Executive Director’s Recommendation Commission Meeting: March 5, 2020

PROJECT NCPC FILE NUMBER National Gallery of Art Gallery Plaza North 8149 Renovations Constitution Avenue, NW & Pennsylvania NCPC MAP FILE NUMBER Avenue, NW 1.24(38.00)45072 Washington, DC APPLICANT’S REQUEST

SUBMITTED BY Approval of preliminary and final National Gallery of Art site development plans

REVIEW AUTHORITY PROPOSED ACTION Federal Projects in the District Approve preliminary and final site per 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1) and (d) development plans

ACTION ITEM TYPE Consent Calendar

PROJECT SUMMARY The National Gallery of Art has submitted an application for preliminary and final site development plans for the plaza area just north of the National Gallery East Building, along Constitution Avenue, NW, where is intersects with Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The Gallery Plaza North site is bounded by Constitution Avenue, NW to the west, Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to the north, 4th Street, NW to the east, and the National Gallery of Art’s West Building to the south. The Commission reviewed previous alterations to this plaza area in 2015. The current application proposes to complete the south edge of the triangular planter on the east side of the site (T3), which was untouched during the earlier construction in order to retain the elm trees on the site. In the intervening years, these trees have declined and will be replaced as part of the proposed project. The area of the site that will be impacted by the proposed work is limited to the south side of the T3 planter. The proposed site development alterations under this application includes the following: • Extending the granite curb that is on the west, north and south sides of the T3 triangle along the south edge; • Raising the grade to the height of the surrounding granite curb where the grade sloped downward from north to south to meet the base of elm trees that were preserved in 2015 (there will be a gradual slope to tie into the existing bioretention); • Adding the existing granite curb of the historic Constitution Avenue, NW within the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (PADC) brick sidewalk east of the T3 triangle, rather than continue at a higher elevation through the raised planter T3 (this is in keeping with the pattern established at the T1 and T2 triangles);

Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 2 NCPC File No. 8149

• Planting four new elm trees to replace the declining elm trees; and completing the irrigation system on the south side of the T3 triangle (this had not been possible with the existing elms and will ensure that the new trees thrive).

KEY INFORMATION • The National Gallery of Art is one of the world’s leading art museums, with a significant collection of American and European masterworks. • The mission of the Gallery is to serve the country by preserving, collecting, exhibiting, and fostering understanding of works of art for the American public. • The National Gallery of Art’s West Building was designed by John Russell Pope and completed in 1941; and the East Building, and the connecting link, was designed by I. M. Pei, and opened to the public in 1978. • The East Building houses and protects modern collections of paintings, works on paper, sculpture, textiles, and decorative-arts. In addition to the public galleries, the East Building incorporates the Study Center, a major national art research center serving the Gallery’s staff and visiting scholars. • The East Building is located on the National Mall and is a contributing building within the National Mall Historic District and is adjacent to the Pennsylvania Avenue Historic District. • The National Park Service transferred jurisdiction of the North Plaza property to NGA in 2012 with covenants that NGA maintain the property as an unimproved open space and landscape it in a manner consistent with the standards for the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site. • The Commission approved alterations to the North Plaza on July 9, 2015. • The proposed site plan will maintain an existing curb cut along Constitution Avenue that allows vehicles to access a loading area for the National Gallery West Building.

RECOMMENDATION The Commission:

Approves preliminary and final site plans for the National Gallery of Art’s North Plaza alterations. Finds that the National Gallery of Art’s alterations to the North Plaza are compatible with their historic context on the National Mall and on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Notes that the U.S. General Services Administration reviewed the proposal as a project pursuant to P.L. 104-134 and found that the project is consistent with the 1974 Pennsylvania Avenue Plan (the PADC Plan). NCPC staff reviewed the proposal against the PADC Plan and concurs with GSA’s determination.

Notes that any improvements in public space will require a public space permit and coordination with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation Public Space Committee.

Executive Director’s Recommendation Page 3 NCPC File No. 8149

PROJECT REVIEW TIMELINE Previous actions July 9, 2015 – Approved Preliminary and Final Site Development Plans.

Remaining actions – None. (anticipated)

PROJECT ANALYSIS The National Gallery of Art has submitted an application for preliminary and final site development plans for the plaza area just north of the National Gallery East Building, along Constitution Avenue where is intersects with Pennsylvania Avenue. The Gallery Plaza North site is bounded by Constitution Avenue to the west, Pennsylvania Avenue to the north, 4th Street to the east, and the National Gallery of Art’s West Building to the south. The area of the site that will be impacted by the proposed work is limited to the south side of the T3 planter. The Commission reviewed previous alterations to this plaza area in 2015. The current applicant includes some minor updates to the area. The proposed site development plans under this application includes the following: extending the granite curb that is on the west, north and south sides of the T3 Triangle along the south edge; raising the grade to the height of the surrounding granite curb where the grade sloped downward from north to south to meet the base of elm trees that were preserved in 2015 (there will be a gradual slope to tie into the existing bioretention); adding the existing granite curb of the historic Constitution Avenue within the PADC brick sidewalk east of the T3 Triangle, rather than continue at a higher elevation through the raised planter T3 (this is in keeping with the pattern established at the T1 and T2 Triangles); planting four new elm trees to replace the declining elm trees; and completing the irrigation system on the south side of the T3 Triangle (this had not been possible with the existing elms and will ensure that the new trees thrive). The existing design of Gallery Plaza North, completed in 2016, is inspired by analysis of the site and by the triangular geometries of the Gallery’s 4th Street Plaza and East Building. The current application proposes to complete the south edge of the triangular planter on the east side of the site (T3), which had remained untouched in the earlier construction in order to retain the elm trees on the site. In the intervening years, these trees have declined and will be replaced in the Gallery Plaza North. Brown PADC pavers are used along the Pennsylvania Avenue edge of the plaza and exposed aggregate concrete is used at the east-west sidewalk along the former Constitution Avenue as well as between the planters. These elements will not be altered. The granite curb that illustrates the historic route of Constitution Avenue will be continued on the east side of T3 and extend to 4th Street. In addition to being in view of the U.S. Capitol, the site serves as a visual and physical connection to the National Gallery of Art’s West and East Buildings and sits across the street from the

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Canadian Embassy – all properties with strong civic and historical associations. Current and proposed site elements, including paving, lighting, and trees, reflect design guidelines established by the PADC in its efforts to impose a common set of design elements along Pennsylvania Avenue and the District’s other monumental avenues, which are at the core of the L’Enfant Plan. Overall, the project components and alterations to the North Plaza are minor and in keeping with what was approved by the Commission in 2015. As such, staff recommends the Commission approves preliminary and final site plans for the National Gallery of Art’s North Plaza alterations; finds that the National Gallery of Art’s alterations to the North Plaza are compatible with their historic context on the National Mall and on Pennsylvania Avenue; notes that the U.S. General Services Administration reviewed the proposal as a project pursuant to P.L. 104-134 and found that the project is consistent with the 1974 Pennsylvania Avenue Plan (the PADC Plan), NCPC staff reviewed the proposal against the PADC Plan and concurs with GSA’s determination; and notes that any improvements in public space will require a public space permit and coordination with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation Public Space Committee.

CONFORMANCE TO EXISTING PLANS, POLICIES AND RELATED GUIDANCE

Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital

Staff has reviewed policies from the Urban Design, Historic Preservation, and Visitors & Commemoration Elements, and the analysis and recommendations are intended to support consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.

National Historic Preservation Act

Both the National Gallery of Art (NGA) and NCPC initiated Section 106 consultation independently with the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Officer (DC SHPO) and recommended that the proposed exterior improvements at the East Building of the National Gallery of Art would not cause adverse effect to historic resources. The DC SHPO concurred with the determinations of no adverse effect to historic properties by both NGA and NCPC in writing on February 20, 2020.

National Environmental Policy Act

The National Gallery of Art does not have a NEPA responsibility for this proposed work, however, NCPC does have an independent NEPA compliance responsibility. NCPC staff has determined that the proposed site alterations at the North Plaza of the East Building of the National Gallery of Art meet the criteria for Categorical Exclusions under NCPC’s NEPA regulations, particularly categorical exclusion (2) which applies to the approval of the installation or restoration of minor site elements, such as, but not limited to, identification signs, sidewalks, patios, fences, curbs, retaining walls, landscaping and trail or stream improvements.

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CONSULTATION

Coordinating Committee

The Coordinating Committee reviewed the preliminary and final design at its February 12, 2020 meeting. Without objection, the Committee forwarded the proposed preliminary and final site development plans to the Commission with the statement that the proposal has been coordinated with all participating agencies. The participating agencies were: NCPC; the District of Columbia Department of Transportation; the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment; the General Services Administration (GSA); the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office; the National Park Service; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. DCOP and DDOT requested additional information regarding land ownership to determine any need for review by the Public Space Committee. DOEE notes that the applicant should discuss with them the need for review, as an Erosion and Sediment Control plan may be required.

GSA reviewed the project as project pursuant to P.L. 104-134 and found that the project is consistent with the 1974 Pennsylvania Avenue Plan (the PADC Plan). NCPC staff reviewed the proposal against the PADC Plan and concurs with GSA’s determination.

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the application for alterations to the North Plaza on their Consent Agenda for their February 20, 2020 meeting.

ONLINE REFERENCE

The following supporting documents for this project are available online at www.ncpc.gov:

• Submission Package

Prepared by Lee Webb 02/11/2020

POWERPOINT (ATTACHED)

Gallery Plaza North Renovations

Constitution Ave NW & Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC

Approval of Preliminary and Final Site Plans

National Gallery of Art

1 NationalFebruary Capital 4, 2020 Planning | File: 8149 Commission File: 8149 Project Summary

Commission Meeting Date: March 5, 2020

NCPC Review Authority: 40 U.S.C. § 8722(b)(1)

Applicant Request: Approval of Preliminary and Final Site Plans

Session: Consent Calendar

NCPC Review Officer: Lee Webb

NCPC File Number: 8149 Project Summary: The National Gallery of Art has submitted an application for preliminary and final site developments plans in a plaza area just north of the National Gallery East Building, along Constitution Avenue where is intersects with Pennsylvania Avenue. The Gallery Plaza North site is bounded by Constitution Avenue to the west, Pennsylvania Avenue to the north, 4th Street to the east, and the National Gallery of Art’s West Building to the south. The area of the site that will be impacted by the proposed work is limited to the south side of the T3 planter. The Commission reviewed previous alterations to this plaza area in 2015. The proposed site development plans under this application includes the following: extending the granite curb that is on the west, north and south sides of the T3 Triangle along the south edge; raising the grade to the height of the surrounding granite curb where the grade sloped downward from north to south to meet the base of Elm trees that were preserved in 2015 (there will be a gradual slope to tie into the existing bioretention); adding the existing granite curb of the historic Constitution Avenue within the PADC brick sidewalk east of the T3 Triangle, rather than continue at a higher elevation through the raised planter T3 (this is in keeping with the pattern established at the T1 and T2 Triangles); planting four new Elm Trees to replace the declining Elm trees; and completing the irrigation system on the south side of the T3 Triangle (this had not been possible with the existing Elms and will ensure that the new trees thrive).

2 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Project Summary

The existing design of Gallery Plaza North, completed in 2016, is inspired by analysis of the site and by the triangular geometries of the Gallery’s 4th Street Plaza and East Building. The current application proposes to complete the south edge of the triangular planter on the east side of the site (T3), which had remained untouched in the earlier construction in order to retain the elm trees on the site. In the intervening years, these trees have declined and will be replaced in the Gallery Plaza North. Brown PADC pavers are used along the Pennsylvania Avenue edge of the plaza and exposed aggregate concrete is used at the east-west sidewalk along the former Constitution Avenue as well as between the planters. The granite curb that illustrates the historic route of Constitution Avenue will be continued on the east side of T3 and extend to 4th Street. In addition to being in view of the US Capitol, the site serves as a visual and physical connection to the National Gallery of Art’s West and East Buildings and sits across the street from the Canadian Embassy – all properties with strong civic and historical associations. Current and proposed site elements, including paving, lighting, and trees, reflect design guidelines established by the PADC in its efforts to impose a common set of design elements along Pennsylvania Avenue and the District’s other monumental avenues, which are at the core of the L’Enfant Plan. The National Gallery of Art has suggested the project qualifies for one NCPC’s CATEXs for NEPA, namely 2 and 6, related to minor site element improvements. In regards to Section 106, NGA has initiated consultation with the DC SHPO and anticipates a concurrence of no adverse effects to historic resources.

3 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Site Location

LocationLocation Map Map

4 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Project Background

5 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Gallery Plaza North Existing Views

6 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Gallery Plaza North Existing Conditions

7 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Gallery Plaza North Proposed Alterations

8 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Gallery Plaza North Proposed Alterations

9 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149 Gallery Plaza North Renderings

10 National Capital Planning Commission File: 8149