Executive Director’s Recommendation Commission Meeting: October 6, 2016

PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER Rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7 at the 7650 Potomac Annex United States Institute of Peace NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER 2301 , NW 1.33(38.00)44427 Washington, DC APPLICANT’S REQUEST

SUBMITTED BY Final approval of site and building United States Institute of Peace plans

PROPOSED ACTION REVIEW AUTHORITY Approve as requested Federal Projects in the District per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d) ACTION ITEM TYPE Consent Calendar

PROJECT SUMMARY The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has submitted final site and building plans for the rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7 at the Potomac Annex, a federal property generally bounded by 23rd Street, Constitution Avenue, the E Street Expressway, and the E Street approach ramp to . Buildings 6 and 7 are located directly north of the USIP Headquarters Building near the of 23rd and C Street, NW.

In 2012, the United States Department of the Navy (Navy) transferred administrative jurisdiction of Buildings 6 and 7 to USIP. The Navy transferred the remaining portion of Potomac Annex, except three Navy flag officer houses and associated land, to the United States General Services Administration (GSA) for use by the United States Department of State (DOS). Buildings 6 and 7 are surrounded to the southeast and east by other federal properties and organizational headquarters, including the American Pharmacists Association Building, the Harry S Truman Building, and the National Mall. Buildings 6 and 7 are contributing resources to the Observatory Hill Historic District, determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

With the rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7, USIP plans to provide additional classrooms, office space, and event space for their employees and visitors. Specifically, rehabilitation of Building 6 will provide additional classroom and meeting space for the USIP Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. Building 7 will be used for collaboration space and workspace for the PeaceTech Lab. Modifications to the buildings will include interior reorganization, modernization of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and exterior additions to accommodate egress requirements. In addition, an elevated pedestrian walkway will be constructed between the USIP Headquarters Building and Buildings 6 and 7 to facilitate access and circulation among USIP facilities. Since the Commission’s preliminary review of the project in September 2015, one of the primary changes is that the former porch on the south side of Building 7 which was enclosed will be restored to an open porch. Along with the rehabilitation of

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the buildings, site improvements will include the removal of the existing asphalt-paved parking lot currently located between the buildings. In place of the parking lot, a terraced open space will provide additional gathering and recreational space. The design team is led by Cox Graae + Spack architects.

KEY INFORMATION • Building 6 and 7 were originally constructed as part of the Navy Medical School on Observatory Hill. Building 6 was constructed in 1908 and served as the Contagious Ward. Building 7 was constructed between 1908 and 1911 and served as the Male Nurses’ Quarters.

• Buildings 6 and 7 are contributing resources to the Observatory Hill Historic District, a district determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

• The project involves a full rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7, including the construction of an elevated walkway to physically connect the buildings to the USIP Headquarters Building. Site improvements include the removal of the existing parking lot between the two buildings and the introduction of a landscape plaza.

• Since the Commission’s preliminary review in September 2015, USIP has revised the project plans to include restoration of the porch on the south side of Building 7.

• GSA controls the portion of Potomac Annex/Navy Hill directly to the north and is currently developing a master plan for the campus (exclusive of Buildings 6 and 7 and the Navy flag quarters) for use by the United States Department of State.

RECOMMENDATION

The Commission:

Approves the final site and building plans for the rehabilitation of Building 6 and 7 at the Potomac Annex.

PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE Previous actions September 2015 – Preliminary approval

Remaining actions None (anticipated)

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PROJECT ANALYSIS

Executive Summary

The Commission approved the preliminary site and building plans for the rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7 in September 2015. The project will connect Buildings 6 and 7 to the USIP Headquarters Building and is consistent with policies in the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. In particular, the project meets the goals and objectives of the Preservation and Historic Features element as the proposed new construction and repairs are consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. This includes the landscape improvements, the arcade and elevated walkway, the two egress stair additions, and the entry portico alterations at both buildings. Since the Commission’s preliminary review, USIP has refined the design details and modified the plans to include restoration of the south porch at Building 7. The project also includes the removal of the asphalt parking lot and its replacement with a terraced open space which will have several benefits including a new usable open space for events, aesthetic improvement to the setting of Buildings 6 and 7, and reducing stormwater runoff. Therefore, staff recommends the Commission approve the final site and building plans for the rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7 at the Potomac Annex.

Analysis

Since the Commission’s preliminary review, USIP has refined the design, but the major components of the project and their locations have remained consistent. The overall composition of the project elements has not changed in that the architectural expression of the elevated walkway and stair additions is modern and contemporary, utilizing glass curtain walls. The mass, scale, and height of the stair additions have not changed since the Commission’s preliminary review. At Building 6, the stair addition within the existing recess on the south elevation will correspond to the footprint of the porte-cochere below. USIP completed a security and blast analysis since the Commission’s preliminary review and as a result the structure of the addition at Building 6 has increased in size. Though the structure has increased, the attachment of the new structure to the historic building will be executed in a sensitive manner to minimize impacts on historic fabric.

As a result of the blast analysis, USIP is proposing to restore the open porch on the south side of Building 7 rather than retain the porch as an enclosed space. Based on the historic drawings, a new railing will be installed, but the structure of the porch including the original wood columns will be retained. Restoration of the open porch is an improvement from a historic preservation perspective as the porch will be returned to its original configuration and use.

The plans for the landscape plaza that will replace the parking lot are consistent with the preliminary plans. During review of the preliminary plans, the Commission requested that USIP refine the configuration of the paved pathway located on the east end of the arcade roof. In response, USIP added a seating area at the east end of the arcade roof so that the pathway does not

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terminate at a dead end. The idea behind extending the pathway to the east end of the arcade is to allow for views to the USIP Headquarters Building including the atrium and entry.

Prior to the Commission’s preliminary review and during the Section 106 consultation, the Department of State (DOS) expressed concern that the proposed elevated walkway modified visitor screening procedures and that a fence would be required to secure the DOS portion of Potomac Annex. A fence or physical barrier that separates Buildings 6 and 7 from the remainder of the Potomac Annex campus is not ideal from a design and historic preservation perspective as it may potentially create a visual barrier and alter the spatial relationships of the Observatory Hill Historic District.

At the time of preliminary review, the Commission noted that DOS intended to construct a fence between Buildings 6 and 7 and the portion of Potomac Annex/Navy Hill to the north to meet DOS security requirements. The Commission also noted that the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding between USIP, DOS, and the General Services Administration includes a provision that the parties will consult on the nature, location, and appearance of any fence placed on property controlled by one of the parties. The Commission also advised that a permanent fence must be designed in a manner that is sensitive to the character and setting of the Observatory Hill Historic District.

Since the Commission’s preliminary review, DOS and USIP discussed operational solutions that would avoid physical improvements, but the two parties could not identify a mutually agreeable solution. Therefore, DOS will require a physical barrier or fence between Buildings 6 and 7 and the remainder of Potomac Annex. At this time, there is not an agreement between USIP and DOS on the location of the fence. The two parties are currently in discussions to identify alternative locations. The fence will likely be located on the portion of the property controlled by DOS/GSA and DOS/GSA will submit the plan and design for the fence for the Commission’s consideration in the future. NCPC staff advised DOS and GSA of the Commission’s previous action on the USIP project and that a fencing solution must be designed in a manner that is sensitive to the character and setting of the Observatory Hill Historic District.

CONFORMANCE TO EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES AND RELATED GUIDANCE

Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital

As noted above, the rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7 is consistent with the policies in the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. In particular, the project meets the objectives of the Preservation and Historic Features Element which promotes the adaptive reuse of historic properties. The Preservation and Historic Features Element also encourages additions to be compatible with the qualities and character of historic buildings and their settings, in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The project is also consistent with policies in the Federal Workplace Element which encourages the government to rehabilitate existing facilities before constructing new facilities and also locating offices within the District of Columbia.

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National Historic Preservation Act

NCPC is the lead federal agency responsible for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. NCPC initiated consultation with the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office (DC SHPO) on March 10, 2015. A Section 106 consulting parties meeting was also held in March 2015. Following the consulting parties meeting, USIP revised the project plans in response to comments received. In addition, following the Commission’s preliminary review, NCPC and USIP continued consultation with the DC SHPO and on August 31, 2016, the DC SHPO concurred the project would have no adverse effect on historic properties.

National Environmental Policy Act

NCPC is the lead federal agency responsible for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. At the time of the Commission’s preliminary review, NCPC staff determined the project met NCPC’s categorical exclusion §8(C)(21) of the Commission’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Policies and Procedures. This particular categorical exclusion applies to “Review and approval of acquisition of occupiable lease acquisition, construction or expansion, or improvement of an existing facility where all of the following conditions are met: (a) The structure and proposed use are in compliance with local planning and zoning and any applicable District of Columbia, state, or federal requirements; (b) The proposed use will not substantially increase the number of motor vehicles at the facility; (c) The site and scale of construction are consistent with those of existing adjacent or nearby buildings; and (d) There is no evidence of community controversy or other environmental issues.” In reviewing the final plans, NCPC staff confirmed that this categorical exclusion remains applicable.

CONSULTATION

Coordinating Committee

The Coordinating Committee reviewed the proposal at its September 14, 2016 meeting. The Committee forwarded the proposal to the Commission with the statement that it has been coordinated with all participating agencies. The participating agencies were: NCPC; the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office; the District Department of Transportation, the General Services Administration; the National Park Service and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the final plans for the project on September 15, 2016.

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ONLINE REFERENCE

The following supporting documents for this project are available online:

• Submission Package

Prepared by Jennifer Hirsch 09/28/2016

POWERPOINT (ATTACHED) NCPC File #: 7650

Rehabilitation of Buildings 6 and 7 at the Potomac Annex

2301 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC

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United States Institute of Peace

Final Site Location

2 Existing Conditions

3 Proposal

4 Building 6

5 Building 6

6 Building 6

7 Building 6

8 Building 6

9 Building 7

10 Building 7

11 Building 7

12 Building 7

13 Building 7

14 Elevated Walkway and Arcade

15 Arcade

16 Elevated Walkway and Arcade

17 Buildings 6 and 7

18 Building 7

19 Buildings 6 and 7 with Elevated Walkway

20 Courtyard

21