President Biden designated Elizabeth ”Beth” White as the new Chair of the Commission in November 2021. An at-large Commissioner since 2012, Chair White brings a wealth of experience to this new role. We congratulate her and look forward to working together.

”I'm honored to chair the National Capital Planning Commission and work with my fellow commissioners to build and sustain a livable, resilient capital region and advance the Biden Administration's critical priorities around sustainability, equity, and innovation,” said Chair White.

2021 was a different kind of year for many, NCPC included. While staff predominantly worked from home and the Commission conducted meetings online, our efforts to preserve and enhance the National Capital Region's extraordinary historical, cultural, and natural resources and federal assets continued. We're proud to share highlights of some of our recent and upcoming activities.

Funded by a major grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, this two-year collaborative effort between NCPC, the Trust for the National Mall, and the National Park Service will result in 8-10 different temporary commemorative works to help increase diversity and representation and expand who gets to tell their stories in the nation's capital.

In response to Executive Orders promoting equity across the federal government’s activities, NCPC is identifying ways to advance equity in its core work. Staff developed an action plan with concrete steps to help us better incorporate equity in our efforts.

Open to the Public: What’s the Big Deal with a Little Security, an online event, examined the impacts of security on public life and access. Findings included the importance of advocating for, and maintaining, safety and equity that result in well-designed public spaces. A separate workshop looked at ways to make Farragut Square a more secure, accessible, and inviting urban park.

Developed to support the Biden Administration’s efforts to address the climate crisis, this plan identifies how NCPC will help minimize the negative impacts of climate change that are already occurring in the National Capital Region and take advantage of opportunities to coordinate and respond effectively to future conditions.

NCPC, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the General Services Administration released an updated Transportation Management Plan (TMP) Handbook to help federal agencies prepare TMPs. The reformatted handbook includes current information and examples of real-world innovative management strategies from recent federal TMPs. TMPs help campuses and installations become more sustainable, multi-modal, and healthier workplaces.

NCPC reviews and recommends a six-year Federal Capital Improvements Program (FCIP) to the Office of Management and Budget for use in preparing the President’s annual budget. The FY 2021-2026 FCIP Funded Report lists 37 projects with approximately $756 million in appropriated funds. At $229 million, NIH’s Surgery Radiology Laboratory Building had the largest appropriation. For FY 2022-2027, NCPC incorporated questions about sustainability and equity impacts into the review process.

An interdisciplinary team of experts contributed ideas on how to transform Pennsylvania Avenue into an inclusive place for people to gather, celebrate, and connect, culminating in a public presentation, America’s Civic Stage. The expert team’s findings will help inform a range of concept lenses to revitalize the Avenue between the White House and U.S. Capitol that will be released in 2022.

A new, annual initiative kicked off last year to improve communication between NCPC and federal facilities in the National Capital Region, resulting in earlier engagement during the planning and development processes for federal projects and master plans. A new digital tool was developed to help staff map and track this information.

NCPC is studying the impacts of COVID-19 on regional federal workplaces, and will use these findings to guide Comprehensive Plan updates. The Commission adopted changes to the Central Employment Area (CEA) so that federal and local boundaries match. The CEA now extends east of the Anacostia River to include the St. Elizabeths campus. NCPC prioritizes locating federal offices in the CEA and encourages GSA to use it for site selection and leasing solicitations.

NCPC approved the final master plan, except special use parking, noting that Goddard will transform into a sustainable and walkable campus with development concentrated in a linear pedestrian zone. The plan reorients the main entrance near a new visitor center, integrates stormwater management, reduces building energy use, preserves forests, and adds trees.

The Commission expressed support for the Smithsonian Institution’s concept plans to increase public access and use and improve building systems and exteriors for the Smithsonian Castle and Arts and Industries Building. Upcoming reviews will provide additional details and a better understanding of the historic preservation implications of this significant undertaking. This major project is a component of the South Mall Campus Master Plan which NCPC approved in 2018.

NCPC commented favorably on a concept master plan update with proposed changes to internal vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation as well as new development in the Arboretum’s administrative core. The next draft plan submission should include detailed information on future employee and visitor parking, proposed new development and building alterations, historic asset management, and improved connections to nearby trails and neighborhoods.

The draft master plan will update and maintain the only national park dedicated to the performing arts, protect its resources, and retain its cultural landscape. NCPC encouraged more connectivity to nearby transit stations, additional trees in parking lots, and supported a new main gate configuration to maintain views of the Filene Center approach while providing universal access for disabled patrons. Commissioners were pleased with changes in the draft master plan that addressed their previous comments.

The draft Installation Development Plan will transform it into an environmentally sustainable base and accommodate population growth and development while preserving and celebrating its heritage. Commissioners supported the plan and made recommendations to identify tree planting priority areas; increase renewable energy production; and improve wayfinding, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.

The proposed master plan will transform the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) campus into a more efficient and environmentally sustainable worksite. The Commission approved comments on the draft master plan, commending its thoughtful approach to preserve forested areas and utilize previously disturbed land as potential development sites. Other Commission recommendations included studying viewsheds into the campus and making improvements to the employee parking ratio.

NCPC approved final plans, noting that the improvements achieve a strong balance between retaining key historic elements and incorporating new features. Commissioners appreciated that the Smithsonian followed their recommendation to retain the historic pool and add a new adjacent pool, as well as retaining the historic inner partition wall’s location and material. The revitalized garden will better showcase the sculptures and be easier to access.

The Commission approved the final submission to rehabilitate the Marriner S. Eccles and Federal Reserve Board-East Buildings, modernize interiors, upgrade systems, and add compatible additions to facilitate a modern Federal Reserve campus. Commissioners found that the additions would complement historic architecture and that landscape designs and thoughtfully integrated perimeter security for both buildings would enhance their Constitution Avenue setting.

The Commission approved final plans for a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) headquarters building on the St. Elizabeths West Campus. The building’s simple roofline and flat penthouse will integrate well within the landscape and its location allows for the preservation of several historic buildings. Commissioners were also pleased that the walkway design was adjusted based upon previous feedback.

NCPC approved final plans for a free-standing plaque with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s June 6, 1944 prayer to the nation. The location of the plaque, as previously recommended by the Commission, will improve the World War II Memorial’s Circle of Remembrance by completing the circle’s geometric form.

NCPC approved final plans for additions to the memorial in President’s Park. The additions will honor those fallen in Korea on the Demilitarized Zone, in Iraq, and in Afghanistan. Two new stone plinths, a central space for visitors, and a new walkway will make the memorial more accessible. NCPC found the design a sensitive approach to modifying an existing memorial.

A one-story Bureau of Engraving and Printing facility proposed for a suburban Beltsville, Maryland location will replace the existing currency production facility downtown. While Commissioners appreciated the need for a more efficient facility, they expressed concerns about its size, impact on the landscape and existing trees, and surface parking–all of which will be considered in future reviews.

Washington, DC’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, designed by Mies van der Rohe, had a grand reopening in September 2021, following its September 2020 soft opening with limited services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NCPC completed its review in October 2016.

The National World War I Memorial, which honors the service of members of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I, opened on April 17, 2021 in downtown’s Pershing Park. NCPC completed its review in October 2019.

The renovated downtown park opened in September 2021 with new and updated features including green space, seating, a central plaza, and a children’s garden. NCPC completed its review in April 2019.

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is the federal government’s central planning agency for the National Capital Region. Through planning, policymaking, and project review, NCPC protects and advances the federal government’s interest in the region’s development.