Executive Committee Findings and Strategies Summary May 2018 Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative Executive Committee Marcel Acosta, Executive Director, National Capital Planning Commission Anthony Costa, Senior Advisor, General Services Administration Karen Cucurullo, Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks, National Park Service Peter May, Associate Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park Service Andrew Trueblood, Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Mina Wright, Director, Office of Planning & Design Quality, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration Sam Zimbabwe, Chief Project Delivery Officer, District Department of Transportation The National Capital Planning Commission led development of the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative Executive Committee’s Findings and Strategies Summary. The Executive Committee acknowledges and thanks the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the DC Office of Planning, and the District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office for their collaborative efforts. The National Capital Planning Commission works with federal agencies as it seeks GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, to preserve and enhance the extraordinary historical, cultural, and natural resources technology and other mission-support services across Government. and federal assets of the National Capital Region to support the needs of the federal government and enrich the lives of the region’s visitors, workers, and residents. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration (DMPED) assists the Mayor in the coordination, planning, supervision, and of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend execution of economic development efforts in the District of Columbia the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation with the goal of creating and preserving affordable housing, creating jobs, throughout this country and the world. and increasing tax revenue. DMPED pursues policies and programs that create strong neighborhoods, expand and diversify the local economy, and provide residents with pathways to the middle class. DDOT enhances the quality of life for District residents and visitors by ensuring that people, goods, and information move efficiently and safely, with minimal adverse impact on residents and the environment. Executive Committee Findings and Strategies Summary | Table of Contents This document summarizes the Executive Introduction 2 Committee’s goals and strategies to shape a A. Background future vision for Pennsylvania Avenue and its role in the capital city. Based on the research and findings, it includes a framework of strategies that include short-, mid-, and long- Planning Approach 4 term activities to improve the Avenue. A. Goals 2 B. Moving Forward Unless otherwise noted: C. Strategies › All streets are located in the northwest D. Progress on the Avenue (NW) quadrant of Washington, DC. › All images were taken by the National Capital Planning Commission. Research and Analysis Summary 12 › A glossary of terms, acronyms and A. Background abbreviations, end notes and credits are B. Issues provided in the Appendix. C. Strengths D. Findings | Character & Identity, Mobility & Pedestrian Connectivty, and Economic Health Appendix 24 Introduction 1 Introduction DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON StudyLEGEND Area CAPITAL ONE LEGEND ARENA INITIATIVE BOUNDARY 13TH STREET F STREET 12TH STREET 1 11TH STREET PADC WHITE BOUNDARY HOUSE 2 3 WARNER JUDICIARY SQUARE 4 THEATRE 11 12 5 6TH STREET 8TH STREET 14TH STREET E STREET 38 6 7 13 14 15 8 16 5TH STREET 4TH STREET 9 37 36 10TH STREET 35 7TH STREET D STREET 10 9TH STREET 33 17 19 20 DEPARTMENT OF 32 INDIANA AVENUE PRESIDENT’S PARK 18 LABOR 34 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE 21 C STREET 30 15TH STREET 22 23 31 24 29 25 28 26 CONSTITUTION AVENUE 27 CONSTITUTION AVENUE MADISON DRIVE 3RD STREET WASHINGTON U.S. CAPITOL THE NATIONAL MALL MONUMENT 4TH STREET GROUNDS * The Treasury Building, while within the 1974 PADC boundary, has a streetscape design consistent with President’s Park, an NPS unit separate from Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site. DEPARTMENT OF 1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE 401 9TH STREET & 701 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE JOHN MARSHALL PARK INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 1 8 13 19 25 31 35 RONALD REAGAN BUILDING TREASURY BUILDING* (EVENING STAR BUILDING) 400-422 8TH STREET (RESIDENCES AT MARKET SQUARE) BUILDING (IRS) AND INTERNATIONAL E. BARRETT PRETTYMAN COURT- TRADE CENTER 2 W HOTEL 1001 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE 405-435 8TH STREET & 26 9 14 20 625 INDIANA AVENUE & HOUSE (U.S. DISTRICT COURT) 32 TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL 406-480 7TH STREET 325 7TH STREET JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING 3 THE WILLARD HOTEL (FORMERLY OLD POST OFFICE 36 10 J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING 15 407-425 7TH STREET 27 MELLON FOUNTAIN BUILDING AND TOWER) (DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 21 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE GOVERNMENT) 4 MARRIOTT HOTEL (FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION) (THE PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENCES) 16 601 D STREET & 600 E STREET 28 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 37 HERBERT C. HOOVER BUILDING 5 NATIONAL THEATRE BUILDING 33 WILLIAM J. CLINTON BUILDING (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE) 11 505 9TH STREET 22 601 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE 17 801 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SOUTH BUILDING (ENVIRONMENTAL WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER 6 FREEDOM PLAZA (RESIDENCES AT MARKET 29 NATIONAL ARCHIVES PROTECTION AGENCY) 12 HOTEL MONACO (FORMERLY SQUARE) 23 NEWSEUM AND RESIDENCES 38 PERSHING PARK 7 1201 PENNSYLVANIA ROBERT F. KENNEDY BUILDING GENERAL POST OFFICE 30 AVENUE BUILDING) 18 U.S. NAVY MEMORIAL 24 EMBASSY OF CANADA (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE) 34 WILSON PLAZA 0’ 100’ 200’ 400’ N 2 Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative | Executive Committee Findings and Strategies Summary Background Pennsylvania Avenue is one of Washington’s — and the world’s — most Research and Analysis: The Executive Committee performed a rigorous recognized streets, physically and symbolically connecting the U.S. Capitol analysis of existing economic, physical, and historic conditions within the with the White House. As a National Historic Site that’s home to federal study area, including: headquarters, businesses, museums, residents, civic activities, and lively downtown events, it plays a significant economic and cultural role in the - The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative Economic and Real Estate Market capital city. A major redevelopment effort led by the Pennsylvania Avenue Analysis (March 2016) Development Corporation (PADC) from the 1970s to the 1990s shaped the current design and character of the street and surrounding neighborhood. - The Pennsylvania Avenue, NW–White House to the Capitol–Cultural The PADC’s 1974 Pennsylvania Avenue Plan was a catalyst for the rebirth of the Landscape Inventory (May 2016) Avenue and downtown Washington. - The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative Urban Design Analysis (September By 1996 — when most of the Avenue had redeveloped — Congress dissolved 2017) and follow-up transportation analysis (March 2018) the PADC and distributed ongoing planning and management responsibilities Key Findings: The research and analysis helped to identify the challenges to the General Services Administration (GSA), National Park Service (NPS), and opportunities, resulting in the following findings: and National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), with the District of Columbia continuing maintenance of the Avenue’s roadway. After 20 years - Character and Identity: The Avenue has a strong civic character of independent efforts, these agencies formed an Executive Committee and and identity, but does not provide a consistently engaging experience launched the Initiative to coordinate and improve the Avenue’s economic for daily users. health, physical condition, beauty, and experience. - Mobility and Pedestrian Connectivity: The Avenue is well- This document summarizes the Executive Committee’s research, findings, served by multiple modes of transportation, but lacks pedestrian and strategies. connectivity to surrounding areas. Planning Approach: Building on the key findings, the Executive Committee - Economic Health: Real estate is expensive and redevelopment developed goals and short-, mid-, and long-term strategies that will inform opportunities are limited. how to improve the Avenue. Strategies focus on programmatic, operational, and physical improvements. Collectively, this work serves as the foundation to guide decision making on future Avenue improvements. Improving the Avenue will require federal and local leadership to ensure that the Avenue is an inclusive and engaging destination and authentic place to work, visit, and live. STUDY AREA STATISTICS Pennsylvania Avenue (between 3rd-15th Streets) - 1.2 miles 1974 Plan Area - 116 Acres Federal Triangle - 64 Acres Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative | Executive Committee Findings and Strategies Summary Introduction 3 Planning Approach Celebrate | Civic Role and Democratic Experience Goals The Executive Committee built upon the key findings to develop goals and strategies to inform how to improve the Avenue’s economic vitality, physical conditions, beauty, experience, and operations in the short-, mid-, and long-term. Celebrate the Avenue’s civic role and democratic experience. Given the Avenue’s current role as a stage for the city and nation, strategies to advance this goal will consider how physical conditions and programming