national capital planning commission annual report 2009

National Capital Planning Commission Annual Report 2009October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009

Building Connections: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Region

The Federal Planning Agency for America’s Capital

401 9th Street, NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20004

Telephone 202.482.7200 Fax 202.482.7272 [email protected] www.ncpc.gov

The National Capital Planning Commission is the federal government’s planning

agency in the District of Columbia and surrounding counties in Maryland and

Virginia. The Commission provides overall planning guidance for federal land and

buildings in the region. It also reviews the design of federal construction projects,

oversees long-range planning for future development, and monitors capital

investment by federal agencies.

Printed on 100% recycled, environmentally forested stock with soy inks.

Contents

1. Message from the Chairman and Executive Director 3

2. NCPC Welcomes New Chairman 4

3. Redefining the Region 5

4. Local/Federal Partnerships 8

5. NCPC Promotes Sustainability in the Region 14

6. New Look for NCPC 16

7. Improving the National Mall 18

8. Plan and Project Review 22

9. Security for a Changing World 27

10. Commemoration in the Nation’s Capital 28

11. Outreach 30

12. Financial Report 31

13. The Next Generation 32

14. News & Notes & Achievements 33

15. Coming in 2010 35

Commission & Staff 36

National Capital Planning Commission Annual Report 2009 1

2 Building Connections: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Region

L. Preston Bryant, Jr.Chairman, NCPC

Marcel AcostaExecutive Director, NCPC

During the past fiscal year, the National CapitalPlanning Commission (NCPC) made progress oncornerstone projects and launched severalinitiatives. Public input and the contributions of ourpartner agencies have been, and will continue to be,critical components of our success.

President Obama’s focus on urban policy promptedNCPC and the Metropolitan Washington Council ofGovernments to reevaluate the regional coordinationof planning and development. Senior officials from theWhite House, federal agencies, and local jurisdictionscame together over the summer to begin what manyhope is the start of a long and fruitful collaborationaimed at positioning the region as a model for federaland local cooperation.

In the spring, NCPC and the U.S. Commission of FineArts (CFA) completed the joint Monumental CoreFramework Plan. The plan outlines strategicguidelines for creating a livable, sustainable citycenter by alleviating pressure on the National Malland invigorating the surrounding federal districts. TheNCPC––CFA partnership was bolstered by thecontributions of many federal and District agencies,nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, andmembers of the public. The effort included workingwith the General Services Administration to developstrategies for enlivening federal office buildings withpublicly accessible activities that can contribute to themaking of a more lively city center.

NCPC also put finishing touches on CapitalSpace, acomprehensive park planning initiative with theNational Park Service and District of Columbiaagencies. Partnership is at the core of many of theplan’s recommendations––from improving thecoordination of park planning, attracting resourcesfor upkeep, to building community stewardship.

During the year, the agency experienced a change inleadership, and welcomed several new staff membersto its team. Newly organized planning divisionsexpand our outreach capacity in the region, and a newlogo, improved Web site, and Facebook page help usbetter serve existing constituencies, while connectingwith new audiences.

Greater Washington is one of the most appealingplaces in the country to live, work, and play. NCPC iscommitted to advancing the best planning practicesto ensure this region continues to set standards forcommunities nationwide. The agency looks forwardto meeting this challenge and welcomes the public’shelp in shaping the future of the capital city.

Partnerships are essential in a changing environment. In planning the nation’s capital, everything fromcrafting a vision to implementation requires thecoordinated effort of many entities.

Building Connections

Message from the Chairman and Executive Director



The end of the fiscal year marked the beginningof new leadership at the National Capital Planning Commission.

In September 2009, President Obama appointed L. Preston Bryant, Jr. to serve as NCPC’s twenty-firstchairman. In his new role at NCPC, Mr. Bryant isleading the Commission’s work to protect andenhance the extraordinary historical, cultural, andnatural resources of the nation’s capital andsurrounding region.

Chairman Bryant brings a wealth of knowledge andexperience to the Commission. Most recently, heserved as Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources,where he had oversight of six agencies that protectand restore the Commonwealth’s natural andhistoric resources.

Previously, he served in theVirginia House of Delegates for tenyears. While there, he sponsoredlandmark legislation to preservemore than one million acres ofnontidal wetlands, streamlineVirginia’s stormwater managementprograms, and create a programto improve wastewater treatmentfacilities that discharge intoVirginia waters.

“There really is no capital city as beautiful andspectacular as ours,” said Chairman Bryant. “NCPCplays a key role in strengthening Washington’sstanding as a sustainable, livable capital. I amhumbled to guide its preservation andenhancement.”

Chairman Bryant replaced John V. Cogbill, III who ledthe agency from June 2001 - September 2009 (readour farewell to Mr. Cogbill on page 33.)

NCPC plays a key role instrengthening Washington’sstanding as a sustainable,livable capital. I am humbledto guide its preservation andenhancement.

L Preston Bryant, Jr.Chairman, NCPC

NCPC Welcomes NewChair to the Helm


To help accomplish this goal, NCPCteamed with the MetropolitanWashington Council of Governments(MWCOG) at the National Press Clubin July to host the event Building theRegion Together. NCPC and MWCOGassembled senior White House

officials, federal agency representatives, and localelected officials from throughout the National CapitalRegion (NCR) to discuss issues that are confrontingAmerican communities, big and small.

Regional cooperation has long been a goal shared byNCPC, the federal planning agency for the region,and MWCOG, the metropolitan planning organizationfor the Washington region. The July event providedan opportunity to evaluate regional coordination oflong-term planning and development, which fits wellwith the new administration’s focus on urban policy.

“The administration’s policy supports working across boundaries to improve the economiccompetitiveness, opportunity, and sustainability ofmetropolitan areas,” said NCPC Executive DirectorMarcel Acosta. “A strong partnership betweenfederal and regional leaders can position this regionas a standard for federal and local cooperation.”

Senior White House officials Valerie Jarrett, AdolfoCarrion, and Xavier Briggs were in attendance, aswere many regional elected leaders and appointedofficials from the District of Columbia, Maryland,and Virginia. High-ranking representatives from theU.S. Department of Transportation, GeneralServices Administration, Department of Defense,Department of Homeland Security, and theEnvironmental Protection Agency also participated.

The discussion focused on several touchstone issuesfor the region including sustainability, transportation,and affordable housing. One of the themes thatemerged during the meeting was the importance ofestablishing the region as a dynamic model ofcooperative leadership.

Ms. Jarrett, who serves as the Senior Advisor andAssistant to the President for IntergovernmentalAffairs and Public Engagement spoke about herexperiences in local government in Chicago. Sheexplained that one of her goals is to improve the federal process so it aids, rather than hinders,local governments.

Redefining the Region

NCPC Shines a Spotlight on Area’s Challenges

Many key challenges facing America’scommunities are the same ones dauntinglocalities right here in the National CapitalRegion. That is why it makes sense to positionthe region as a model of innovative andsuccessful strategies aimed at creating morelivable and sustainable neighborhoods.

White House Senior Advisor ValerieJarrett and NCPC Executive DirectorMarcel Acosta at the Building theRegion Together event.

A strong partnership between federal and

regional leaders can position the region as a

standard for federal and local cooperation.

Marcel AcostaExecutive Director, NCPC

“I would like to help improve this dynamic,” saidMs. Jarrett, who expressed optimism about theinteragency cooperation already underway onthe federal level. “I plan to have an open-doorpolicy, and I’m excited about the opportunity towork to improve the health and quality of life forthe residents of this region.”

The meeting provided local leaders with the opportunity to share ideasregarding planning policies that can dramatically impact urban centers.

Harriet Tregoning, director of the DC Office of Planning, quoted figuresdemonstrating the District’s strong commitment to mass transit and calledon the federal government to act as an “enlightened employer” by linkinggovernment workplaces and affordablehousing. This could help the government“attract and retain the best and thebrightest,” said Ms. Tregoning.

Barbara Favola, chair of the ArlingtonCounty Board, added that greaterflexibility was needed in regional publichousing subsidies because of higherland costs in the region.

Judith Davis, mayor of Greenbelt,Maryland, and Andrea McGimsey, aLoudoun County board memberrequested that the federal governmentexplore green initiatives and buildpartnerships that support green technology.

During the coming year, NCPC and MWCOG will continue their work withthe administration, federal agencies, and regional jurisdictions by exploringpartnership opportunities throughout the National Capital Region.

“We look forward to collaborating with all of the region’s stakeholders,”said NCPC Chairman L. Preston Bryant, Jr. “and continuing our efforts to enhance this region so it sets a new standard as a great place to live, work, and play.”

“I am confident we will continue to cultivate this federal-regionalpartnership,” said Penelope Gross, chair of WMCOG. “We can transformthis region from home of the nation’s capital, to home of a prosperous andlivable global capital.”


We look forward to collaborating with all

of the region’s stakeholders.

L. Preston Bryant, Jr.

Chairman, NCPC

Pictured left to right: Adolfo Carrion, David Robertson,Marcel Acosta, and Xavier Briggs

Effectively blending the federal

government’s role with the efforts

of regional authorities is critical to

enabling the area to work together.

David Robertson

Executive Director, MWCOG

That is the belief shared by a cross sectionof stakeholders who took part in a regionalworkshop in November 2008.

The exercise supported the Greater Washington 2050initiative, an effort led by the MetropolitanWashington Council of Governments (MWCOG) inconjunction with the region’s jurisdictions and civicand business stakeholders.

The “Scenario Thinking Workshop” was intended tobuild on the 2050 plan by dramatically stretchingparticipants’ perspectives about various issuesshaping the region’s future. The 2050 effort, in whichNCPC has been the lead federal participant, isdesigned to identify and work toward a comprehensivevision, shared goals, and measurable outcomes.

Featured speakers included Sharon Bulova, chair ofthe Greater Washington 2050 Coalition, who openedthe event. She urged the audience to find “better waysfor us to grow in the future and better ways for us towork together.”

NCPC Executive Director Marcel Acosta echoed Ms.Bulova’s sentiment. “We recognize that the federalgovernment plays a unique role in shaping the region’seconomy, its land use, transit, and its image at homeand abroad,” Mr. Acosta told the audience. “These areimportant issues that need to be addressed at thelocal, regional, and federal levels.”

The event included a panel discussion moderated bylocal journalist Kojo Nnamdi. Speakers includedWilliam Halal, science professor at George WashingtonUniversity; Anna Motschenbacher, fellow at the PewCenter on Global Climate Change; and Alice M. Rivlin,visiting professor at Georgetown University and asenior fellow in economics at the Brookings Institution. The panel focused on the economy, technology, andclimate change as related to the environment.

According to Ms. Rivlin, the city has a vast knowledgebase to draw upon. “We need to envision the future,but we also need to translate it back into what we doin the present that will make 2050 better,” she said.

Fellow panelist William Halal advocatedpositioning the region as a globalknowledge center. “Knowledge is themost valuable resource we have,” saidMr. Halal. “We’re going to see anexplosion of more IT and e-commerce inthe next five years or so.”

Following panel remarks, attendeesbroke into nine groups. Each groupanalyzed a set of four scenariosdepicting conditions in the year 2050, as imagined byfuturist Bob Olson. These included Hot and Gridlocked,Federal Dispersal, Cooperation in Hard Times, andHigh Tech Green. The groups predicted futurechallenges and identified a number of importantthemes, which MWCOG published in a summaryreport. The themes, or “Ten Big Moves,” includepursuing transit-oriented development, leveragingemerging sustainable technologies, developing greater Washington as a knowledge hub, andstrengthening regionalism.

“Effectively blending the federal government’s role withthe efforts of regional authorities is critical to enablingthe area to work together to successfully address keychallenges of the future,” said David Robertson,MWCOG’s executive director.

The “Ten Big Moves” generated in the scenarioworkshop are currently being used by MWCOG and itspartners to inform stakeholders about regional goalsand policies in order to help guide strategic decisionmaking. The moves also serve as useful resources totest proposed goals and gauge the level of riskassociated with each.

“If we work together, we can be well prepared for thefuture,” concluded NCPC’s Julia Koster, who helpedwith organizing the workshop. “But more importantlywe can also make this one of the most forwardthinking regions in the country.”


Redefining the Region

Working Together to Shape the Future

Coordinating federal and regionalefforts is critical to shaping thearea’s future.


Local/Federal Partnerships

A City ReimaginedIn spring 2009, NCPC and the U.S. Commission of FineArts adopted the agencies’ joint Monumental CoreFramework Plan: Connecting New Destinations with theNational Mall. The plan is an ambitious effort to revitalizeand better connect federal precincts surrounding theNational Mall.

The Framework Plan focuses on four key areas: SouthwestRectangle, Potomac Park, Northwest Rectangle, and theFederal Triangle. While home to numerous federal officesthat house thousands of employees, these precincts arelacking in the amenities and attractions necessary for adynamic, exciting 21st century destination.

The Framework Plan seeks to bring the vibrancy of thecity and the civic qualities of the Mall to these areas byoffering new restaurants, shops, museums, and othercultural attractions. Mixed-use opportunities will enablethese districts to become more attractive to the peoplewho work there, while serving as new destinations forWashington’s residents and tourists.

The creation of new destinations can help takepressure off the National Mall. Currently, growingdemands on the Mall threaten its beauty and openspace, but by improving nearby districts, memorial andmuseum sponsors will be able to choose from inspiringalternative sites.

The Framework Plan also seeks to better connect thefederal precincts to the center city and Washington’swaterfront. For example, the Southwest waterfront isjust a short walk from the National Mall along 10thStreet, SW. However, existing infrastructure does littleto entice pedestrians to take a stroll from theSmithsonian Castle to the water’s edge.

Connections to the water can be greatly improved byadding new sidewalks and bike paths, removing barriers,and making the area more transit accessible.

The Framework Plan continues NCPC’s long-termefforts, envisioned in Extending the Legacy, to betterposition federal land throughout the city as preeminentlocations for memorials and museums.

Activitating Federal Spaces

One way to extend the vibrancy of the city into federalprecincts is to integrate mixed-use activities into theground floors of federal buildings. Currently, the areassurrounding and within many federal facilities are emptyafter traditional work hours because there are no activeuses located within the buildings’ ground floors. Whenthe workers depart at the end of the work day, the areais quickly deserted. By providing retail, service-orientedbusinesses, and restaurants on the ground floor or plazalevel, federal facilities can contribute to the vitality oftheir surrounding area by attracting evening andweekend crowds.

With the exception of the Ronald Reagan Building andInternational Trade Center––one of the most activefederal buildings in the country––federal facilities inthe National Capital Region offer few, if any, mixed-useopportunities. One of the first initiatives of theFramework Plan now underway is the examination oftransforming federal facilities into mixed-use, publiclyaccessible buildings.

To jump-start the process, NCPC––in partnership withthe General Services Administration––hosted a publicdiscussion in May to discuss this very topic. The event,Reimagining the Federal Superblock, brought togethermembers of the public, federal agency representatives,and local officials to discuss potential strategies foractivating federal buildings and precincts.

The forum generated a number of proposals rangingfrom incorporating housing into federal headquartersto transforming Pennsylvania Avenue between theWhite House and the U.S. Capitol into a great streetmore worthy of its reputation. Participants alsodiscussed potential roadblocks, including thechallenge of balancing security elements andaccessibility.

“Is security the biggest challenge or is it the biggestexcuse?” asked Bill Dowd, director of the PhysicalPlanning division at NCPC. “Is it something that we canaddress or do we live with the expectation thatbecause we need security, we can’t let people infederal buildings?”

The ideas generated during the discussion are helpingNCPC, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and otherpartnering agencies who are working to make federalprecincts more exciting destinations in the nation’scapital. A summary report exploring best practices willbe published and made available to the public.Ultimately, the goal is that as new federal buildings arebuilt, and existing buildings are retrofitted, thestrategies outlined in the Framework Plan can helpenliven the city and enhance America’s capital.

10th Street, SW

Another Framework Plan initiative underway is theexamination of the 10th Street corridor, which is roughlydefined as the area from 7th to 12th streets, SW,extending from Independence Avenue south to theBanneker Overlook. This prime location lies between theNational Mall and the Southwest waterfront; however, inits current configuration, 10th Street draws few visitorsfrom the Mall to the nearby waterfront.

The Framework Plan seeks to remedy this bytransforming the 10th Street corridor into a vibrant,mixed-use cultural boulevard, lined with museums,shops, and parks. Such a transformation would create anexciting destination that would better connect the Mall tothe waterfront, attract visitors to this quadrant of the city,and showcase innovative and sustainable developmentpractices that would capture, manage, and reuse amajority of energy, water, and waste on site.

NCPC issued a request for proposals to undertake adetailed transportation infrastructure study for thecorridor. The selected consultant will provide threedifferent alternatives for reconfiguring thetransportation infrastructure of the 10th Streetcorridor. Each alternative will examine road layouts,public space, and their impact on the adjacentbuildings. Possible ways to deck I-395 to create infilldevelopment sites also will be included.



Four Corners

Existing conditions

Memorial in the Park

Center of Centers

NCPC, the District Department of Transportation(DDOT), and the District Office of Planning (DCOP)partnered to examine options to change the sectionbetween Michigan and Hawaii Avenue, NE. The areais approximately one half of a mile in length and fourblocks in width. The segment currently acts as abarrier between communities, particularly at thecloverleaf intersection with Irving Street where anaverage of 32,000 cars pass each week. Federaland local officials hope to make the area a morewalkable, transit-oriented gateway with public parksand a stronger sense of place.

Each of the three proposals in the North CapitolStreet Urban Design Feasibility Study look at ways toremove the cloverleaf; create better connectivitybetween adjacent areas including the Armed ForcesRetirement Home, Catholic University, and the VAMedical Center; and provide opportunities for newpublic amenities and development.

The first scenario, Memorial in the Park, wouldreroute North Capitol Street and create a 7.5 acrepark with a prominent location for a commemorativework. A second option, referred to as Four Corners,features a new traffic roundabout, with Irving Streetbelow the circle. This alternative would allow for a 10 acre park featuring a site for a memorial. Theleast-expensive option, Center of Centers, wouldrequire the least amount of infrastructure changes.

While it would create more development than thefirst two scenarios, it would feature a smaller, 2.6 acre community park.

“In order to accomplish this, there was a need toreimagine the transportation system––the majorfeature of which was a highway––to include walkablestreetscapes; enhanced bicycle, pedestrian and transitfacilities; and interesting destinations for shopping,cultural activities and recreation,” said Anita Hairston,chief of staff for DCOP.

DDOT commissioned the architectural firm ofEhrenkrantz, Eckstut, & Kuhn to study the sectioncovered in the report. The findings of the study areavailable at NCPC’s Web site www.ncpc.gov underpublications. NCPC staff continues working withDCOP and DDOT staff on ways to implement theproject, and to examine how to better connect theeastern and western sections of the study area.



North Capitol Envisioned as New Walkable Gateway

Three different scenarios to transform North CapitolStreet from a suburban-style commuter arterial intoan attractive gateway to the nation’s capital areavailable for review following a six-month jointlocal/federal study.

There was a need to reimagine the

transportation system––the major

feature of which was a highway––to

include walkable streetscapes;

enhanced bicycle, pedestrian and

transit facilities; and interesting

destinations for shopping, cultural

activities, and recreation.

Anita Hairston

Chief of Staff, DC Office of Planning



CapitalSpace Plan Moves to FruitionGreat cities are often defined by their parks and open space. A city’s green space providesnumerous benefits to residents, workers, andvisitors including locations for recreation,relaxation, and contemplation.

The nation’s capital is no exception, and it isuniquely fortunate in having almost 25 percent of itsland––9,300 acres––dedicated to parks and openspace. However, despite having one of the highestper capita ratios of green space per resident of anycity in the country, Washington lacks a compre-hensive view of the city’s open space.

To remedy this situation, NCPC, the National ParkService, and the government of the District ofColumbia joined together to create the CapitalSpacepartnership. The first comprehensive analysis ofWashington’s parks and open space in almost 40years, CapitalSpace envisions a beautiful, high-quality, and unified park system.

In fiscal year 2009, the partners developed a draftplan refining its six big ideas. These principles willguide the future CapitalSpace plan by makingrecommendations for maximizing current resources,addressing current as well as future needs, andmaking the most of existing opportunities.

The Six Big Ideas are: linking the Fort Circle Parks,improving public schoolyards, enhancing urbannatural areas, improving playfields, enhancing centercity parks, and transforming small parks. Together,these ideas focus on eight key action items:

Improve overall access to our public open space Improve the availability and use of our playfields Complete the Fort Circle Parks hiker-biker trail Promote the value of our Fort Circle Parks Ensure that schoolyards meet community

recreational needs Make downtown parks more inviting and active Launch a District-wide ecosystem consortium Improve maintenance and use of small parks.

CapitalSpace is already having an impact. On EarthDay 2009, District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fentyidentified implementation of the CapitalSpacerecommendations as a key park action item in hisGreen DC agenda. To stay current on CapitalSpacenews, visit www.capitalspace.gov.

As the largest employer in the National CapitalRegion, the federal government has a central role inhelping the area become more sustainable. As thefederal planning agency for the capital city andsurrounding region, NCPC can help shape newsustainability efforts led by the federal government.

The Monumental Core Framework Plan is just oneexample of NCPC’s efforts to improve sustainabilityin the region. It has as one of its guiding themes theadvancement of sustainability in the urbanenvironment. The plan seeks to revitalize fourfederal districts near the National Mall by combininggood urban design principles with soundenvironmental practices.

The plan proposes strategies that focus on buildings,infrastructure, and the ecology. Examples includepromoting the development of renewable energytechnology, upgrading existing infrastructure usinggreen technology, promoting energy-efficienttransportation, and reestablishing the urban treecanopy along streetscapes and development sites.

These strategies will provide a comprehensive path tofurther the region’s investment in makingcommunities more sustainable.

NCPC has established an interagency task force tofocus on the 10th Street corridor in the Southwestprecinct. In cooperation with other federal partnersand the District of Columbia, this effort will examine

energy efficiency and stormwater management for acluster of federal buildings covering an area ofapproximately ten blocks. The goal is to improveenergy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,and better manage stormwater. Specific recommen-dations are expected to be developed in late 2010.

Another way to engage the federal government inthis important discussion is through participation onthe Climate, Energy and Environment PolicyCommittee hosted by the Metropolitan WashingtonCouncil of Governments. Created in April 2009, thediverse group seeks to implement goals presented inthe National Capital Region Climate Report that willreduce greenhouse gas in the region. NCPC’s chair,L. Preston Bryant, Jr. sits on this committee.

NCPC also takes a number of steps in-house to makethe agency’s offices greener. The agency’s GreenCommittee led a campaign for decreased energy usethat urges all staff to turn off office lights during timesof absence, both during and after business hours. In addition, the agency has increased its recyclingefforts, added environmentally friendly products to thebreak room, and purchased two bicycles to allow forenvironmentally friendly travel to meetings.


As urban areas continue to grow, they increasingly faceissues regarding how their energy use, water runoff,pollution, and growth will affect the local environment.

NCPC Promotes

Sustainability in the Region

Federal Triangle Stormwater Study Underway

To better understand the potential impacts ofstormwater flooding in the Federal Triangle area indowntown Washington, NCPC, along with severalother federal agencies and the District of Columbiaare working together on a stormwater study.

This area-wide review will examine the potentialimpacts of stormwater and possible ways to mitigateflood risks. The study will consider both site-specificand area-wide approaches, and will look atopportunities to incorporate green solutions.

Due to low elevation, the Federal Triangle andConstitution Avenue are prone to flooding when thesewer system’s capacity is surpassed. In June 2006,following a week of heavy rainfall, flooding occurredin the Federal Triangle area, damaging several

government buildings, affecting transportation andinfrastructure systems, and temporarily halting somefederal operations.

The interagency team of NCPC, the General ServicesAdministration, the Smithsonian Institution, FederalEmergency Management Agency, DC Office ofPlanning, DC Department of the Environment, andthe DC Water and Sewer Authority will work with aconsulting firm to develop several products by thesummer of 2010.

These include modeling the existing stormwatersystem and hydrology in the Federal Triangle Area;creating predictions of flood levels and locationsduring different storm events in the study area;and identifying and evaluating potential strategiesto provide site-specific and/or area-widestormwater control.


The efforts include designing a new NCPC logothat better reflects the work and mission of theagency, a redesigned Web site, and thedevelopment of online social media tools. Thechanges employ new technologies that allowstaff to disclose information quickly and in amore readily accessible manner.

The newly minted graphic––a stylized version of aWashington, DC street grid––is intended to helpconstituents more easily associate the agency’slogo with planning and urban design.

“A good logo speaks to who we are and what wedo,” said Public Affairs Director Lisa MacSpadden.“The design we’ve chosen not only better reflectsour mission, but also our legacy of building uponthe historic plans of Washington.”

In overhauling the agency’s Web site, staffstreamlined the text, created more user-friendlynavigation tools, increased the use of helpful visuals,and improved access to agency documents.

The enhanced site is geared toward local andnational audiences and includes a new sectioncalled “Your Capital.” Visitors who are interestedin learning about America’s capital city can viewthe various local, regional, and federal agenciesthat play a role in planning for the nation’scapital. The section also highlights many of thehigh-profile projects in which NCPC has played akey role.

NCPC responded to President Obama’s goal ofcreating an unparalleled level of openness ingovernment by taking steps that have made it easier for the public to learn about ourplanning activities.

New Look for NCPC

Agency Responds to Administration’s Call for Greater Transparency


The introduction of the logo and the launch of the Web site coincidedwith the publication of NCPC’s first foray into social media with aFacebook page. While some of the information on Facebook iscomparable to what’s on the agency’s Web site, the Facebook pageprovides a new outlet for engaging with a more diverse audience. Inaddition to providing useful information about planning activities, theFacebook site enables members of the public to post their commentson a wide range of issues. The page even features a photo album ofhistoric photos, including early designs for some of Washington’smost iconic structures that never came to fruition. Also featured arefrequently requested images and links to partnering agencies.

NCPC also responded to the President’s challenge by improving itsinteragency communications. Agency realignments have enabledmanagement to maximize staff resources, and the creation of a newdivision, the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, is allowing for greatercoordination with federal, local, and regional agencies.


The Way Back Machine on NCPC’s Facebook page is used to

highlight the origins of various regional landmarks, such as the

Kennedy Center, shown above.

The 2009 presidential inauguration brought much needed attention to the importance and significance of the National Mall, a destination that attracts more than 20 million annual visitors.

Improving the National Mall

Enhancing and Preserving America’s Premier Gathering Place

In many ways, the nation’s “front yard” is a victim of its own popularity. Thousands of visitorsoften gather there daily, some to take in the sights of America’s most beloved memorials andmuseums, others to demonstrate for a cause in which they believe. Whatever the reason for itsuse, it has become clear over the years that the Mall is vulnerable and that one of America’smost beloved national treasures is at risk.

While its care and maintenance is primarily handled by the National Park Service, manypartnering agencies are dedicated to the Mall’s preservation and protection. NCPC worksclosely with the National Park Service, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Smithsonian Institution,and other entities to ensure that the National Mall continues to serve as a premier civicgathering place worthy of the nation.

Much work has been done in the past year to restore the beauty of the Mall, enhance thenation’s civic stage, and improve the visitor experience. From developing plans for animproved park levee on the Mall, to creating a better wayfinding system, importantimprovements are underway.


Securing the Potomac Park Levee

NCPC continued its work with partnering agencies todesign an improved levee on the National Mall nearConstitution Avenue and 17th Street, NW.

Staff collaborated closely with the National ParkService, the District Department of Transportation,the District Office of Planning, and the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers on a plan to provide a moresecure temporary closure system for the 17th Streetlevee. The work is necessary to provide adequateflood protection in accordance with more stringentrequirements adopted by the Corps after HurricaneKatrina. The Mall levee protects central Washingtonfrom overbank flooding of the Potomac River.Without upgrades to its system of temporaryclosures, much of Washington’s monumental corewill lie within the 100-year floodplain.

Members of the National Capital PlanningCommission approved Phase I of preliminary andfinal site development plans in May 2009. Thedesign consists of a post-and-panel barrierconnected to masonry walls and earthen berms. TheCommission also commented favorably on theconcept design for Phase II of the levee system,which will include elements to enhance the levee’svisual elements and blend with the setting of theNational Mall. Tree replanting and grading is presentin both phases of construction.

Improved Wayfinding on the Mall

To better assist visitors to the National Mall, theNational Park Service will be installing a new signagesystem for one of America's most visited sites.

In May, NCPC approved preliminary and final sitedevelopment plans for the installation of new rulesand regulations signs as well as signs identifying ParkService facilities. The project is the first of a three-partinitiative aimed at improving wayfinding on theNational Mall.

NCPC gave final approval in July for pylons and mapkiosks for the National Mall and East Potomac Park.The Commission approved a request to replace morethan 100 existing map and directional signs with 113pedestrian guide pylons and map kiosks.

The third phase of the plan, memorial identificationsigns will be reviewed at a later date.


Rendering of proposed closure system for Potomac Park Levee

Existing FEMA floodplain

Proposed FEMA floodplain

Image of FEMA floodplain area in the monumental corereflecting the existing area and the proposed floodplain ifupgrades aren’t made to the system of temporary closures.

Upgraded Security, Cleaner Water,Better Seating at the Lincoln Memorial

When completed, rehabilitation plans for the LincolnMemorial will result in the addition of integratedsecurity elements, a refurbished Reflecting Pool, andnew seating to accommodate the millions of annualvisitors to this popular memorial. NCPC commentedfavorably in September 2009 on concept planssubmitted by the National Park Service torehabilitate the grounds on the east side of theLincoln Memorial, as well as adjacent areas in WestPotomac Park.

The plans call for rehabilitating the Elm Walks oneither side of the Reflecting Pool, as well as adding12-foot wide paths on both sides of the ReflectingPool, where visitors now walk on unpaved surfaces.The Elm Walks, which extend past the World War IIMemorial to 17th Street, NW, would be refurbishedwith new lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.The project is funded by the American Recovery andReinvestment Act.

Security elements that will be integrated into thedesign include two new ADA-accessible paths thatwill connect Lincoln Memorial Circle with theReflecting Pool, without altering the historic centralstairs. The design calls for incorporating retainingwalls and bollards into the landscape near the newADA-accessible paths. NCPC recommended that thePark Service use lower retaining walls so they can beused for sitting and be compatibly integrated into thehistoric landscape. As the project advances, it alsowill address the source and quality of the water inthe Reflecting Pool.



Panel of Design Professionals Raise Concerns about the National Mall

A blue ribbon panel led by the American Society ofLandscape Architects (ASLA) had some serious words ofconcern about the condition of the National Mall,following its assessment of the National Park Service’splan for America’s premier civic space.

The panel of leading design professionals referred to theMall as a symbol of democracy that should sit amongAmerica’s top civic spaces, but added that its direcondition required immediate attention. In a statementreleased to the public in April, the panel described theNational Mall as being “in a state of crisis that hasreached an internationally embarrassing level.”

“The National Mall should stand solidly among theworld’s foremost public spaces, yet the crisis ofmaintenance has created a deplorable situation,” saidASLA President Angela Dye, FASLA. “The panel calls onCongress and the Administration to help bring theNational Mall back to life, to ensure its position as asymbol of the nation and one of the great landscapes ofthe world.”

The six-member panel praised the Park Service for itstireless efforts to maintain the Mall and commended theNational Capital Planning Commission and the U.S.Commission of Fine Arts for their joint work on theMonumental Core Framework Plan. The panelencouraged NCPC and CFA to move forward with theirwork to relieve pressure on the Mall by establishing newand symbolically important sites for future memorialsand museums.

Panel members Angela Dye and Gary Hilderbrand comment ontheir reaction to the National Mall Plan during a news conference.

National Zoo Scheduled for Upgrades

In November 2008, the National Capital PlanningCommission reviewed and approved a submission bythe Smithsonian Institution to update its 1988master plan for the 163-acre National ZoologicalPark. The National Zoo is adjacent to Rock CreekPark in Washington, DC.

The new master plan lays out the Smithsonian’sproposals to upgrade zoo facilities and infrastructure,and to provide flexibility for future exhibits andcollections. The Zoo’s primary pedestrian pathway, theOlmsted Walk, will be flanked by large, multi-speciesexhibits. Current exhibits would be revitalized and flatland now being used as parking lots would beconverted to exhibit space.

As part of the plan, the Zoo’s three main entrypoints at Connecticut Avenue, North Road, andHarvard Street would be refurbished and featureimproved visitor facilities. In addition, theConnecticut Avenue entry point would offer a plazafor events. The plan includes a new structuredparking facility, improved accessibility for disabledpatrons, new shuttle services, and an aerial tram.The tram would connect the zoo’s entry points whileoffering visitors a unique interpretive experience andaerial perspective of the zoo and Rock Creek Park.

The Commission did not, however, approve aproposed 300-space underground parking garageand request for 35 official guest and volunteerparking spaces. The Commission noted that theapplicant’s Transportation Management Plan did notdemonstrate that the spaces would be consistentwith policies outlined in the Federal TransportationElement in the Comprehensive Plan for the NationalCapital, nor did it properly address potentiallynegative traffic impacts on surrounding roads andintersections. The Commission’s approval iscontingent upon the applicant implementingrequired mitigation actions outlined in the ExecutiveDirector’s Finding of No Significant Impact.

Saint Elizabeths to Serve asNew Home for DHS

The National Capital Planning Commission approveda proposal by the General Services Administration(GSA) in January 2009 for a final master plan for theDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS) headquartersconsolidation at St. Elizabeths, located in SoutheastWashington, DC. The Commission approved the WestCampus portion of the plan and commented favorablyon the transportation improvements and plans for theEast Campus.

The master plan will guide redevelopment of the176-acre West Campus and a portion of the 280-acre East Campus and provide a secure federal sitefor executive leadership of the 22 agencies thatmake up the Department of Homeland Security. Themaster plan seeks to maintain the historic characterof the West Campus, preserve the natural context ofthe site to the extent possible, and promotesustainable development by achieving a minimumSilver LEED rating. It includes the reuse of many ofthe existing historic buildings, and locates newdevelopment to respect the site’s historic resources.


National Zoo Master Plan

Plan and Project Review

Urban Design fora Vibrant City

U.S. Coast Guard Employees to be First Occupants at St. Elizabeths

During the May 2009 meeting, NCPC commented favorably onthe concept design for the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters(USCG HQ) and the West Ravine Parking Garage as part ofPhase 1 of the Department of Homeland Security Headquartersconsolidation at the St. Elizabeths West Campus. The USCOGHQ will occupy 1.17 million square feet and accommodate3,860 employees.

The Commission recommended further study of buildingfacades, with particular attention to the headquarters’ northernfacade, to add depth and detail and avoid the potential forvisual monotony. Other recommendations included theretention of the variety and size of plants shown in theconcept for the landscape design, and additional Section 106consultation to evaluate the feasibility of placing a cemeteryinside the secure perimeter of the West Campus. This issuemust be resolved before the security fence can be submittedfor approval.

In addition, the Commission strongly encouraged GSA to buildadditional levels of the West Ravine parking garageunderground to reduce its height and bulk. According to thesubmission, the finished parking garage will accommodateabout 2,000 cars.

The Commission reminded GSA that approval of the FinalMaster Plan for the campus is contingent upon the ability toconstruct an access road connecting Firth Sterling Avenue, SEto the modified Malcolm X Avenue, SE/I-295 Interchange,through the Shepherd Parkway.

NCPC’s approval is contingent upon several factorsincluding the ability of GSA to construct a west accessroad through the Shepherd Parkway; submission to NCPCby GSA of an amendment to the Final Master Plan forInterchange/Access Road Improvements; and submissionto NCPC by GSA of an amendment to the Final MasterPlan for the East Campus portion of the project.

When completed, the DHS headquarters will includeapproximately 4.5 million gross square feet of officespace, plus 1.5 million gross square feet of parking.Approximately 14,000 DHS employees will ultimately behoused at St. Elizabeths, beginning with the UnitedStates Coast Guard. The project is expected to beimplemented in three phases over an eight year period.



National Naval Medical Center Gets a Check-Up

In February 2009, NCPC approved a proposal by the United StatesDepartment of the Navy to update the Master Plan for the National NavalMedical Center (NNMC) located in Bethesda, Maryland. Per the 2005Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action, the Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center in Washington, DC will close. Military medical services inthe National Capital Area will therefore be split between the NationalNaval Medical Center and a new hospital at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

The approved NNMC Master Plan will guide long-term development of theapproximately 245-acre campus located on Rockville Pike in Bethesda. Itis anticipated that by 2016 annual patients and visitors will nearly doubleand building square footage will increase from 4.7 million gross squarefeet to 6.35 million gross square feet.


NCPC Prepares Federal Capital Improvements

Each year, federal agencies in the National CapitalRegion (NCR) are required to submit to NCPC theirplans for capital improvement projects for the comingsix years. Through the Federal Capital ImprovementsProgram (FCIP), NCPC compiles, reviews, and makesrecommendations on the proposed improvements tothe Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Therecommendations assist OMB in reaching budgetarydecisions about proposed regional federal capitalprojects. The FCIP is also used by the Commission toinitiate early coordination of federal projects with stateand local governments.

At its September 2009 meeting, the Commissionadopted the FY 2010-2015 FCIP. The plan contains181 proposed projects submitted by federal agencieswith an estimated total cost of $10.3 billion. Of theseprojects, 81 are in the District of Columbia, 54 are inMaryland, 44 are in Virginia, and two are elsewhere inthe NCR. The GSA has the most projects with 42, theArmy is second with 35.

Two major federal acts, the American Recovery andReinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Defense BaseClosure and Realignment Act (BRAC), greatly impactedthe current FCIP. By providing a significant infusion offunding for physical construction projects in the NCR,the ARRA enabled federal agencies to add a number ofnew projects to their capital programs. An example of amajor physical investment planned for the NCR usingARRA funding includes the half billion dollar projectsubmitted by GSA to support the conversion of the St.Elizabeths campus to a headquarters for theDepartment of Homeland Security.

BRAC, the Congressionally-authorized process that theDepartment of Defense uses to reorganize its basestructure, continues to play a role in determiningdefense related capital improvements. Among themost significant projects are the transfer of thousandsof new jobs to Fort Belvoir, Virginia and thereorganization of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center,which is estimated to cost $747 million dollars.

NCPC’s Advisory Role

In its advisory role to other planning jurisdictions inthe National Capital Area, the NCPC staff analyzedand prepared responses to multiple planninginitiatives undertaken by various metropolitanWashington planning agencies. These included theMetropolitan Washington Council of Governments,Prince George’s County Planning Department,Montgomery County Planning Department, and theMaryland National Capital Park and PlanningCommission, among others.

In any given year NCPC typically reviews betweenfour to eight regional initiatives from local planningauthorities. Among the projects reviewed by NCPC in2009 were Montgomery County’s Purple Line TransitAlignment Draft Environmental Impact Statement,the Draft EIS on White-Tailed Deer Management Planfor Rock Creek Park, Prince George’s CountySubregion 1 Preliminary Master Plan and ProposedSectional Map Amendment, and the Staff Draft ofthe Historic Sites and Districts Plan for PrinceGeorge’s County.

Union Station Secures Travelers

In October 2008, NCPC reviewed and approved asubmission from the Federal RailroadAdministration, Amtrak, and the Union StationRedevelopment Corporation for preliminary and finalsite development plans for perimeter security atUnion Station. The approved plans involve a line ofbollards and other security elements around thesouth, east, and west sides of the portico at thefront of Union Station, along with widened sidewalksat the south and east sides of the station, andassociated modifications to the curb line.

The perimeter security plans include 194 fixed andeleven removable bollards designed to meetarchitectural and urban design considerationsappropriate for the station. The bollards will bepainted black to correspond to the historic rostralcolumns in Columbus Plaza. Four new graniteneoclassical elements will be added to punctuate thebollard line at prominent piers on the station’s façade.

The Commission based its approval in part on a threatassessment and an Environmental Assessmentprovided by the applicants. The project design wasdeveloped and modified through the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National HistoricPreservation Act (NHPA) processes to balance urbandesign and pedestrian circulation requirements withthe security requirements for the station.

Daniel Burnham sited and designed Union Station.He was a member of the McMillan Commission,known for its role in envisioning and implementingmodern improvements to the nation’s capital onehundred years ago. Union Station continues torepresent and evoke the social, planning, andarchitectural history of that era. It is listed in theNational Register of Historic Places, along withColumbus Plaza.


Security Task Force

Since spring of 2001, NCPC’s Security Task Force has led theagency’s work in addressing the growth of unsightly perimetersecurity measures in the nation’s capital. Most recently, duringfiscal year 2009, the Task Force developed a set ofrecommendations for improving the way security projects areprioritized, planned, and implemented in Washington, DC.

The Task Force recommends creating a committee consisting ofsecurity, planning, and design professionals to prioritize thesecurity needs of federal facilities. The group will developrecommendations for cost efficient and appropriate solutions,all of which will consider potential impacts to the environmentand public spaces.

To ensure that creation of this committee moves forward, theTask Force suggested that the proposed committee and itsresponsibilities be specifically outlined. NCPC’s Director ofPhysical Planning, William Dowd, addressed this matter duringtestimony before the House Subcommittee on EconomicDevelopment, Public Buildings, and Emergency ManagementOversight in September.

Also under review by the Task Force is the closure of E Streetsouth of the White House. The impact of the street’s closure inthe wake of September 11 is not only unsightly, but it hasnegatively affected east-west traffic flow through downtownWashington. The Task Force reached an agreement with the U.S.Secret Service and the National Park Service, which owns thestreet, to generate creative and thoughtful ideas to best addressurban design and security issues caused by the closure.

Currently chaired by NCPC Chairman L. Preston Bryant, Jr., theTask Force consists of a subset of Commission members andkey security partners including representatives from theDepartment of Defense, Department of Homeland Security,Department of the Interior, General Services Administration, theSenate and House Committees with oversight of the District,and the District of Columbia government.

Security for a Changing World


Vietnam Veterans MemorialVisitor Center Advances

At the June 2009 meeting, NCPC commented onrevised concept designs submitted by the NationalPark Service (NPS) for the Vietnam Veterans MemorialVisitor Center. The Center is slated for the grounds ofthe Lincoln Memorial bounded by Constitution Avenue,Henry Bacon Drive, Lincoln Memorial Circle, and 23rdStreet, NW in Washington, DC.

The Commission acknowledged the project’ssignificance and the difficult challenge in designinga Visitor Center at this historically significant andsensitive site on the National Mall. The project isrequired to meet 14 specific design guidelines jointlydeveloped by NCPC and the U.S. Commission of FineArts to comply with the Commemorative Works Act.

NCPC noted that the submitted design met seven ofthe 14 design guidelines, did not meet four others,and that three remaining design guidelines neededto be addressed by the National Park Service. TheCommission also reminded the Park Service of theadditional requirement that it identify a site within onehalf of a mile of the current location for a displacedball field.

The Commission recommended three changes to thedesign to which the applicant agreed: eliminating theproposed walkway from Constitution Avenue,eliminating the building’s skylights, and reducing thesize of the building’s courtyard.

Dwight D. Eisenhower MemorialFinds a Home, DC Gets a Gehry

In November 2008, representatives of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission provided astatus report on plans to build a memorial honoringAmerica’s 34th president. The memorial will belocated on a four-acre site on Independence Avenue,across from Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum.

The Commission received an overview of keyobjectives and critical design elements that willreflect Eisenhower’s best known roles as SupremeAllied Commander in World War II and later asPresident of the United States.

The Memorial Commission said its goal is totransform the site into a great urban space that canserve as a benchmark for memorialization in the21st century. In March 2009, the Dwight D.Eisenhower Memorial Commission announced that itselected architect Frank Gehry to design the facility.

Commemoration

in the Nation’s Capital


Memorial to Victims of theUkrainian Manmade Famine

In October 2008 NCPC approved a parcel of federallyowned land west of Union Station as the site for theMemorial to Victims of the Ukrainian Manmade Famineof 1932-1933. The approval is conditioned uponmitigation required in the Executive Director’s Finding ofNo Significant Impact (FONSI) for the site selection.

Reservation 78, which is 3,100 square feet in size, wasone of two sites submitted by the National Park Serviceon behalf of the government of Ukraine. The site islocated at the intersection of North Capitol Street,Massachusetts Avenue, and F Street in NorthwestWashington, DC near the National Postal Museum.

The proposed memorial has not yet been designed, butthe applicant has stated that it is expected to be acontemplative space with a small-scale memorialelement appropriate for a landscaped setting.

Designs on the National Museum of African American History and Culture

In December 2008 representatives from the NationalMuseum of African American History and Culture andthe Smithsonian Institution provided members of theCommission with an update on the future museum.

The Smithsonian has finished the programmaticrequirements for the projected 350,000-400,000 grosssquare foot building. Forty percent of the space will bedevoted to permanent and temporary exhibitions andtwenty-one percent to other public uses. TheSmithsonian anticipates having outdoor public spaces,incorporating perimeter security elements into thedesign, and making sure that green and sustainabilityaspects are major features.

In April, the Smithsonian announced the winner of themuseum’s design competition as Freelon AdjayeBond/SmithGroup. The building will take up to three yearsto complete, with construction slated to begin in 2012.The museum’s total cost is estimated to be $500 million.

Interest in the agency’s work in planning for theNational Capital Region remains strong. Numerousgroups visited the Commission this past year tolearn about its role in planning for the nation’scapital, including delegations from China, Japan,Kenya, and Vietnam.

Sustainability and commemoration were among thetopics of interest to many of the visiting delegations.In February, senior-level professionals from theFederal Executive Institute met with NCPC staff toexamine the short and long-term challenges ofmaking the federal government a more sustainableentity. In May, Australia’s chair of the Walter BurleyGriffin Society in Canberra spent a day at NCPClearning about the Monumental Core FrameworkPlan and how it incorporates sustainable practicesinto proposed strategies designed to enliven federalprecincts. Mr. Bret Odgers also was eager to learnhow NCPC’s 1997 Extending the Legacy plan servedas a guide to Canberra’s National Capital Authoritywhen it prepared the Griffin Legacy plan in 2004.

The process of commemoration and NCPC’s role inreviewing and approving memorials was the focus ofseveral student presentations during the fiscal year.In February, a class from Virginia Tech’s UrbanDesign Seminar participated in an exercise designedto engage them in the process of siting anddesigning a commemorative work. Working withNCPC staff, the class reviewed the UkrainianManmade Famine Memorial, walking through thevarious steps of project review. In April, studentsparticipating in the College of William & Mary’sprogram in Washington learned the various aspectsof moving a national commemorative work fromvision to reality. The students were both fascinatedand surprised to learn that the length of completingthe memorial process averages ten years from

concept to dedication. Commemoration was also thetopic at hand when more than 40 students fromCanada’s Ryerson University visited NCPC inSeptember to explore the similarities and differencesbetween the commemorative process in Canada andthe United States.

NCPC looks forward to hearing the findings preparedby a visiting professor from Cambridge, England whospent time at NCPC in the spring to examine howurban renewal plans helped shape the NationalCapital Region. Professor Goran Therborn ispreparing a research paper on how national capitalsfunction as seats of power. He expects to publish hisreport in 2010.

NCPC also was delighted to have a visitor from downunder kick off the agency’s speaker series in May.Australian architect Melinda Dodson spoke before alively audience weeks prior to her induction as thepresident of the Australian Institute of Architects. Ms. Dodson addressed a group of architects andplanners about Australia’s efforts to battle urbansprawl and make the country more green andsustainable. The event was a preview to the speakerseries NCPC will hold in 2010.


Outreach

Visiting Delegations Keep NCPC PlannersEngaged Locally and Abroad

Australian architect Melinda Dodson and NCPC ExecutiveDirector Marcel Acosta, shown prior to the evening lecture.


Financial Report

The National Capital Planning Commission met its core objectives,undertook several new initiatives, and completed a majorsignature planning effort, the Monumental Core Framework Planin Fiscal Year 2009, without increasing expenditures above theprevious year’s levels.

NCPC maintained its plan and project review activities at peakefficiency, while continuing its work on key initiatives aimed atenhancing the nation’s capital and surrounding region. Effortsincluded CapitalSpace, a joint initiative to improve the city’s parksand open spaces, and Building the Region Together, a joint eventwith the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments aimedat improving partnerships between the region and the federalgovernment.

NCPC also conducted numerous outreach efforts to extend thereach of effective planning to the design community and thegeneral public. In times of on-going financial scrutiny, the agencyhas once again improved its efforts to elevate Washington’sstanding as a world class city.

$1,013,000

$347,000

$301,000

$607,000

$930,000

$1,221,000

$1,406,000

$472,000

$967,000

$623,000

$441,000

Comprehensive Planning

Federal Capital Improvements

Plan and Project Review

Project Planning and Partnerships

Management Systems

Commission

Executive

Public Affairs

Operational Systems

Facilities Operations

Financial Management

Human Resources

Information Technology

Total Budget $8,328,000


To develop the next generation of planners, urbandesigners, and architects, NCPC staff memberscontribute time and expertise to programs for studentsranging from middle school to graduate school.

CityVision

The agency continued its work with the NationalBuilding Museum’s CityVision program, which helpsmiddle school students learn about the builtenvironment and the basic principles of architectureand urban design. In the 2009 spring semester,NCPC staff volunteered as teachers, mentors, andproject reviewers.

Students designed development plans for the areaalong Interstate-395 between Penn Quarter andUnion Station. The project focused on connecting thetwo neighborhoods with green and open spaces aswell as mixed uses. During the fall program studentsexplored ways to make three sites near the WhiteHouse more meaningful and accessible to visitors.The sites are Lafayette Square, PennsylvaniaAvenue, and E-Street/South Lawn. Each site posesunique challenges that can include a variety ofdesign solutions such as underground structures, an improved pedestrian environment, and informational kiosks.

Investigating Where We Live

NCPC staff members also served as volunteerinstructors for the National Building Museum’sInvestigating Where We Live program (IWWL). The four-week summer session teaches area high schoolstudents how to use digital cameras to explore,document, and interpret the built environment of DCneighborhoods. Many former CityVision participantsparticipate in IWWL. The 2009 class surveyed theShaw, U Street, and Columbia Heights neighborhoodsand upon completion displayed their photographs,writings, and artwork at the Building Museum.

Future Design

During the year NCPC staff provided guidance tostudents of Charles Hart Middle School in SoutheastWashington, DC. They worked with the students ontheir entry for the National Association of Realtors’annual School of the Future Design Competition.Schools from around the country competed to

redesign their schools to enhance learning, conserveresources, be environmentally responsive, andengage the surrounding community. The CharlesHart students placed among the top six teams,receiving an Honorable Mention and $500.

Higher Learning

The agency continued to support college studentsthrough its internship program, hosting threestudents over the summer from MIT, CornellUniversity, and Tufts University. The students hailedfrom diverse backgrounds and experiences, majoringin engineering, urban and regional studies, and arthistory. NCPC staff from three divisions providedguidance to the interns and gained from theirenthusiasm and fresh perspectives. The agencywelcomes the opportunity to host student interns ona year-round basis.

Several NCPC initiatives are serving as studioprojects for graduate students across the country.Graduate students from Catholic University’s Schoolof Architecture and Planning created a conceptdesign for the North Capitol Street Cloverleaf, whichis adjacent to the university’s campus. A communitymeeting for the project was the impetus for a studioexercise. The design uses the concept of “ribbons”to improve the connections across the cloverleaf,particularly between the university and the Petworthneighborhood to the west.

The Monumental Core Framework Plan sparked theimagination of faculty at the University of NotreDame’s School of Architecture. First-year graduatestudents are working with the U.S. Commission ofFine Arts (CFA) and NCPC during their fall semesterto design a science museum for the current site ofthe FBI headquarters. CFA is coordinating theproject, and NCPC’s planners are providingbackground information and contacts to help thestudents analyze the site.

The Next Generation

Transition

John VV. Cogbill, III ended eight years of distinguishedservice to the Commission in September 2009. Duringhis tenure, Mr. Cogbill oversaw the work of many keyplanning initiatives including the Monumental CoreFramework Plan. He also guided the final efforts onthe joint Memorials and Museums Master Plan, andthe award-winning Comprehensive Plan for theNational Capital: Federal Elements.

Mr. Cogbill chaired the Commission’s review ofhundreds of development projects. Among thesewere prominent commemorative works, such asthose honoring the Air Force and Martin Luther King, Jr. Noteworthy security projects included theredesign of the Washington Monument grounds andPennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. Mr. Cogbill also helped pave the way for theconstruction of federal facilities, including the U.S.Department of Transportation Headquarters and theSt. Elizabeths campus, which will serve as the futurehome for the Department of Homeland Security.

Mr. Cogbill will continue his practice as a real estateand land use attorney with the Richmond, Virginiaoffice of McGuireWoods LLP.

January 2009 also brought a change in the make-upof NCPC when John M. Hart replaced José Galvez asthe presidentially-appointed Commission memberrepresenting the state of Maryland. CommissionerGalvez concluded his six-year term on January 1 andCommissioner Hart began his term on January 5.

Mr. Hart is a principal with RTKL Associates’Planning and Urban Design Group in Washington,DC. He serves as a project manager and leaddesigner for domestic and international masterplanning and urban design projects. Mr. Hart earneda Bachelor of Architecture from Miami University,and a Master of Architecture and a Master of CityPlanning from the University of Pennsylvania.

During his six-year term, Mr. Galvez lent his urbandesign and architecture skills to many initiativesthroughout his tenure at NCPC. He served as amember of the Commission’s Executive Committee,and as chairman of the South Capitol Street TaskForce, where he led the effort to transform the streetinto a grand urban boulevard. Mr. Galvez also playeda key role in the agency’s 2008 Capitals Allianceconference, Greening the World’s Capital Cities,during which he helped to lead the Green DC tour.

Contributions

NCPC staff members gave generously of their timeand resources. They started off the fiscal year byraising more than $10,000 through a charityauction for the Combined Federal Campaign. Staffmembers donated and bid on items ranging fromconcert tickets and gift certificates to homemadebaked goods.

News & Notes & Achievements


It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as chair of the

National Capital Planning Commission. The planning and review

work performed by the agency is of the utmost importance to our

nation’s capital and to the National Capital Region.

John V. Cogbill, III

Former Chairman, NCPC

Shown left to right: Commissioner Arrington Dixon, former Chairman John V. Cogbill, III and NCPC Vice Chairman Robert Miller.

To celebrate Earth Day 2009,several staff members joined theEnvironment and NaturalResources Division (ENRD) of theDepartment of Justice to planttrees, clear trash, and pull weeds

at Marvin Gaye Park in Northeast Washington, DC.ENRD’s annual service project is supported by volunteersfrom the nonprofit Washington Parks & People as well asthe DC Department of the Environment.

NCPC made a herculean contribution over thesummer to the Feds Feed Families program, afood drive for the Capital Area Food Bank. NCPCstaff donated 3,083 pounds of food, the equivalentof 77 pounds per person. The Office of PersonnelManagement lauded NCPC for its record donationacross small, medium, and large agenciesgovernment-wide.

Recognition

NCPC’s 2008 annual report,Toward a Sustainable Future,received a first-place ThothAward in its category from thePublic Relations Society ofAmerica’s National CapitalChapter. Members of the Officeof Public Affairs attended theSeptember 2009 awards

ceremony at Washington, DC’s Willard Hotel. Theawards committee commended NCPC’s effort tounite form and function by using sustainablemethods for its production with vegetable-basedinks, with paper from sustainably cultivated trees,and at a printing plant powered entirely byrenewable wind energy. This is the third award inthree years for NCPC’s annual reports.

Capitals Alliance

As a follow-up to the successful Capitals Alliancemeeting, Greening the World’s Capitals, hosted byNCPC in September 2008, the Office of PublicAffairs released an in-depth summary reportdescribing the sixth gathering of the organization.

The 2009 Greening the World’s Capital CitiesSummary Report outlines the strategies that are beingput in place by national capitals around the world tomake their cities more livable and sustainable.

The 90 page document begins with a look atthe history of the Alliance, launched in 2001by the capital cities of Brasilia, Canberra,Ottawa, and Washington, DC. It highlights thevarious planning activities held throughout theweek-long September conference andchronicles the changes that are alreadyunderway in the respective capital cities thatparticipated in the event.

One section of the report is devotedexclusively to the series of challenges andstrategies for leading the world to a moresustainable future. This ranges from devisingsmart economic incentives to embracing newtechnology that can help jumpstart the desiredtransformation.

The conference revealed broad consensus on whatcities need to do to become sustainable: promotedenser, transit-oriented, human-scale development,with energy-efficient heat, water, power and wastesystems that mimic natural processes. Discussionson how to arrive at this common endpoint covered awide range of tactics and strategies, many of whichemphasized the importance of planning.

Delegates closed out the week with a pledge topromote green practices and policies. Thirteen of thenational capitals signed a non-binding declaration toexpress their desire to build and promotesustainable communities. A copy of the declarationis included in the Summary Report, which can beaccessed online at www.capitalsalliance.org.


U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder,shown with NCPC staff memberCarlton Hart on Earth Day

Coming in 2010


Exploring Commemorationin America’s Capital

NCPC and the National Park Service arein the early stages of collaboration on astudy, Washington as Commemoration.The joint project will explore the themesthat are important to Americans, such asthe pursuit of freedom and sacrifice inwar. The initiative will compile historicaland factual information about existingcommemorative works in the nation’s

capital. It also will build upon the agency’s goalidentified in Extending the Legacy and the Memorialsand Museums Master Plan to recognize the city as awhole as a commemorative landscape. The public willbe invited to engage in the study as project managersfurther define the scope of the project. Stay tuned inthe coming months for details on how to participate.

Establishing the Region as a Dynamic Modelof Cooperative Leadership

NCPC will continue to partner with the MetropolitanWashington Council of Governments in 2010 to buildstrong partnerships between the federal governmentand regional jurisdictions. The agencies are currentlyworking together on plans to help establish the region asa dynamic model of cooperative leadership. During theupcoming year, the partners plan to outline specificstrategies for reaching three key objectives. They includefostering regional coordination around shared goals andcreating a regional business plan; establishing theNational Capital Region as a showcase for sustainability;and linking federal investments to community,economic, and innovation development.

NCPC Responds to the President’s Call forIncreased Sustainability

Per Executive Order 13514, federalagencies must take active steps toreduce their level of greenhouse gasesand employ more sustainable practicesin the very near future. NCPC is responding by leading the 10th Street

corridor ecodistrict project. A plan will be developed forthe approximately ten-block precinct that captures,manages, and reuses energy, water and waste on site.NCPC’s ecodistrict will show how a communitycomprised of federal buildings, related publicinfrastructure, and open space can function togetheras an environmentally low-impact unit.

CapitalSpace Offers Comprehensive Viewof City’s Green Space

Following a 60-day public comment period held early inthe 2010 fiscal year, the CapitalSpace partners willissue a final plan for the city’s parks and open space inearly 2010. The plan’s partners are now reviewingdozens of comments offered by members of the publicon the draft plan. The final plan will guide future parksdecisions in order to improve the use, accessibility, andmaintenance of the city’s green space.

Federal Triangle Heritage Trail

NCPC will soon release the Federal Triangle HeritageTrail Assessment Study, a report that identifies theresearch, outreach, and collaboration necessary tosuccessfully implement a Neighborhood Heritage Trailin the Federal Triangle. As a key objective in theMonumental Core Framework Plan, the heritage trailhas the potential to improve connections betweendowntown and the National Mall, while at the sametime highlighting the rich social, cultural, architectural,and agency history of the Federal Triangle through aseries of illustrated signs.


Office of the Executive DirectorMarcel C. Acosta, Executive DirectorBarry S. Socks, Chief Operating OfficerChristine L. Saum, Chief Urban DesignerLois Schiffer, General Counsel

Office of the Secretariat Deborah B. Young, SecretariatMarcella M. Brown, Information Resources SpecialistLong Diep, Management and Program Assistant

Office of Public Affairs Lisa N. MacSpadden, DirectorWilliam Herbig, Urban PlannerPaul A. Jutton, Graphic Designer Denise V. Powers, Senior Writer-EditorScott Sowers, Senior Writer-EditorStephen O. Staudigl, Public Affairs Specialist

Office of AdministrationC. Jody Rieder, Director Stefanie D. Brown, Support Services SpecialistTony D. Champ, Information Technology ManagerCamille R. Lewis, Human Resources AssistantPatricia Thompson, Information Receptionist Phyllis A. Vessels, Human Resources Officer Roszonna E. Whitsett, Management Assistant

Office of Intergovernmental AffairsJulia A. Koster, DirectorAndrea L. Lytle, Urban Planner

Physical Planning DivisionWilliam G. Dowd, DirectorElizabeth D. Miller, Sr. Urban PlannerSarah Moulton, Urban Planner Amy Tarce, Urban Planner Diane Sullivan, Urban Planner Kenneth T. Walton, Architect - Urban Design

Policy & Research DivisionMichael A. Sherman, DirectorKael W. Anderson, Urban Planner Eugene A. Keller, Urban PlannerLucy Kempf, Urban PlannerStacy T. Wood, Urban PlannerDavid A. Zaidain, Sr. Urban Planner

Urban Design & Plan Review DivisionDavid W. Levy, DirectorShane L. Dettman, Urban Planner Carlton E. Hart, Urban PlannerJeffrey L. Hinkle, Urban PlannerCheryl Kelly, Urban PlannerMichael W. Weil, Urban Planner Nancy Witherell, Historic Preservation Officer

Presidential AppointeesL. Preston Bryant, Jr., NCPC ChairmanHerbert F. AmesJohn M. Hart

Mayoral AppointeesArrington DixonStacie S. Turner

Ex Officio MembersThe Honorable Robert M. GatesSecretary of DefenseRepresented by Ralph E. Newton

The Honorable Ken SalazarSecretary of the InteriorRepresented by Peter May

The Honorable Paul F. ProutyActing Administrator of General ServicesRepresented by Michael S. McGill

The Honorable Joseph I. LiebermanChairman, Committee on Homeland Security andGovernmental AffairsU.S. SenateRepresented by Elyse Greenwald

The Honorable Edolphus TownsChairman, Committee on Oversight and Government ReformU.S. House of RepresentativesRepresented by William Miles

The Honorable Adrian M. FentyMayor, District of ColumbiaRepresented by Harriet Tregoning

The Honorable Vincent C. GrayChairman, Council of the District of ColumbiaRepresented by Robert E. Miller, NCPC Vice Chairman

Current Commission Members

Current Staff Members

Commission and Staff

L. Preston Bryant, Jr. Herbert F. Ames John M. Hart Arrington Dixon Stacie S. Turner Ralph E. Newton

Peter May Michael S. McGill Harriet Tregoning Robert E. MillerWilliam MilesElyse Greenwald

NCPC0900385

The Federal Planning Agency for America’s Capital

national capital planning commission annual report 2009

Documents