• By Stephen Staudigl
• March 11, 2024

NCPC Approves Final Constitution Gardens Rehabilitation-Phase 2 Plans

At its March 7, 2024 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved final site development plans for the Constitution Gardens Rehabilitation–Phase 2 submitted by the National Park Service, in partnership with the Trust for the National Mall. Constitution Gardens is located on approximately 43-acres on the National Mall south of Constitution Avenue, NW and west of 17th Street, NW. It was originally designed to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial.

The project will improve Constitution Gardens’ condition by reconstructing the lake into a sustainable and inviting space that respects the original design. Components include improving the soil, diversifying plants, increasing the lake’s depth, adding biological and mechanical filtration, upgrading walkways and lighting, and providing new flexible spaces for informal gathering, events, and programming.

Commissioners were very pleased with the final design and changes made in response to their previous comments, including children’s play spaces in later phases, and commended the National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall for their joint efforts to rehabilitate Constitution Gardens and make it an attractive destination.

The Commission approved preliminary site development plans submitted by the National Park Service for the Texas Legation Memorial. The memorial seeks to honor the Republic of Texas representatives who served in Washington, DC as diplomats to the United States and made possible Texas joining the union as the twenty-eighth state. It will include a plaque on a plinth that is mounted on a star-shaped marker stone. The memorial will be located in the 600 block of Indiana Avenue, NW, which is close to where several representatives lived when they were in Washington on official business. Plants native to both Texas and Washington will be part of the memorial’s landscaping.

NCPC also provided comments on several projects. The first was concept plans for a new Pentagon Metro Entrance Pedestrian Access Control Point submitted by the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services. To be located near the exit of the Pentagon Metrorail Station, the new facility would provide improved employee screening prior to entering the building. Two designs were submitted. Each has an 18,000 square foot facility with an outdoor landscaped plaza connecting to the Pentagon Transit Center. The differences were how the addition connects to the existing entrance facility, how the existing facility is changed, and building materials.

Commissioners supported the proposed location, footprint, and height of the addition. While they liked elements of both options, they found that the design still needs work and recommended that it be revised to make it simpler and more consistent. They want to see more ways to improve natural light and openness in the addition’s interior and recommended the applicant continue to evaluate the material palette.

Commissioners provided comments on the draft master plan (area development plan) submitted by the Air Force for the Joint Base Andrews Administrative and Support District. The 4,436-acre base is in Prince Georges County, Maryland. The district includes the main base headquarters building and most of the installation’s commercial and administrative uses. It is one of nine planning districts on the base and the first to receive an area development plan.

NCPC supported the plan’s goals to densify future development patterns and create walkable nodes with modern buildings connected by great streets. They recommended that the Air Force further examine the need and location for two proposed parking garages on the Jones Campus, as well as the proposed layout of a new commissary, post exchange, and multi-level residential buildings in the Southend as it might be possible to rearrange them into a more integrated “town center” development.

NCPC provided feedback to the General Services Administration on concept plans for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency Building and Site Development. The approximately 550,000 gross square foot facility will be located on the Department of Homeland Security’s St. Elizabeths West Campus. It would have two primary towers connected by a two-story podium and an exterior courtyard.

Commissioners thought the design complemented the campus, including the recently approved Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency building, and recommended that it be further developed to increase compatibility with adjacent historic buildings and the South Lawn area parade grounds. For the next review phase, they requested views of the proposed building from the surrounding area, updates on historic preservation consultation, and how the project meets NCPC’s tree replacement policies.

The Commission enthusiastically approved preliminary site and development plans for the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Barracks submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Two new 100-unit modern barracks in a u-shaped design would replace a decommissioned swimming pool and related facilities and seven historic non-commissioned officers’ quarters on the 272-acre base in Ft. Myer, Virginia.

At its April 2023 review Commissioners found the proposed design lacking in quality and recommended that the applicant refine the overall design, scale, and mass. They were very complementary to the design team and applicant for the changes made that greatly improved the design. They expressed their appreciation that the applicant addressed NCPC’s prior comments and incorporated them to vastly improve the submission, noting that the overall architectural scale, materials, fenestration, and design is more compatible with Fort Myer Historic District.

Commission actions and related materials are available online.

The Commission approved one item on the Consent Calendar (no presentations were made). The project is in Washington, DC.
1. Final site development plans for the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Rehabilitation. (8363)

The Executive Director approved one item under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final building plans for the Liberty Loan Building Antenna Modification, 401 14th Street, SW. (8519)
2. Final site development plans for the Marine Barracks Washington P158 Bachelor Enlisted Quarters and Support Facility Revision, 1053 7th Street, SE. (8456)
3. Final site and building plans for the Congress Heights Recreation Center, 611 Alabama Avenue, SE. (8398)
4. Comments to the Council of the District of Columbia for the Proposed Closing of a Public Alley in Square 756 - S.O. 24-00310, 313 2nd Street, NE. (8526)
5. Preliminary site and building plans for the Fort McNair Building 61 Renovation, 300 D Street, SW. (8527)
6. Preliminary and final building plans for the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building Antenna Upgrade, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, Maryland. (8518)
7. Preliminary site and building plans for the Pentagon Center Courtyard Stage and Stairs Modifications, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. (8524)