Federal Urban Design Element Policies
Feedback Survey

"After buildings encroaching into this plan outlive their useful life, the rights of way should be returned to make the plan integral (e.g., Verizon Center, Labor Department, etc.). 10th Street, closed for the former Convention Center, will soon be reopened."

"Restore the grid wherever possible. "

"Pursue the lowering of the Southwest Freeway to a limited access boulevard . Move the current through rail freight out of the city to bypass the Capitol and reduce the vulnerability to accident or attack by hazardous chemicals or ecplosives"

"I agree however do not maintain the integrity of original rights of way only to spite or limit access to rail and highways which relieve congestion of downtown streets."

"Reestablish only those which did not go through the NCPC/CFA review/approval processes. Those that have been through the process presumably reflect the will of the people."

"Washington needs more buildings like the Canadian Embassy and less like the FBI Headquarters. The federal government should leave design to the District of Columbia."

"In addition, private and public building designs should discourage box designs and encourage corner building designs to incorporate polygonal or cylindrical designs topped with pyramids or domes (see, e.g., 1501 M street building has a cylindrical design at the corner of 15th and M, capped with dome)."

"Agree with what I think is intended, but as stated, this policy is meaningless. What does "enhances" mean? What is meant by "respects" civic buildings and icons. How does one judge when this policy is met? "

"While this sounds like a motherhood and apple pie choice, routine federal office buildings need not necessarily be monumental. We need more balance so that DC streets are less sterile. Ground floor retail in standard federal office buildings should be encouraged."

"More Beaux-Arts design or at least nods to the Beaux Arts tradition "

"To do this will require the agency design boards with oversight of this goal to also have vision."

"I agree, however, we can never anticipate what will be fashionable to our future generations. We all had shag carpet and thought olive appliances were awesome at one point. Being too restrictive can impede function, however I believe that a historic city should err on the side on design conservativism "

"Please define "enhance." Steps need to be taken to stop building new structures ojn the National Mall that block existing vistas. Congress declared at one point that the National Mall was a "completed work." Please work top enforce that notion."

"What does this mean? I prefer the current design of the mall as a place for all people."

"Somehow Congress needs to enact legislation to abandon its power to chip away at the Mall. Otherwise even the Irish will have a monument there to the commemorate the potato famine."

"I find the National Mall rather bland and poorly maintained. The Congress should also stop adding monuments and memorials to the Mall. What is meant by "maintaining the character of the Federal Triangle"?"

"The new mall vision should be less concerned about programming and more concerned with original character"

"There have been many plans for DC. However, the McMillan plan should undergo periodic review for sufficiency and compatibility with the city and its growth. "

"Streetcar wires do not necessarily negatively impact street character."

"I agree that streetcar wires should not be considered to have negative impacts."

"Street car wire do negatively affect the cityscape! "

"I agree but do not let this impinge on the expanding of NECESSARY transportation infrastructure. I think this policy needs the statement "whenever possible" at the end. There is going to need to be some flexibility when push comes to shove."

"Restricting heights below the current regulations would negatively effect additional TODs at our metro stations and waste this valuable resource."

"Downtown Washington already extends beyond Florida with taller buildings north of this former boundary (e.g. Meridian Hall)."

"I oppose height limits outside of the federal core. Height limits encourage suburban sprawl, raise the cost of housing and limit tax revenue to the District of Columbia."