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Federal Workplace Element Update

Workplace Scenario Planning Study

Teleworking accelerated during the pandemic, altering where people work and commute. While this trend is playing out across the country, the National Capital Region has a unique set of challenges, as its largest single employer is the federal government. NCPC in partnership with Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), joined together to develop a scenario-based study to better understand how this trend might impact the region and its individual jurisdictions. In February 2024, NCPC and COG released findings from the Workplace Scenario Planning Study, prepared by the consultant team consisting of The Schreifer Group, HR&A Advisors Inc., and Wells + Associates. Scenario planning was used to better understand the cumulative impacts of federal telework and hybrid workplaces on the National Capital Region. Following this study, NCPC will develop policies in the Federal Workplace Element to address the top key issues identified in the study. COG will continue conversations among area jurisdictions to address these important regional impacts.

View the Study Press Release

View Amended Element

Click above to view the amended element.

Final Staff Report

Update on Hold

NCPC will continue to study the potential long-term impacts of federal workplaces post-COVID-19 and will update the Element accordingly.

2019 Draft Element

Central Employment Area

Click below to see the amended Central Employment Area.

CEA Map

About the Update

On March 4, 2021, the Commission adopted amendments to the boundary, definition, and policy of the Central Employment Area in the 2016 Federal Workplace Element, to be effective May 10, 2021. NCPC and District of Columbia Office of Planning worked together in consultation with General Services Administration and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to update the Central Employment Area boundary and definition to be consistent in the Federal and District Elements.

On July 11, 2019, the Commission released the draft update of the Federal Workplace Element for a 60-day public comment period that closed on September 16, 2019. During the draft update, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic emerged and resulted in immediate changes to the economy and operations of the federal workplace. Because of the unknown long-term implications of the pandemic on the federal workplace, NCPC in partnership with COG studied the long-term implications of federal telework and the hybrid workplace on the region (Workplace Scenario Planning Study).



Timeline

  • Commission Meeting

    The Commission authorized release of the draft Federal Workplace Element for public comment.

     

    View Draft Element View Presentation Watch the Video

  • Public Comment Period Opened

    The comment period began with the official notice published in the Federal Register.

     

    Federal Register Notice

  • Open House

    NCPC hosted two open house events for the public to learn more about the updates to the Federal Workplace Element. Both meetings covered the same content.

     

    Info Boards Presentation

  • Public Comment Period Closed

    NCPC accepted public comments on the Federal Workplace Element through September 16, 2019.

     

    Comments Received

  • Commission Meeting

    The Commission adopted amendments to the boundary, definition, and policy of the Central Employment Area in the 2016 Federal Workplace Element. The amendment will be in effect 60 days following the notice in the Federal Register.

  • Effective Date

    The amendment to the 2016 Federal Workplace Element became applicable.

  • Workplace Scenario Planning Study

    NCPC and COG completed the Workplace Scenario Planning Study.

     

    View Study Presentation Press Release

Resources

2016 Comp Plan Federal Elements District's Comprehensive Plan

The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal government's planning agency for the National Capital Region.

The 12-member Commission meets monthly to adopt, approve, or provide advice on plans and projects that impact the nation's capital and surrounding areas.

401 9th Street, NW
Suite 500N
Washington DC 20004
Phone: (202) 482-7200
Email: info@ncpc.gov
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