• By Stephen Staudigl
• November 07, 2023

NCPC Provides Feedback on the Draft Washington Navy Yard Southeast Corner Master Plan

At its November 2, 2023 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) provided input to the U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington on the draft Washington Navy Yard Southeast Corner Master Plan. The plan covers 15 acres of the Washington Navy Yard’s southeast corner and includes the “O” parcel and portions of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and piers. There are currently several buildings (some historic), parking lots, and a parking garage on the site.

The proposal includes mixed-use development with residential, retail, hospitality and office uses outside the Navy Yard’s secure perimeter. Some existing historic buildings will be repurposed and reused. While the master plan area is subject to a long-term lease to a private developer, the land will remain under federal ownership, necessitating NCPC review. The lease is part of a larger transaction which gives the Navy control of the “E Parcels” at the Navy Yard’s northwest corner, on M Street, SE, currently controlled by the U.S. General Services Administration. This will allow the Navy to improve security at the site and relocate the Navy Museum there.

The Commission supported the overall development approach, improvement of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, preservation of public access, and reuse and reinterpretation of the piers. They requested a stormwater management plan and potential green site and building strategies. Due to potential viewshed impacts, they required the Navy and private developer, prior to the next review, to work with the group Building Bridges Across the River to identify existing and proposed viewsheds from the 11th Street Bridge Park overlooks and evaluate whether master plan modifications could accommodate sightlines to the U.S. Capitol and other landmarks without compromising the plan’s density or impacting historic resources and viewsheds. They also required development of a coordination process between the two projects.

NCPC commented on concept plans submitted by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) for the design of standalone small cell poles in Washington. The pole design would be the same for all cellphone carriers, with only the top varying depending on the provider. DDOT worked with NCPC and other District and federal agencies to develop Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines that addressed various aspects of the placement and design of small cell facilities. NCPC approved these guidelines in March 2019. The pole design was not included at that time as it required further study.

NCPC noted that the federal interest regarding design and placement of small cells within District rights-of-way is limited to the federal core because of the presence of unique federal and cultural resources there. Commissioners supported using a single pole design to accommodate different cellular carrier antennas; commented favorably on the tall, slim profile design of the standalone pole; and were very complimentary of DDOT’s work in developing the design.

They requested that DDOT see if the pole and base heights could be reduced to a more pedestrian friendly scale, that a full-size prototype of the standalone pole be installed in a location identified on the Federal Core Interest Area Map for no less than 30 days prior to submission of preliminary plans for NCPC review, and that it be used to evaluate the color options (black and gray).

The Commission provided comments to DDOT on concept plans for three options for pedestrian rail improvements to the William Howard Taft Bridge that carries Connecticut Avenue over Rock Creek Park. Each option provides a suicide deterrent barrier system that minimizes impacts to the historic bridge’s existing fabric and viewsheds. Option 1 would add glazed panels to the outside of the existing railings; Option 2 would add wire mesh to the outside of the existing railings; and Option 3 would replace and reconstruct the existing concrete and railings so that they would be 8 feet tall.

The Commission expressed support for efforts to protect people and deter future suicide attempts at the bridge. They recommended further developing Option 2 while requesting additional information about how to make the mesh less visibly obtrusive. They also supported advancing Option 3B for further development, requesting that DDOT further evaluate the lamppost base and details, as well as the treatment of the top of the metal railing, including whether a curved top could be employed with a reduced height.

Commission actions and related materials are available online.

The Commission approved one item on the Consent Calendar (no presentation was made). The project is in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary site development plans for the Shepherd Parkway Parklands Rehabilitation. (8415)

The Executive Director approved six items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, all projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Temporary Public Art Installation in Anacostia Park, Section D, Located along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and Anacostia Drive, SE. (7808)
2. Preliminary building plans for the Washington Navy Yard Building 157 Renovation, 900 M Street, SE. (8501)
3. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Armed Forces Retirement Home Generator Enclosure, 3700 North Capitol Street, NW. (8503)
4. Final site and building plans for the Alice Deal Middle School Classroom Addition, 3815 Fort Drive, NW. (8485)
5. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Suitland Federal Center Perimeter Improvements, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland. (8493)
6. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Map Amendment at Square 397, Lot 30, 1515 9th Street, NW. (ZC 23-06)