Harry S Truman Building Perimeter Security and Site Improvements
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Executive Director’s Recommendation Commission Meeting: September 8, 2016 PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER Perimeter Security Improvements 6541 Harry S Truman Federal Building United States Department of State NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER 2201 C Street, NW 1.34(38.40)44409 Washington, DC APPLICANT’S REQUEST SUBMITTED BY Final approval of site and building United States Department of State plans PROPOSED ACTION REVIEW AUTHORITY Approve with comments Federal Projects in the District per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d) ACTION ITEM TYPE Staff Presentation PROJECT SUMMARY The United States Department of State (DOS) has submitted final site and building plans for the perimeter security improvements at the Harry S Truman (HST) Building, located at 2201 C Street, NW. The Commission reviewed and approved the preliminary site and building plans at its October 1, 2015 meeting. The current submission addresses previous comments and develops further details associated with the stormwater management and landscape plan, refines the 23rd Street pocket park design and includes materials selection for hardscape, streetscape, the exterior of the D Street pavilion and guard booths. The final submission reflects the extensive coordination process that has taken place since 2004 between district and federal government agencies and the end result is an improved project that balances landscape, stormwater management, urban design, and strict perimeter security requirements to enhance the public space, and provide an attractive and welcoming pedestrian experience. The HST Building is the 2.5 million square-foot headquarters of the DOS, located on an 11.8-acre site. The site is bounded by 21st Street to the east, C Street to the south, 23rd Street to the west, D Street, the E Street Expressway ramp and Virginia Avenue to the north. The HST building was constructed in two separate phases, twenty years apart. The original portion, referred to as the “Marshall Wing,” was built in 1941 in a Stripped Classical architectural style to serve the War Department and encompasses the northeast quadrant of the HST Building. A significant L-shaped building expansion was completed in 1960 following the principles of the International Style. The expansion, referred to as the “New State,” occupies the remainder of the four-square-block site and wraps around the original building. The HST building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing element to the Northwest Rectangle Historic District. The American Pharmacist Association and the National Academy of Sciences are located directly to the south; the Old Naval Observatory is located to the west; the Federal Reserve Martin Building is located to the east; the Pan American Health Organization and the Retired Foreign Services Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 2 NCPC File No. 6541 Officers Club are located to the north. The site is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood within close proximity to George Washington University Campus, and adjacent to the National Mall. As an Interagency Security Committee (ISC) Level 5 facility, the HST building requires an increased level of protection. The plan’s objectives are to secure the building, protect employees and visitors, and improve the streetscape. The project entails relocating employee and visitor screening from the interior of the building to new security pavilions at four of the building entrances; providing guard booths for vehicular security screening; increasing the sidewalk width; developing a protective barrier system; relocating the existing truck inspection facility; realigning curbs to address vehicular standoff distances and significant landscape improvements, including low impact development (LID) features. The proposed perimeter security will replace temporary security barriers with permanent security measures to enhance the aesthetic appearance and reinforce the civic character of the context. The project will be implemented in two phases. The current submission includes final plans for Phase I of the project, which consists of a 4,935 square-foot staff and visitor security pavilion along D Street; perimeter security and landscape improvements throughout the site, including D, 21st, C, and 23rd Streets; an 8,564 square-foot pocket park for public use; and nine guard booths. Phase I construction is estimated to begin in the Spring of 2017 and completed in 2019. Phase II, which will be submitted at a future date, includes additional security pavilions at the 23rd Street, C Street, and 21st Street entrances; and restoration of adjacent lobbies to their original condition. Phase II is estimated to be completed in the Fall of 2022. The project incorporates sustainable stormwater management strategies to comply with federal requirements to the maximum extent technically feasible under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security act (EISA) of 2007, and local regulations contained in the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) Stormwater Management Guidebook of 2013. KEY INFORMATION On October 1, 2015, the Commission approved the preliminary site and building plans for the perimeter security improvements at the HST building and provided recommendations regarding landscape elements, protective barrier system, streetscape elements, and the 23rd Street pocket park. The final submission addresses the Commission’s recommendations and develops further details associated with stormwater management; landscape; public amenities; and identifies a materials palette for hardscape, streetscape, the exterior of D Street pavilion and guard booths. At its May 5, 2016 meeting, the Commission reviewed and approved the Transfer of Jurisdiction of Reservation 104 from the National Park Service to the Department of State for the purpose of relocating the existing truck inspection activities from 21st Street, NW to the proposed location at D Street, NW as noted during preliminary review. At its October 1, 2015 meeting, the Commission adopted the Department of State Finding of No Significant Impact for the Harry S Truman Building Perimeter Security Improvements Final Environmental Assessment; signed by DOS on August 27, 2015. Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 3 NCPC File No. 6541 A Programmatic Agreement (PA) among the DOS, GSA, DC SHPO, ACHP, NCPC and NPS was developed and executed on December 22, 2015. The purpose of the PA was to identify adverse effects on historic resources, stipulate mitigation measures, and prescribe a review process for all phases to ensure compliance with the concept plan. NCPC participated in five consulting parties meetings held between January 15, 2013 and June 19, 2015 which focused on the development of the PA and the recent changes to the design. The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) reviewed and approved the final design at its meeting on July 21, 2016. With its recommendation, CFA expressed no objection to the final design for the proposed perimeter security barriers, north screening pavilion, and streetscapes for the DOS headquarters in the HST building. CFA indicated that the final design conformed to the Commission’s previous approvals and recommendations. The final submission is the culmination of ongoing design efforts by the DOS to improve security and streetscape at the HST building and reflects years of coordination among district and federal agencies. The project will be one of the largest federal perimeter security with low impact development installations within the urban context in the district. The plan will significantly improve landscaping, streetscape amenities, and hydrology by reducing impervious areas by approximately 7 percent (0.31 acres), and replacing pavement with new planting areas. Unlike other Interagency Security Committee (ISC) Level 5 facilities, the proposed perimeter security would not restrict pedestrian and bicyclists from using the public space surrounding the HST Building. The proposed perimeter security and site improvements will protect a sensitive facility that houses the Office of the Secretary of State, foreign dignitaries, over 8,000 employees and 1,000 visitors each day. RECOMMENDATION Approves the final site and building plans for the perimeter security improvements at the Harry S Truman Building, located at 2201 C Street, NW. Commends the applicant for working closely with NCPC, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the General Service Administration and other federal and local government agencies to develop a design solution that balances strict perimeter security, landscape and stormwater management requirements to improve the public realm. Notes that any substantial changes to the perimeter security and site improvements plan, including but not limited to changes in the stormwater management, landscape, and streetscape plan are required to be submitted to the Commission for review in accordance with the National Capital Planning Act and NCPC’s Submission Guidelines. Notes that any improvements located in public space will require a public space permit and coordination with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) Office of Public Space Management, and therefore recommends that the Department of State (DOS) further Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 4 NCPC File No. 6541 coordinate with DDOT’s Public Space Committee to ensure that the proposed streetscape elements are consistent with the standards of the associated area. PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE Previous actions December 2, 2004 – Approval of comments on the concept design