• By Stephen Staudigl
• May 07, 2024

NCPC Approves Preliminary Rock Creek Park Golf Course Rehabilitation Plans

At its May 2, 2024 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved preliminary site and building plans submitted by the National Park Service, in cooperation with National Links Trust, to rehabilitate the Rock Creek Park Golf Course. Initially built between 1921 and 1927, the parkland-style golf course has 18 holes.

The Commission supported the project’s goals to address deferred maintenance, broaden course appeal to the local community, and achieve financial stability for the public golf course’s operation, noting that it is in the worst condition and is the least played of the three National Park Service-controlled courses in Washington. More than 20 years of deferred maintenance and significant overgrowth on the course necessitate the removal of six acres of trees to return the course to a playable condition and accommodate the proposed design. Plans include reconfiguring the course to include a nine-hole regulation course, a shorter nine-hole Par-3 course, and a driving range with new clubhouse and support facilities.

Following a public testimony period with more than 40 people providing their thoughts, and having received more than 230 public comments, the Commission approved the preliminary plans and requested that the National Park Service coordinate additional public engagement on the tree inventory, removal, and replacement plan and other environmental issues raised in the public testimony to allow time to consider any potential improvements, prior to submitting for final review. The Commission also required that the National Park Service return to the Commission prior to Phase 2 construction in 2025 (when more informed planting decisions can be made) with a briefing on the tree replacement strategy.

The Commission approved the final Washington Navy Yard Southeast Corner Master Plan submitted by the Department of the Navy. The plans cover an approximately 15-acre section at the southeast corner of the Navy Yard (the O Parcels), which includes several historic buildings and portions of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and piers. The Navy Yard encompasses approximately 76 acres. Commissioners encouraged the applicant to continue robust engagement with the surrounding communities as more detailed proposals are developed.

The Navy intends to enter into a long-term lease with a private developer for the O Parcels which is part of a larger transaction which allows the Navy to take control of the E Parcels at the Navy Yard’s northwest corner. Up to 1.7 million square feet of development would include residential (including affordable housing), hospitality, office, and retail in a combination of new buildings and rehabilitation of historic structures.

In April 2024, NCPC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Navy and the DC Office of Planning that outlines the master planning and zoning process for this area to ensure that all legal authorities are met, and that Navy has a predictable process for updating the master plan and implementing the private development through zoning. Per the MOU, NCPC reviews and approves the master plan as a guide for zoning, which will be coordinated by through the DC Office of Planning and subject to the DC Zoning Commission process.

The Commission provided comments on concept plans submitted by the Smithsonian Institution for the National Air and Space Museum Construct Integrated Bezos Learning Center. The center will be a three-level, approximately 80,000 square foot addition to the east end of the museum on the National Mall.
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The center will include a ground level 600-700 seat restaurant; a learning center on levels two and three; an outdoor special event space on the upper terrace; a new east vestibule connection to the museum with a dedicated south entrance for school groups; a dedicated entrance; an “Astronomy Park” at the site’s eastern portion of the site including the permanent installation of the Phoebe Waterman Haas Observatory; and a new civic green space, or “Learning Courtyard,” fronting the National Mall with a viewing terrace.

Commissioners supported the Smithsonian’s preferred concept design and found that the spiral galaxy design inspiration was elegantly expressed and would be a strong thematic element that reflects the center’s program and the museum’s mission.

NCPC approved final site and building plans submitted by the Smithsonian Institution for the South Mall Campus Historic Core Revitalization - Phase 2. The project is focused on enhancing the Smithsonian Castle and increasing public access. Features in this phase include a variety of above ground elements and design details, materials, and finishes, as well as improvements to the building envelope and landscape.

Due to the length of the meeting, the Commission voted to postpone until June an information presentation on a project referred to NCPC by the Montgomery Parks Department under the Capper Cramton Act. The project would reconfigure a 0.4-mile section of Little Falls Parkway from a permanent four-lane, median-divided roadway into a permanent two-lane, median-divided cross-section. No action is taken on information presentations.

Commission actions and related materials are available online.

The Commission approved seven items on the Consent Calendar (no presentations were made). Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Concurrence with the RFK Stadium National Park Service-District of Columbia Agreement, 2400 East Capitol Street. (8541)
2. Preliminary site and building plans for the U.S. National Arboretum Elevated Canopy Trail, 3501 New York Avenue, NE. (8538)
3. Preliminary site and building plans for the U.S. Naval Observatory Booths, Gates, and Parking. (8542)
4. Final master plan for the Pentagon Reservation Master Plan Update, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. (MP174)
5. Comments to the Mayor of the District of Columbia for the District of Columbia Capital Improvement Plan FY 2025–2030. (0348)
6. Preliminary site and building plans for the Leckie Education Campus Addition, 4201 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SW. (8540)
7. Approval of a report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for a Planned Unit Development Modification of Significance at Square 1299, 2001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW and 3300 Whitehaven Street, NW. (ZC 86-04B)

The Executive Director approved three items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final site development plans for the National Zoo Cheetah Conservation Station Infrastructure Renewal, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW. (8537)
2. Comments on concept plans for the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Building 005 Modernization, 10500 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland. (8539)
3. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Text Amendments to Reduce Publicly Assisted Affordable Dwelling Units Parking Requirements, District-wide. (ZC 23-17)