after 9:30 pm and 12 to 15 minutes on the weekends.

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Middle East Institute BZA – Comprehensive Transportation Review Page 3 April 18, 2017

Additionally, the Farragut West Metrorail Station is located 0.5 miles from the development and is served by the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. The Blue Line travels north from Springfield, VA to Rosslyn then continues east to Largo, MD. Trains run approximately every 12 minutes during the morning and afternoon peak periods. They run about every 12 minutes during weekday non-peak periods, every 20 minutes on weekday evenings after 9:30pm, and every 12-20 minutes on weekends. The Orange Line travels east from Fairfax, VA to New Carrollton, MD. Trains run approximately every 6 minutes during the morning and afternoon peak periods. They run about every 12 minutes during weekday non-peak periods, every 20 minutes during weekday evenings after 9:30pm, and every 12-20 minutes on weekends. The Silver Line travels east from Reston, VA to Largo, MD. Trains run approximately every 6 minutes during the morning and afternoon peak periods, every 12 minutes during weekday non-peak periods, every 20 minutes during weekday evenings after 9:30pm, and every 12-20 minutes on weekends.

Figure 3 identifies the major transit routes, stations, and stops in the study area. Seventeen (17) bus routes are located within a quarter-mile walk from the site. Five (5) bus stops serving these routes are located within a quarter-mile of the site, with two (2) of the stops located within one block of the site. Table 1 shows a summary of the bus route information for the lines that serve the study area, including service hours and headways.

Table 1: Bus Route Information Route Line Name Service Hours Headway Number Monday – Saturday: 4:30 am – 3:00 am 42,43 10-30 min Sunday: 4:30 am – 1:00 am Weekdays: 7:10AM – 9:42AM 8-10 min D1 Glover Park – Franklin Square Line 4:40PM – 7:18PM 30 min Weekdays: 5:34AM – 1:41AM 10-40 min D2 Glover Park – Dupont Circle Line Saturday: 6:33AM – 1:52AM 20-40 min Sunday: 6:47AM – 12:19AM 20-30 min Weekdays: 4:10AM – 2:42AM 15-30 min D6 Sibley Hospital – Stadium-Armory Line Saturday: 4:45AM – 2:14AM 30-45 min Sunday: 5:15AM – 1:19AM 30-40 min Monday – Saturday: 5:10 am – 1:25 am G2 P Street-LeDroit Park Line 15-30 min Sunday: 6:30 am – 12:20 am Weekdays: 6:30 am – 9:00 am H1 Brookland-Potomac Park Line 30 min 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm Weekdays: 5:00 am – 12:15 am L1,L2 Connecticut Avenue Line Saturdays: 5:45 am – 1:00 am 10-30 min Sundays: 6:00 am – 1:00 am Monday – Saturday: 5:10 am – 1:25 am N2,N4,N6 Massachusetts Avenue Line 15-30 min Sunday: 6:30 am – 12:20 am Northbound: 5:42 am – 10:04 am 10-15 min S1 16th Street-Potomac Park Line Southbound: 3:58 pm – 7:42 pm 10-15 min Weekdays: 4:40 am – 3:00 am 5-20 min S2,S4 Saturdays: 4:15 am – 2:54 am 10-15 min Sundays: 4:33 am – 1:40 am 10-15 min Weekdays: 7:10AM – 9:42AM 8-10 min S9 16th Street Limited Line 4:40PM – 7:18PM 30 min DC Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 am - 12:00 am Dupont Circle-Georgetown-Rosslyn Line 10 min Circulator Friday and Saturday: 7:00 am - 3:30 am

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Middle East Institute BZA – Comprehensive Transportation Review Page 4 April 18, 2017

Bicycle Facilities The site is well connected to existing on-street bicycle facilities. East-west connectivity is provided via bike lanes on L Street, M Street, N Street, and Q Street. North-south connectivity is provided via bike lanes on New Hampshire Avenue and 17th Street, on shared lanes on 18th Street, as well as a signed route on 19th Street. Figure 4 illustrates the existing bicycle facilities in the area.

In addition, the Capital Bikeshare program has placed over 400 bike share stations across Washington, DC, Arlington and Alexandria, VA, Montgomery County, MD, and most recently Fairfax, VA with more than 3,500 bicycles provided. Figure 4 identifies existing station locations in the study area. Within a quarter-mile of the site, there are five Bikeshare locations that house a total of 121 bikes.

Walcscore.com is a website that provides scores and rankings for the walking, biking, and transit conditions for specific locations. The project site has a bike score of 91 out of 100 (a "biker's paradise") based on its proximity to roadways with bike lanes and relatively flat topography.

Pedestrian Facilities The existing pedestrian infrastructure surrounding the site provides an excellent walking environment. There are sidewalks on both sides of the street along pedestrian routes in the vicinity of the site. The presence of on-street parking along one or both sides of many roadways in the site vicinity act as a buffer between the sidewalk and the travel way. Sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps in the vicinity of the site meet guidelines set forth by DDOT’s Public Real Design Manual in addition to ADA standards. Overall the site is located in a well-connected pedestrian network.

According to Walkscore.com, the project site has a walk score of 99 out of 100 (a “walker’s paradise”) based on its proximity to transit, amenities, and popular destination.

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Figure 1: Regional Location

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Figure 2: Site Location

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Figure 3: Existing Transit Service

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Figure 4: Existing Bicycle Facilities

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DESIGN REVIEW This section provides an overview of the transportation features of the proposed expansion of the Middle East Institute. The site is currently improved with a three-story structure occupied by the Middle East Institute. The proposed project will retain the existing historic building along N Street NW and include a 10,787 square foot addition to the rear of the existing building, including a conference center and a language center, as approved by the Historic Preservation Review Board in November 2016. The project will provide one (1) on-site parking space that is accessed via the public alley to the north of the site, as well as eight (8) short-term bicycle parking spaces that will be placed along N Street along the frontage of the site and two (2) secure long-term bicycle parking spaces under the covered rear patio. Figure 5 shows the proposed site plan.

Staff

The proposed expansion will not significantly add to the number of staff or teachers on site. Under existing conditions, the MEI has 25 full-time staff, and 15 teachers in the evening. The proposed expansion will allow for some future growth including up to seven (7) summer interns and a 5-10% increase in scholars. Based on information provided by the Applicant, under existing conditions the majority of staff take transit, bike, or walk to and from the site, with only about five (5) staff that drive.

Events and Classes

The proposed expansion will not alter the way in which events and classes are scheduled (currently these are held both on- and off site. With the planned expansion, they will be all on-site except when noted):

• On average, MEI hosts one (1) public event per week. On average they range from 25 to 50 to 80 attendees. These events always occur over lunch from 12:00-1:30pm, during the work week (Monday-Friday).

• Some of the lunch time events are by invitation only and result in a smaller attendance of 12-25 people. Private events with invite only are rarely hosted at the end of the work day. If they do not occur during lunch, they typically occur during the work day.

• MEI has ½ day or full day events for 120 attendees. These occur once (1) per quarter during the work day and during the work week.

• MEI also has fundraiser events and artist talk events for 120 attendees. These are approximately two (2) per quarter in evening during the week; however, many are co-sponsor events that are hosted off site.

• The largest events each year for their annual conferences are hosted off site in rented space at a hotels and will continue to be hosted offsite.

• All language classes are hosted in the evening from 6:15pm – 8:45pm on Monday & Wednesdays or Tuesday & Thursdays. Classes are not offered during the work day, on weekends, or on Fridays. There is a maximum of seven (7) classes each evening with a maximum of seven (7) students in each class.

Parking Under Zoning Regulations the development is required to provide nine (9) off-street parking spaces for the addition. The Applicant is seeking relief for the requirements set forth by District zoning for parking. There is one (1) existing on-site parking space, which will be retained, but no additional parking will be provided as a result of the development. As the site includes a historic building that occupies the entirety of its frontage along N Street NW, it is not feasible to provide parking, or access to parking, from N Street. Although the site has frontage along an alley to the north, which provides access to the existing

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Middle East Institute BZA – Comprehensive Transportation Review Page 10 April 18, 2017 on-site parking space, an existing structure occupies the majority of the site’s frontage along the alley. Given these physical constraints and the historic nature of the existing development, it is only feasible to provide the one (1) existing on-site parking space.

Off-Street Public Parking

There are several public parking garages in close proximity to the site. There are seven (7) parking garages within a quarter- mile of the site that offer daily and monthly parking. These parking garages contain a total of approximately 730 spaces, nearly half of which are located in garages within one block of the site. The location of each garage is shown in Figure 6 and the hours and capacity of each garage are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of Nearby Parking Facilities Location Distance from Site Hours Capacity (Approx.) 1717 Rhode Island Avenue NW < 0.1 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-7:00PM 69 spaces Saturday, 6:30AM-7:00PM Sunday, 7:00AM-7:00PM 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW < 0.1 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-7:00PM 122 spaces 1250 Connecticut Avenue NW < 0.1 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-7:00PM 153 spaces 1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW 0.1 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-11:00PM 244 spaces 1325 18th Street NW 0.1 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-7:00PM 29 spaces Saturday. 6:00PM-3:00AM

1776 Massachusetts Avenue NW 0.2 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-7:00PM 37 spaces

1326 18th Street NW 0.2 miles Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-11:00PM 76 spaces Total Capacity: approx.730 spaces

Any parking demand generated by the proposed expansion can be met by the ample amount of public parking options near the site.

Curbside Management

A review of the existing curbside management was conducted, and is shown in Figure 7. This review concluded that on-street parking within the near vicinity of the site, almost all of which is metered parking, provides additional parking options for motorists looking to access the site on top of the abundant off-street parking options available.

Under existing conditions there are approximately 53 parking spaces along N Street, all of which are metered spaces (2hr max, M-F 7:00AM-6:30PM), as well as three (3) 20-foot loading zones and one (1) 35-foot loading zone. Along Massachusetts Avenue there are approximately 29 parking spaces, all of which are metered (2hr max, M-F 7:00AM-6:30PM) and include afternoon rush hour (4:00PM-6:30PM) restrictions for parking on the north side and morning (7:00AM-9:30AM) and afternoon rush hour restrictions on the south side. Six (6) of these spaces near the site are currently under construction. Along 18th Street there are approximately 13 parking spaces, all of which are metered (2hr max, M-F 7:00AM-9:30AM) and include afternoon rush hour restrictions for parking on the east side and morning and afternoon rush hour restrictions for parking on the west side. Along 17th Street there are approximately 14 parking spaces, all of which are metered (2hr max, M- Sat, 7:00AM-6:30PM, 3.5hr max Mon-Sat, 6:30PM-10:00PM) and include morning and afternoon rush hour restrictions. Two (2) of these spaces are currently under construction. Along Rhode Island Avenue there are approximately 50 parking spaces, including 12 motorcycle parking spaces, all of which are metered (2hr max, M-F 7:00AM-9:30AM) and include morning and

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Middle East Institute BZA – Comprehensive Transportation Review Page 11 April 18, 2017 afternoon rush hour restrictions. Five (5) of these spaces are currently under construction. There are an additional approximately four (4) parking spaces that restrict parking to Saturday, 4:30PM-10:00PM and Sunday, 6:00AM-10:00PM. Along Connecticut Avenue, there are approximately six (6) parking spaces, all of which are metered (2hr max, M-F 7:00AM- 9:30AM) and include morning and afternoon rush hour restrictions).

Valet Operations

The Applicant has stated that under existing conditions there has not been a need for valet services at events, nor do they expect the need for future events. In the event that the MEI decides that valet parking would be needed at one of its on-site events, the Applicant will apply for an Event Venue Valet Permit through the Public Space process.

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Figure 5: Site Plan

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Figure 6: Nearby Parking Facilities

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Figure 7: Existing Curbside Management

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Bicycle Facilities Under existing conditions there are no short-term bicycle parking spaces near the site. The project will include eight (8) short- term bicycle parking spaces at street level along the frontage of the site on N Street, as required by Zoning. These short-term spaces will include inverted U-racks placed in high-visibility areas. The Applicant is working in conjunction with DDOT to select locations for the racks in public space.

Under Zoning Regulations the development is required to provide two (2) long-term bicycle parking spaces. The Applicant is seeking relief for the requirements set forth by District zoning for long-term bicycle parking. Long-term bicycle parking spaces are required to be provided indoors, and given the limited space available in the project, the Applicant cannot accommodate the inclusion of two (2) indoor long-term bicycle spaces; However, the Applicant will provide four (4) secure long-term bicycle parking spaces in under the covered rear patio, two (2) more than required by Zoning.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) TDM is the application of policies and strategies used to reduce travel demand or to redistribute demand to other times or spaces. TDM typically focuses on reducing the demand of single-occupancy, private vehicles during peak period travel times or on shifting single-occupancy vehicular demand to off-peak periods. TDM plans implemented for private developments reduce the demand on public parking and contribution to traffic congestion by incentivizing usage of other modes of transportation. TDM’s importance within the District is highlighted within section T-3.1 of the DC Comprehensive Plan, where it has its own dedicated section including TDM policies and actions.

Proposed TDM Plan Based on the DDOT expectations for TDM programs, success with other TDM programs for similar development sites, and analyzing the specific attributes of the development site, the following outlines the proposed TDM plan for the Middle East Institute:

▪ Transportation Management Coordinator (TMC) Effective TDM programs require a coordinator to implement and manage them. An employee of the Institute would be a point of contact and would be responsible for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring the TDM strategies. This would include the development and distribution of information and promotional brochures to employees regarding transportation facilities and services including transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities and linkages. The contact information for the TMC would be provided to DDOT/Zoning Enforcement with annual contact updates.

▪ On-Site Services The TMC will make printed materials related to local transportation alternatives available to employees upon request.

▪ Bicycle Amenities The Applicant will provide short-term bicycle parking spaces along the perimeter of the site and long-term space under the covered rear patio. The marketing program will include brochures on bicycling in the District and for Capital Bikeshare.

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▪ SmartBenefits The Applicant will offer SmartBenefits to all its employees, regardless of the level of employment (part-time/full- time).

▪ Ride-matching/Carpooling The Applicant will provide ride-matching services to facilitate setting up carpools for students and staff.

▪ Electronic Screen The Applicant will install a Transportation Information Center Display (electronic screen) within the lobby of the building. This will contain real-time information related to local transportation alternatives, informing staff and attendees of classes and events of the many transit options, such as Metrorail and Metrobus, as well as information on the Capital Bikeshare and the many Bikeshare stations that are located in close proximity to the site.

Event Transportation Demand Management Plan In addition to TDM targeted at employees, the MEI will also include TDM strategies for visitors, as follows:

▪ Transportation Related Information The TMC will ensure that information regarding how to get to and from the site via non-auto means is distributed alongside any event or class invite/sign-up. This will include information on how to access the site via the many transit options, such as Metrorail and Metrobus, as well as information on the Capital Bikeshare and the many Bikeshare stations that are located in close proximity to the site. Information will be provided in such a way to encourage attendees to arrive and depart via transit, bicycle, or foot. Information regarding public parking options in nearby garages will also be included, to discourage visitors from circling the block looking for curbside parking, but it will not be as prominent as the non-automobile modes of information.

▪ Valet Parking The Applicant has stated that under existing conditions there has not been a need for valet services at events, nor do they expect the need for future events. In the event that the MEI decides that valet parking would be needed at one of its on-site events, the Applicant will apply for an Event Venue Valet Permit through the Public Space process. If valet parking occurs, it is only anticipated it would be needed for events with over 100 attendees.

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