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Study area map.
The SW Ecodistrict will be a high-performance environmental showcase. Reservation 13, as shown, will be the new neighborhood’s primary park.
Success will be measured by an increase in neighborhood vitality coupled with a reduction in resources per capita.
A rendering of what 10th Street, SW might look like (looking south towards Banneker Park).
Background and Context
The 2013 SW Ecodistrict Plan is a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to transform a disconnected and aging federal precinct into a highly sustainable workplace, cultural destination, and livable neighborhood. Launched in 2011, NCPC built the initiative on the aspirations of the Legacy Plan and vision of the Monumental Core Framework Plan, as well as executive orders to use federal workspaces more efficiently and to reduce energy, water, and waste use in federal buildings.
- Transforming 10th Street, SW and Banneker Park into an inviting civic corridor connecting the National Mall to the waterfront.
- Identifing new and improved parks and sites for cultural destinations.
- Re-establishing Maryland Avenue as an urban boulevard and expand the rail corridor and L'Enfant Station to increase commuter transit capacity.
- Improveing 7.9 million square feet of existing federal office space that accommodates 19,000 additional employees and create up to 2.9 million square feet of new residential, retail, and office development opportunities.
- Achieving significant energy, water, waste, and stormwater reductions that result in lower federal operating and maintenance expenses and better environmental outcomes.
- Establishing partnerships and governance structures to help public and private entities advance the plan over a 20-year timeframe.
Key Information
- Prepared by:
National Capital Planning Commission
District of Columbia Office of Planning
18 member SW Ecodistrict Task Force - Accepted: January, 2013
Download Full Plan
Current
Additional studies and planning work were conducted including a stormwater infrastructure study, the SW Ecodistrict Addendum (2014) and the District's Maryland Avenue, SW planning work (2015). The SW Business Improvement District, created in October 2015, provides leadership to further the plan's public and private partnerships. Consistent with the plan’s recommendations, several projects have been completed by the private sector, the SW Business Improvement District, and local and federal governments within and in the vicinity of the study area, including:
- The temporary Banneker Park pedestrian connection between 10th Street, SW and Maine Street, SW.
- The construction of new cultural destinations, including the International Spy Museum to 10th Street, SW; Nuseum of the Bible at 7th and D Streets, SW; and ARTECHOUSE at the western terminus of Maryland Avenue SW.
- The sale of the General Service's Cotton Annex Building located on 12th Street, SW.
- Reconstruction of the Virginia Avenue train tunnel.
- The Wharf development on the Southwest Waterfront.
- Completion of the Portals complex, a new mixed-use development at the western terminus of Maryland Avenue.
- Greening of the 7th and Independence Avenue, SW Gateway as a welcoming portal to the neighborhood and beautification of the 10th Street, SW median with trees, planters, seating, tables, chairs and umbrellas.
- Operation of free neighborhood daily shuttle connecting the activity hubs along the waterfront, L’Enfant Plaza and the South Campus of the National Mall.
Several projects are underway, including:
- Long-term development of the Smithsonian Institution’s South Campus Master Plan.
- Approvals for a new hotel on former federal land on 12th Street at the terminus of C Street, SW.
- Redevelopment of the Reporters Building at 7th and Maryland Avenue, SW.
- Studies to improve the Long Bridge across the Potomac River and expand rail connections through L’Enfant Plaza to improve the movement of commuter passengers and freight through the corridor.
Plan Chapters
Overview
Vision, proposed land use changes, and how environmental and economic success will be measured.
Context
Previous planning efforts for the area and the SW Ecodistrict's relationship to federal priorities.
Neighborhood Framework
Objectives and strategies to revitalize the area organized by three categories: Civic Realm, Land Use, and Mobility.
Environmental Framework
Strategies for reducing energy, water, and waste in the SW Ecodistrict's future redevelopment.
Development Scenario and Focus Areas
Details on land use and energy, water, and waste usage for an aspirational scenario divided into four focus areas.
Successful Partnerships
A framework to coordinate, prioritize, and program future actions and projects to implement the SW Ecodistrict vision.
