Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon and welcome to the National Capital Planning Commission's February 5th, 2026 open session. First, Megan, could you please take the roll call? Yes. Commissioner Kart here. Commissioner Schaefer here. Commissioner STDM here. Commissioner Argo here. Vice Chairman Levenbach here. Chairman Sharf here. Commissioner Blair, believe he's here. Commissioner Ingia here. Commissioner Dixon here. Commissioner Cash, present. Commissioner Henderson here.

Commissioner McGawan here. Marcel Aosta, executive director, and Diane Sullivan, current planning division director are also in the meeting. With those present, Mr. Chairman, we have a quorum.

Thank you, Megan. Uh, noting the presence of a quorum, I hereby call this meeting to order. Uh today's meeting is livereamed and will be available on the NCPC website uh in a few days as is our custom. Um if there's no objection on the floor, the agenda as posted is adopted as the order of business. Um hearing no objections, we will proceed uh with the pledge of allegiance. If everyone would please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Uh, thank you. Um, agenda item two is the report of the chair. Um, I'd just like to say a few things quickly. Uh, first of all, what a year this has been for NCPC. Uh, last meeting we had the Eastwing modernization project. We had the Arabian leopards which I was particularly excited about at the zoo and uh this week in this month in addition to number of other important projects uh we have uh the commander stadium um coming before us for the first time um other than the the previousformational session. Uh really exciting project very important for the future of the city. uh and we're excited uh excited for that in addition to obviously our consent calendar items andformational presentations uh on the agenda as well. Um looking ahead uh our next meeting, our March 2026 meeting um our current plan uh given uh agenda items that are expected for that meeting um including the ballroom coming back before us uh and the public interest in those items. Uh our current plan is to do that March meeting uh virtually on Thursday, March 5th, 2026. Um now I want to give a little bit of explanation as to how that decision was arrived at so that there's no misunderstanding. uh NCPC staff recommended to me that we do uh that March meeting uh virtually given their past experience with other projects that have had significant public attention uh and that warranted significant public input. Uh conducting that meeting virtually uh allows us to u more readily accommodate um public comment including from people who aren't local to Washington DC. Uh I presented um that proposed plan in addition to a number of other uh potential options to

the executive uh the executive committee uh of the NCPC. Um I was particularly interested in that meeting in Commissioner Dixon's uh input given that he is the longest serving member of the executive committee. Um in the end it was our unanimous recommendation um or it was our unanimous view uh to hold that March meeting virtually uh assuming that there is actually uh significant public interest in commenting on projects that are coming before us at that meeting. Uh so in light of that the executive committee unanimously adopted the recommendation of staff that that March meeting be held virtually and that's why we are planning currently to conduct it virtually. Should the situation change, should there not be as much public comment uh as is as we expect, uh we still have the option to move that meeting back uh to our our customary hybrid format. Uh but as of now, we are planning on that meeting uh being virtual only. Um all that having been said, I'd also like to welcome uh Paul and Gracia to the NCPC. This is his first meeting. Um he is here as a design of Ed Forest uh the new administrator of the GSA. Uh Paul is an attorney and the acting general counsel at GSA. Uh we were honored to have Ed Forest uh at our last meeting and it's great to have Paul here today. Um you're going to have a lot of fun. This is an incredible commission with a storied history and uh if you don't know anything about um cell towers, you're going to learn an awful lot about them in the coming months. Uh with that, I have nothing further and agenda item three is the report of our executive director, Marcel Aosta.

Thank you, Chair Sharf, and I welcome Commissioner Gracia to the commission. Uh I have one matter uh of public interest. The National Park Service is seeking public comments on environmental assessment for the title basin development concept plan. Comments are due by March 5th. Uh we also expect the title basin concept plan to be on our commission's March agenda and more information and a link to the uh park services EA site is available on our website. Uh this concludes my update. My floor report is in your packet and I'm happy to answer any questions that you might. Thank you very much, Marcel. Uh if there are no questions from commissioners, uh we'll proceed to agenda item four, which is the legislative update, uh presented by our secretary and general counsel, uh Megan Hodddle Cox.

I don't have any specific legislative items to provide an update on this month, but I'm happy to answer any questions on pending ones if anyone has one.

Do any commissioners have any questions for Megan on pending legislative matters? Uh hearing none uh we will proceed to agenda item five which is the consent calendar for this month. Um there are two items on this month's consent calendar. Uh the first is to approve comments on the draft joint base Anacostia Bowling Dormatory facility plan. Uh the second is to approve comments on concept plans for the Pentagon commercial vehicle inspection facility. Uh both of these items have been previously circulated to members of the commission. Are there any questions or comments uh from commissioners present or online about either of these two consent calendar items?

Chairman, I move that we adopt the consent calendar. Thank you, Commissioner. Is there a second? Uh hearing uh a a motion and a second. Uh is there any discussion on this item? Um any commissioners have any concerns before we move forward hearing? None. Uh, Madame Secretary, could you please confirm the motion and the second and take the vote by roll call? Yes. The motion was made by Commissioner Dixon and seconded by Commissioner STDM. Commissioner Kosart, yes. Commissioner Schaefer, yes. Commissioner STDM, yes. Commissioner Argo, yes. Vice Chairman Levenbuk, yes. Chairman Sharf, yes.

Commissioner Ingracia, yes. Commissioner Dixon, yes. Commissioner Cash, yes. Commissioner Henderson, yes. Commissioner McAwen, yes. Motion passes. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Uh, with that, the motion obviously is carried. We have one uh voting item and twoformational presentations uh in our open session today. Agenda item 6A is a request to approve comments on concept plans uh for the new stadium on the RFK campus and we have Laura Shipman with our team uh here to present. Um so Laura, please proceed whenever you're ready.

Great. Thank you. Good afternoon, Chairman Sharf and Commissioners. The District of Columbia RFK Stadium project management office in partnership with the Washington Commanders has submitted concept plans for a proposed new stadium and surrounding site improvements on the RFK campus. As a reminder, the concept review stage, the at the concept review stage, the commission is focused on topics such as general consistency with NCPC policies, appropriateness of the project for the site, and identification of any complex issues. Under the National Capital Planning Act, NCPC has advisory review authority for the stadium project as a district project outside the central area. My presentation today will include a project overview, and then we'll focus on recommendations for site and stadium design, circulation, and parking, and coordination. The stadium will be located within the larger RFK campus, which is an approximately 180 acre parcel between the Anacostia River and the adjacent Kingman Park and Hill East neighborhoods. In January 2025, the DC RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act allowed the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the campus from the National Park Service to the district. The campus redevelopment will be comprised of five districts and is envisioned to include a mix of uses with approximately 5 to 6,000 housing us housing units, a sports plex, retail, restaurants, hotels, and 30% of the campus as parks and open space. The focus of the commission's current review is the stadium district development highlighted on this map in pink and the related components. The broader RFK stadium RFK campus mixeduse redevelopment will be guided by a district-led master plan which will be prepared by the DC office of planning. The campus is located along the system

of NPS controlled parklands bordering the Anacostia River. The RFK campus revitalization act requires the district to ensure that development does not adversely impact NPS lands and to designate a 200 foot wide buffer along the river as a riparian zone. The stadium project site is approximately 30 acres within the overall RFK campus. NCPC has long recognized the significance of this site as identified in the legacy plan, monumental core framework plan, and the AY's 2006 RFK stadium site redevelopment study. Of particular interest to NCPC is the project's potential impacts to the system of streets, public spaces, and important viewsheds within the Lfon City, namely East Capitol Street as a prominent gateway and major axial corridor. Impacts on NPS lands and adjacent federal facilities were also evaluated along with general consistency with policies set forth in the federal elements of the comprehensive plan. The proposed project will replace the original RFK stadium which officially closed to the public in 2019. Demolition began in late January 2025 and is anticipated to be complete by the middle of this year. With that, we will dive into the proposed stadium concept. The applicant team has identified several design drivers which I will walk through over the next few slides. First, the landscape strategy bridges the formal historic urban fabric to the west and the river ecology to the east. The site is also meant as a destination and a place to gather for locals and the region. The stadium is positioned along the east capital street axis linking to the capital building and Lincoln Memorial within the monumental core. The roof form raises to the north and south to welcome neighbors and lowers on the east west axis in deference to the

viewshed to the capital dome and Washington monument. It is also similar to the curvature of the original RFK stadium. The perimeter colonade and raised podium anchor anchors the building within its setting and reinforces the civic presence. The colonade is also intended to create a framework that shapes covered indooroutdoor spaces and allows permeability. The designers envision the stadium as a new landmark in the district that draws from tradition and expresses it through a contemporary lens. The structure includes several elements that reference the formal architecture of buildings in the monumental core. These elements include the surrounding colonade, elevated podium, and grand stairways as shown in this west elevation. Here is the east elevation that will be seen on the approach from the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge. While not strictly symmetrical, the applicant notes that the architecture aims to create a balanced composition of indoor and outdoor spaces focused on proportion and rhythm, referencing the colonades and facade compositions of historic buildings throughout the nation's capital. On the north and south elevations, the podium dips down and the stadium entrances are at ground level with open air colonades. The 1910 height of buildings act permits the stadium to be constructed to a height of 130 ft and allows a dome to extend above that height. The dome roof form varies in height and reaches 195 ft at its highest points. This section also shows the open air colonades on the building exterior oriented towards the public plazas and neighborhoods to the north and south. As noted previously, the stadium is located at a prominent capital gateway on a preeminent linear view corridor identified in the comprehensive plan. Here is a view of the original RFK stadium from the west looking over the

capital building and the proposed conceptual view of the new stadium in the distance. The original RFK Stadium is shown here in an aerial view from the east with the Capitol building and Washington Monument visible beyond. The design of the proposed stadium's roof symbolically responds to the importance of the East Capital Street view corridor by lowering the height along its east west axis. However, additional analysis is needed to confirm if the proposed stadium visually reinforces the preeminence of the US capital and Washington Monument by protecting the visual frame around them as outlined in comprehensive plan policy UDB14. As such, staff recommends the commission request additional views of the stadium in context with the next submission, including views from within the site, adjacent neighborhoods, and the river, as well as an accurate long view along the east capital street axis to ensure visibility of the US capital building dome and Washington monument is maintained. The views should be taken from the higher elevations of the topographic bowl in the Anacostia Hills where the axis crosses the Civil War defenses of Washington Parks. Regarding lighting and digital signage, the comprehensive plan discusses that lighting can be used to activate public areas and create a more dynamic visitor experience, particularly at sporting venues. However, depending on implementation, digital lighting may negatively alter the monumental cores street atmosphere and light the skyline views of iconic national resources. This is also an important consideration in the context of existing residential and future mixeduse neighborhoods. As such, staff recommends that the stadium design as it's developed, the applicant study exterior graphics and lighting approaches that respect the hierarchy of memorials, monuments, and important

civic buildings and spaces in the nation's capital with the US capital and Washington Monument, the most prominent features in the nighttime skyline as outlined in urban design element policy B15. Here is a view of the former stadium from the west at the center of East Capitol Street and a conceptual view of the stadium's west entrance from the same viewpoint within the proposed festival plaza. The applicant envisions the new roof stadium serving as a venue for sports, arts, and cultural events, creating a yearround activity and entertainment center for district residents and visitors. The stadium will contain 65,000 seats and additional space for 5,000 people standing. The comprehensive plan encourages programming and placemaking strategies to strengthen the public realm and user experience. At the same time, it guides new development to be compatible with the character of surrounding public space, properties, and community. The stadium design should therefore aim to create a lively destination with consideration for any potential impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. And staff recommends the commission request additional information in the next submission regarding proposed building program at street level planned number of stadium events and plans for tailgating approach to event noise and potential interim uses and creative placemaking strategies until new mixeduse development is built out. The design integrates innovative structural and material components including the transparent roof membrane shell with a steel cable structure to allow an ample natural light and give the indoor outdoor feel to the stadium. The material pallet also includes concrete ribs and steel girders, fluted glass curtain walls and operable glass doors. This is the proposed site plan with the stadium project area outlined with a dotted red line. The site includes a

series of vegetated plazas at the north, south, and east entries to the stadium along with a landscape podium terrace. To enhance the experience of these spaces adjacent to hight traffic roadways, staff recommends that the landscape design buffer the stadium plazas, particularly the east plaza, from the adjacent roadway traffic to improve user comfort and create inviting public spaces. And as the design is developed, staff recommends the commission request additional site design information in the next submission related to the storm water management strategy, landscape and planting plans, the design of kiosks and pavilions propos proposed around the stadium grounds and the perimeter security approach. And now we will focus on the initial concepts for circulation and parking. Just for orientation, north is to the right in the next few transportation slides. The project aims to prioritize multimodal access to the stadium, including metro rail, metro bus, and upgraded pedestrian and and bicycle infrastructure. Plans are in development for a BRT station near Benning Road by 2030, shown with the dotted green rectangle to the north. And Wamada is exploring the possibility of extending the Stadium Armory Metro Rail Station Mezzanine to accommodate the anticipated crowds. A festival plaza is planned outside of the project site at the east end of the stadium that is phased to open at the same time as the stadium and to provide the primary connection to the stadium armory metro rail station. The existing tunnels under sea street and Independence Avenue will be upgraded to provide safe access to the stadium without conflicting with vehicular traffic. However, at the time of stadium opening, several large surface parking lots will be sur surrounding the site, which may create an uncomfortable streetscape environment for pedestrians for the years prior to full buildout. To ensure improved public access to the

Anacostia River and Anacostia Riverwalk Trail as required by the transfer act, staff suggests the applicant consider in integrating landscape pathways through the proposed surface parking lots to create comfortable pedestrian connectivity, particularly through the parking lots adjacent to the riparian area. The site currently has several existing bike facilities shown in dark blue, including a protected including protected bike lanes and the Riverwalk trail system. Some existing bike bicycle facilities on the north side of the stadium will be modified and upgraded as shown with the dotted dark blue lines. New bicycle facilities shown in light blue will also be provided. Overall staff is supportive of supportive of the concepts approach to emphasize multimmodal access to the stadium including upgraded transit, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Okay, upgraded transit pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. In terms of vehicular circulation, the stadium ingress and egress approach aims to efficiently direct regional traffic to and from 295 and 695. At the time of stadium opening, two structured parking garages are proposed to be located to the north and south of the stadium, labeled G1 and G2 on this slide. These garages will be highly visible in the early stages of the campus redevelopment project, though they will be surrounded by development at full buildout. To understand how these garages may impact views towards the stadium, staff recommends the the commission requests the applicant provide the designs of the parking garages in the next submission. If the designs are not available at that time, information on the heights, massing, and the bulk of the proposed garages should be provided. Further information about how traffic will be managed will be helpful with future reviews. Therefore, with the next submission, staff recommends the commission request additional information on proposed strategies to

encourage multimodal transportation and minimize stadium traffic impacts to surrounding neighborhoods, including planned multimodal transportation projects that will be in place at the time of stadium opening. Any potential contingencies if transit improvements are not complete at the time of stadium opening. A traffic study to understand the stadium's impacts to the surrounding street network. A parking strategy outlining the number of structured and surface parking spaces proposed at stadium opening and stadium parking capacity throughout future development phases as surface parking is removed. And a transportation management plan if available outlining recommended strategies to manage the traffic demand, foster multiple modes of travel, and reduce congestion on the roadways. To ensure visitor comfort when visiting the stadium grounds, staff also recommends the commission requests the applicant provide additional information with the next submission regarding accessible circulation routes, wayfinding and signage, and planned improvements to the hightraic roadways adjacent to the stadium's public spaces. In terms of coordination, the applicant began community and stakeholder engagement in early 2025, and this engagement is ongoing with the development of the full stadium design and overall RFK campus master plan. Last night, the applicant team held a community meeting to gather feedback on the stadium design concept, which they will summarize in the next submission. Because the stadium site is located directly adjacent to the historic DC Armory, a federal installation, staff suggests the applicant coordinate with the DC National Guard Armory and NPS on the proposed stadium project and master plan, specifically regarding pedestrian connectivity improvements, proposed street redesign along the frontages to the armor armory site and security and operations. Additionally, staff suggests the applicant continue coordination with the National Park Service regarding

connections and transitions to the broader Anacostia Park system. In summary, staff notes the conceptual design approach aims to balance innovative stadium design with respect for the site context by maintaining the east capital street viewshed of the Lon plan, referencing the scale, composition, and civic importance of the architecture within the monumental core, integrating the riparian landscape into the site, and echoing the form of the original RFK stadium. With that, staff recommends the commission approve the comments on concept plans highlighted throughout the presentation and listed on the following slides which are intended to support consistency with the comprehensive plan for the national capital as the design develops. And that concludes my presentation. Members of the applicant team from the district, the commanders and the design firm HKS are also available for any questions from the commission. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, do any commissioners have any questions? Yes, ma'am. Um, so I actually have a long list of questions actually. Uh, so the festival plazas are, I think, are mentioned within the submission as something that would be developed and opened at the same time as the stadium. Um, but there isn't really any information on what those plazas consist of. Can you can you share a little bit more on that? Sean, go ahead.

Yes. So, I'm Brian Hanland, project executive for the RFK PMO, and I'm joined remotely today by Andy Van Horn of the Commanders and um Lance Davis with HKS. So, I invite um Lance Davis to actually respond to your question on that. Hi everyone, Lance Evans uh joining from HKS. I have an old friend named Lance Davis, so sorry about that. He's a great guy. He's a great guy. That's all all okay. Yeah, the festival plazas we're in the beginning stages uh commissioner of planning uh the the plazas in and around the the stadium and the public realm and we will be following up with more information on those uh in our next submission.

Okay. I had a similar question about the parking structures. Um, and I know that the uh staff report is already requesting additional information, but I would just note for for anything that is going to be implemented as part of the stadium uh district, right? Um, it should be coming in as a package so that we have a full understanding of all of the moving parts and pieces and a good idea of what the landscape will include as a whole. And I know that the other pieces will come as the master plan and the NEPA continues. Um, but just the pieces associated with the district are important

and I would just echo the particularly with respect to the G1 structure that's noted on our diagrams. I mean that's really close to the stadium. So in terms of our consideration of viewsheds looking to the west what that structure looks like its massing its size I mean all that is sort of relevant and it it's not really reflected on the images we have of the stadium even though I think certainly from some angles it it's going to be right there. Am I wrong on that? Yes.

Okay. Good. it. And on on that sort of note about the viewsheds, it's it's really important that the view angle that you're showing is maybe a view angle that no one other than someone in a helicopter or airplane will kind of perceive, right? Because it's this this sweeping view of a high level. I think having more of an understanding of the view of people crossing the bridge, people coming down the road from the capital area, people coming from other um angles at a more pedestrian or vehicular level will help us in better understanding how you're protecting those views that are so important on this axis. So that that was going to be a a comment, but

sorry. Yes. Yeah. and uh staff uh explained, you know, similar uh requests for us and we're actively uh documenting viewsheds and corridors from a a pedestrian uh perspective and we'll have those in our next submission as well, Commissioner.

Okay, great. Two more. Sorry. Um so another So, um my understanding this is for more than just football, right? that this is a versatile, flexible facility that allow for festivals, concerts, events, and other sports. Can you help me understand how and not like down to the technical detail, but understanding how you would transition from something like football to maybe tennis or soccer or knowing that there are other smooth events, but just thinking through like how it is another how it can adapt for other sports activities. Yeah, we have, you know, the infrastructure of the stadium on the event level is large enough and flexible enough to allow for the transition of the football playing surface to other surfaces, whether it be um surfaces for soccer matches or conventions. We also feature retractable seating in the lower bowl of the stadium that allows for configurations for various events such as concert stages and um and other uh ancillary entertainment.

Okay, great. And then last question, this is more of a a technical question related to its height. I know it's proposed at 195 ft and 130 is allowable with the extension of the dome. Is there a limit on the dome from a zoning perspective? I know the height is is regulated, but I'm just curious about the zone height, the dome height. I I would say um there's been a Lance, you might want to jump in, but there there's been a a determination uh by the zoning administrator. Um, and that letter is on the it's on the DOB website, but we will share it in our next submission. Okay?

And we'll describe the um there's some technical language that defines u the height points and those things. So that we can share in our next submission. Okay. But the the view of the DC government is that the stadium is compliant with the height of buildings act. Is that correct? That's our current view. Yes. Okay. Thank you very much. Do we have any other questions for the presentation team? Yeah, Commissioner.

Um, as I guess one of the two representatives, I guess, of the the Capitol building here, um, I do think it would be helpful to see, and I appreciate the staff comments this, uh, and I think they they hit on a lot of my concerns, but seeing the elevation of the stadium compared to the capital, compared to the Washington Monument, all in one line. So, we can see how um how those are going to line up. We hear that loud and clear. Absolutely. and and I had not thought about it until the staff comments about the lighting and the impact of that on the views. I think that is going to be very important to see and I understand when there's a game going on, it's going to be lit up. I think everybody understands that, but what's it going to be? Sure. Times that it's not

um going to be used. Um, I think it would also be useful to see, and I don't know if you'll have that now or can submit that at a later point, a size comparison of this to the old RFK, either the footprint and the overall mass of it. Uh, and finally, from the drawings that I've seen, the column design does not seem to be settled. I at least it appeared to be different designs, none of which seem to match up with some of the more historic properties around town. So including the capital. So I would be interested in seeing further refinement on that and how that's going to try to fit what else we see on other important lands.

Okay. Thank you. There any other questions? But yeah, Commissioner.

Um so I had a question. Um so I noticed during the presentation that there was talk of possible future expansion now of the infrastructure of Stadium Armory Station. um some earlier convers and I do want to commend that there's not a second the third parking garage on the map right uh in the presentations we've been getting but is Oklahoma Avenue now kind of off the table is that more of a WA question is transportation planning board and COG looking at that because for those who don't know there was originally a plan for an Oklahoma Avenue station long ago that would have served the Kingman Park neighborhood it never happened but it's there's still room to do it so I'm just wondering is is the view now that we're just going to look at expanding Stadium Armory and not adding a second station Yeah, I guess I would say that's a WADA question and we'd be happy to share whatever we can in the next submission

and just they're underway with the study and just to supplement that uh there is that BRT station that's planned for 2020 just so that's 30. Yeah. Yeah.

I we we had a street car at the same quarter. I'm not going to poo poo BRT. All modes of transit are great, but um I think that that having that metro station when we're looking at at the volume here, anyone's been in the ballpark on a game day, um it's a lot. Um the other question I had was I think that that a lot of the renderings are really cool, but we didn't see kind of any of the ugly side of the stadium, and I know there's got to be one. So, if you've ever been to Sixth Street at Cap One Arena, if you've ever been somewhere, they're loading in all the stuff that's coming in. Somewhere there's the food service, somewhere there's all these things. If you've been to the ballpark, there's sides that don't look nice. somewhere around here that's got to exist and I haven't seen any of it yet. So, I don't know if you can even give an opinion on is it going to be on the west side, it's going to be on the east side, is it going to be adjacent to the ugly parking garage? Like where is the ugly side going to be and when can we see it to see what you've done to mitigate it?

Yeah, there is no back door, you know, to the to the stadium uh commissioner. It is envisioned as a 360°ree accessible piece of of civic architecture. The stadium infrastructure is actually access is located on the north side of the site uh adjacent to the G2 garage that you see on on the screen now. And then from there uh we go under uh underground under the public realm uh to the event level of the stadium. So the intent is that the stadium infrastructure, the movement of of goods and services in and out is actually concealed from the the public realm. So, it's going to be kind of like the the new tunnel that was built with the visitor center on the capital where you're routing everything under so you don't actually see any of that that back end anymore.

Yes. Okay. Thanks. That's helpful. Sure. Are there any other questions? Paul, good question. Thank you for the presentation. Um, chairman, go ahead. As

far as far as um the architectural style, um, you know, we appreciate um, you know, realizing it's not a federal project, still appreciate the references to classical architecture, to the historic um, characteristics of the neighborhood to the extent you're able to incorporate more historic classical um, design into particularly the colonade and and the entrance. um just to convey a sense of um heft and and and gravity when people enter. I think that would be um a a good recommendation and even with the surrounding um landscape to the extent you're able to um incorporate more of those elements um I'm interested in hearing a little bit more about um you know the historic sort of references that are being considered for this design. Yeah, you know, I think you know for us, you know, the stadium is inspired by the city, you know, and the district and um the neocclassical style and architecture um is synonymous with the city itself. I think rather than replicating individual pieces or components of the style, what we really valued were the principles of the architecture itself. Uh so a design that has a clarity of form. Uh a balance a balanced composition. Uh the use of the colonades to create a rhythm and order to the design. Uh and the use of of entries and axial connections to create a visual hierarchy for the guests as they come in uh to the building. You know, the stadium does sit on an elevated base, you know, uh which is reminiscent of uh examples that are found throughout the uh the capital. The sighting of the stadium itself along the monumental axes and how it expresses and establishes those view corridors and connections and links with the Laont

player was very Laont plan was very important to the architecture and the foundation of the uh of the stadium's design. Um but for us you know the the idea of the true value of looking back you know to define a path for our future is where we've we've landed with the architecture. So very much inspired by um the rules and the principles of of classical architecture uh but really interpreted in a way that it represents you know a venue of sports entertainment facility for the district.

Awesome. I think Commissioner Dixon had a question if I'm not much mistaken. Is that right sir? Yes it is. one uh uh the it was already implied I guess that they may be able to accommodate track and field like an Olympic kind of an event in the in the facility reckoning like an Olympic track in the stadium right now uh would not fit on the event level would have to require some uh infrastructure changes uh you can fit Olympic events inside the stadium commissioner just not the track and field

okay I thought may be the case. Secondly, uh I hope that there will be consideration for solar uh solar utilization as much as possible solar paneling. There's a lot of advances being made architecturally in the kinds of panels that can be put on facilities inside, outside and around. And we ought to capture that that energy if we can to use it for the benefit of the project. Of course, and we're actively we're actively researching um those elements, commission. Hey, chairman. Uh yeah. Yeah. Just uh so

yeah, so first thank you. This is uh this is great work across the board and um really look forward to seeing this mature. And I know in the next submission we're going to talk a little bit more about some security considerations. And I just wanted to encourage you and the the entire team to be thinking not just with your traditional uh security measures. And I I would I would say to u start thinking about some of those exquisite uh issues that come with a mass gathering location such as this as well. So again, I we don't need to go into any any more detail than that, but but um just just please as you guys continue go forward, I looking forward to seeing how that's going to be incorporated.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Uh my question, what's the roof made out of? Like what's the actual material? That is another Lance question. So yeah. Uh like I saw the description in our M. I'm just trying to like what what is that stuff? There's two materials that we're under consideration right now comm uh Mr. Chairman. One is ETF. It's a it's a transparent membrane or plastic uh film. It's the same material that was used in US Bank Stadium for the Vikings and the stadium in Los Angeles at Sofi.

Uh there is an alternate material on the called Viewscape. Um, and it also has similar properties to ETF. And we're evaluating, you know, what is the right choice of materiality in there, but they're both membranes. How do you keep them clean?

There is a each one of these comes with a a maintenance program, you know, on the roof. the essentially they are um they do they have a high u coefficient of um a slip a slippery coefficient that's not the right word here but uh basically when it rains or self cleaning um and then it does require you know kind of a monthly uh access interesting any other questions before we uh proceed to public comment yeah

one last question um the plaza Do we have an idea of what the uh material will be for for that? Is it stone like the the surrounding plazas or is it consistent across the entire stadium? Um like what color? Do do we have any details about that? Oh, we're we're just beginning the the journey into the the hardscape strategy and the softscape around the the site commissioner. So, we'll follow up that with our our next submission. Thank you.

Any further questions? Uh seeing and hearing none, um we do have we do have two people signed up uh for public testimony today. I believe the first is is it Robert Hershey. Uh Mr. Hershey representing the DC Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies. Uh you'll have five minutes to uh to give testimony. Sir, do you want to proceed at at will? Okay, I'm here to urge everybody to keep the streets open so that people can get to the stadium. And in particular, we urge everybody to keep Pennsylvania Avenue America's main street. Thank you. I appreciate your brevity very much, sir. Thank you for joining us. And uh I hope the project team has has taken note of your uh your concern. Um with that, we have one other person signed up for for public comment. I believe that's Cat Aristi representing Oceanana who is joining us virtually.

Hello. Can everybody hear me? Yes, ma'am. You have five minutes to proceed whenever uh to provide testimony whenever you'd like to proceed.

Okay. Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Cat Resty and I am here representing Oceanana which is the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. I am speaking today to express Oceanana's support for including reusable beverage cup systems, other reusable foodear and related wash facilities in the design for the new commander stadium. Oceanana's headquarters are here in Washington DC and we feel a responsibility to speak up as the development of the new stadium begins, especially at a time when the global plastic pollution crisis is intensifying. As the stadium and stadium grounds, including kiosk and pavilions, are being designed, this presents the perfect opportunity to build on foodware systems that protect the surrounding landscape from plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to the health of our oceans and rivers, our climate and our communities. Researchers are increasingly identifying concerning connections between our exposure to plastics and adverse human health impacts. Plastic, almost all of which comes from fossil fuels, is also a significant contributor to climate change. In fact, if plastics were a country, it would be the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Reducing single-use plastics through reusable cup systems is a practical effective step that the commanders can take to pro protect public health and the environment. As of 2015, approximately 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced, of which 6.3 billion metric tons became plastic waste. Despite the scale of the plastic pollution crisis, recycling often presented as the solution barely makes a dent in the amount of plastic waste produced. Only 6% of the plastic waste in the United States is recycled. The effective solution is to reduce plastic pollution and move to non-toxic reuse and refill systems. The shift is supported by the

public as proven by a recent national polling conducted by Oceanana um by a nonpartisan polling company Ipsos which revealed that 85% of US voters support increasing the use of reusable packaging and foodware. Reuse systems work. They are designed so that packaging and foodware can be reused multiple times for their original purpose in their original form. A single reusable cup can be used more than a hundred times, greatly reducing the amount of single-use plastic that's incarcer incinerated or landfilled. A 10% increase in beverage and bottling companies implementing reusable cups across the US would save an estimated 432 million cups from entering aquatic ecosystems. That is the scale of the impact we're talking about. Requiring reusable cups at the new stadium would also help protect the Anacostia River. One of only three rivers in the US that the EPA deemed impaired by trash. Every single every single use cup prevented from entering the waist stream is one less item that can be that can end up in this already polluted river. And this is not just an environmental issue. It's also a financial one. Litter cleanups across cost the US an estimated 11.5 billion every year with about 20 billion pieces comprised of disposable food service wear. Reducing the amount of single-use plastic cups at stadium events will save the district money. Money that can be saved instead of spent cleaning up unnecessary waste. DC would not be alone in taking this step. Uh stadiums and arenas across the country are moving to reusable cups. Levi Stadiums, home to the 49ers, and Arrowhead, home to the Chiefs. Both committed to implementing Reusable Cup programs this year, including at this weekend's Super Bowl. After a reusable cup pilot program at Crypto.com Arena in LA, home of the Lakers, Kings, and other teams eliminated 23,000 single-use cups in two nights, the arena established the reusable cups as a permanent fixture in

the venue. Here in DC, many concert venues are already using reusable cup systems. Reuse is not theoretical. It is happening. It works, and it should be a priority at the new stadium. For all of these reasons, I strongly urge the commanders to design reusable cup systems into the stadium plan. This is a practical, proven, and popular solution that will protect our waters, our climate, and our city. It is chance for DC to take to lead on tackling the plastic pollution crisis and to build a stadium that does not leave waste behind. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Arristy. Are there any questions for either of these two witnesses from any members of the commission? Hearing none, uh that concludes uh public testimony uh on this item for today. Um is there a motion on the floor to approve comments on the concept plans for the new stadium at RFK campus? Uh thank you, Commissioner. Is there a second? I'll second. Um I'll now open things up to the commission for discussion. Um and I'll start with Commissioner Kosart.

Good afternoon. Um, so really appreciate uh the staff presentation on this and just wanted to lift up um the parts of the presentation in particular that really speak to how this stadium design really um celebrates Washington as a monumental city um with our historic um significance, our architectural excellence and civic vitality um and in particular uh appreciate ated kind of the the pieces around the design drivers and really thinking about this as a new uh landmark in many ways. The old stadium was a a landmark and this continues in that um tradition and helps it to be a real anchor uh for our city. And so just appreciate how the design team has really uh embraced um all of the uh historic planning work um in the city and brought it in with that um kind of contemporary way and expressed it in a contemporary way um to use um the designer Lance's words. Um so I'm looking forward to I'm you know um a as I've spoken to others they've been really really impressed uh by the design and so that gives a lot of confidence about the pieces that are going to come to this commission um after this. Um so really again appreciate the staff work on this, appreciate the presentation um and appreciate the great work um of uh uh my colleagues in the district and um uh the consultants who are supporting it.

Thank you, Commissioner Kosart. Uh Commissioner Schaefer. Hi. Yes. Nothing further to add just again great presentation. Look forward to seeing this progress.

Thanks Commissioner. Commissioner Stdum. Uh, thank you very much for the presentation. Um, and while I have many questions, I had many questions. Um, I think the design is off to a great start. Um, as I'm sure many people, I've spent a lot of time in the older stadium. My grandfather had season tickets when the Redskins called it home, many concerts. Uh, I love the homage to the old stadium. um and how you are respecting that structure in this new contemporary architecture. Uh but it was a very heavy structure and the measures that you have taken with the new design to lighten it not just lighten it through and giving it transparency but also how it sits on the landscape and how it interacts with the landscape. I think you're off to a really great start. I think there are some refinements that you could make. I would take a look at the ribbing and see if maybe less ribbing was an opportunity. Um, it feels like it's maybe too much structure and an opportunity for a little bit more transparency um, and lighting through it. Um, I love the grand stairs and the fact that the glass doors allow for what looks like you could see all the way through. Um, giving it that structure from both the exterior and I'm sure from the interior as well. Um, and I think the dome and the materiality that is chosen for the dome actually adds to that a great bit. Um, uh, I did have concerns originally with the design being on axis and the importance of that access as part of the city, but I think that you have taken care of that in your respect for the access through this design. So, I would just encourage you as you continue to refine and modify the design to just keep that in mind. Um, but as a whole, I think it is starting off as a very beautiful structure that is going to be a lovely new landmark to the district. Um, and a great complement to the park service land around it. So, thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, Commissioner Argo, are you still with us? I am still with you. Awesome.

I'm trying just trying to find the buttons. Sorry. Um the uh and I can't get on the unable to start video. That's okay. Um as long as you can hear me. I um I I really love Commissioner uh Sidum's comments and I want to be sure to associate myself with those. I think um one of the the one of the things what were the uh yeah the comment about using kind of the rules of classical architecture and uh adapting them in this design is um really satisfying and just uh I don't have much more to say other than I'm so excited that we're as far along as we are and we'll love to see the next um the next devel development. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner. Vice Chairman Levanbach.

Thanks for the presentation and uh you know I was excited when I saw this on the agenda. I I asked my friends and family and uh and importantly my wife what they all thought of the renderings and to a person everybody liked it and uh I mean it could just be the the crowd I run with but part of it part of the reason why uh they liked it was that the traditional design the classic design I think it resonated with at least the people that that I spoke with and it's interesting I just want to also just go to the the executive order making federal architecture beautiful again. And I think one of the one of the things that I I think is interesting about the the EO and how it talks about architecture is that it talks about how public buildings in this case now obviously this isn't a public building but they should uplift and beautify public spaces inspire the human spirit enobble the United States and command respect from the general public and I think that's what we want this uh stadium to aspire to. So, I want to um just uh u uh foot stomp what Commissioner and Gracia said, which about the classical uh the classic features of it. If anything, I think it if there are changes, I'd like to see it move more towards that direction. Very interested in some of the other uh development around the stadium and and how that complements the renderings that we saw. and uh and also want to see some of the additional renderings that uh some of the commissioners uh requested as well because I think it'd be helpful to give us all a sense of what it's going to look like when we go visit it.

Sure. Thank you, Vice Chairman Levenbach. Uh Commissioner Blair, I don't believe is with us. Uh Commissioner Ingrassia,

thank you. Yeah, just want to u reiterate um you know what what the sentiments of um the other commissioners. I think this is an important project. It's an important project for the city. It's long overdue. It's going to be a landmark in the district for many years to come, I'm sure, and I'm very impressed with the pro progress being made. Um, just to the extent that we can keep in mind again those principles of neocclassical, traditional historic architecture. Um, you know, I think a lot of that has already been incorporated into the design. Um, which is great. and um to the extent that that those elements could be um animating um you know the the surrounding plaza not just in terms of uh design but materials and color. I I hope those factors are are taken into account. Again, this is not a federal project, but I think um you know, we want it to seamlessly weave with the tapestry of of the rest of uh the city, and it's going to be an important landmark for the city for many years to come, and we look forward to getting more details about that as as this comes along. But uh appreciate this today.

Thank you, Commissioner Andracia. Commissioner Dixon. Yeah. Uh first, uh I want to thank the staff for its typical great work. Uh and I'll associate myself with our DC planning director, Commissioner Kosark. And uh yes, it is definitely neocclassic and it looks great. Thank you, Commissioner. Uh Commissioner Cash,

thanks so much. And I also associate myself with Commissioner Kosar's comments. Um and I also appreciate the feedback on the the 360 design that we're supposed to have on the stadium. I really want to hold the design team to that because unfortunately I think those are the kind of details that get value engineered out very early especially when we're talking about now underground structures under future development. Um so so I would just urge the design team to make sure that you're keeping to that to not make an ugly side if you can help it and to to really think ahead with all the other developments that's going to have to go on and now that we're having that really complicating structure. I I think it's probably going to complicate things underground um just to make sure that we're kind of keeping that as a as one of the the design principles that you don't want to waver from. So, thanks for the presentation. Thanks to the staff for the analysis.

Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Henderson, I've said most what I already have to say, but I I just again thank the staff for um their forwardleaning thoughts that they put down on paper and look forward to working with you all as as everything comes in. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner McGawan, I don't have any additional comments, but thank you to staff for the presentation and for those who are both online and in person who were able to provide more information and answer questions about the project. So, thank you all.

Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, speaking for myself, uh, first of all, staff, Laura, you and the team really knocked it out of the park with these comments. Um, I associate myself with almost all of them. I just think this was a really thoughtful review of a highly complicated plan. Uh so thank you for that. Um I'd also like to thank the project team um and obviously DC government uh for what they've put together here. Uh when we had the firstformational presentation um on this project, I was really worried we were going to end up with some modernist garbage that would have destroyed the skyline of Washington DC. Uh would have been a blight on a key axis of sort of the entire core of the city and would have been a real problem. Instead, I think we have uh a really interesting project. Uh one that I think will stand the test of time. I think the colonyade is an inspired choice. Um I was saying I was talking to Marcel Cost, our executive director before. To me, it's evocative of Euro Sarin and Dulles terminal. Um I'm not sure if anyone agrees with me on that point. Um but that's what I see when I look at it. And uh I think that's an interesting design choice um in keeping with the history of the district. Um, and I think, um, we have some questions about massing, about how this actually aligns with the capital. I think I'd like to see more elevations, as other commissioners have said, or other, um, other imagery more generally. Um, but overall, I think this is a really uh, incredible stadium um, that will be of tremendous benefit to Washington DC in the long term, and I would just congratulate everybody involved um, for what they've achieved so far. Uh few comments. Uh I'm concerned with lighting. Um obviously game days are game days, but if this stadium is going to be fully lit, given the amount of lighting that shines through the colonade in the pictures that we've already seen, uh I'm concerned with what this will look like

um sort of in the background of life in DC at night. Um the G1 garage is really close to the stadium itself. Um what that looks like and how it impacts viewsheds. Um I think it's an open question that hopefully we'll get more clarity on as we go forward. Uh the roof um I'm interested in material science. This has come out in a number of prior projects. So uh any further details on on what material is going to be used um and what it's going to look like in the long term most specifically? Uh I guess the I've been to SoFi Stadium and I I know what that looks like, but uh if a different material is used, I'd be very interested in that. Um, I think Commissioner Cash's point about the ugly side is very well taken. Most stadiums do have an ugly side. Um, if we can avoid that here, that's obviously great. Um, if not, I think we need to sort of know what that looks like and and what direction that ugly side will be uh will be facing in or will be uh will be facing. Um, and lastly, the only thing I'd say, this is well beyond the scope of this commission, but since one of our uh members of the public who testified today raised it, um, I am actually in favor or opposed to uh, reusable uh, service items, uh, reusable food containers uh, at any stadium. Um, I was involved in the drafting of President Trump's executive order uh, on bringing back plastic straws. I think paper straws are terrible. So, to the extent that anything NCPC is doing or saying uh impacts choices on food service items within the stadium, I would encourage you to go with traditional plastic. Uh but with that, um is there a we've already taken the motion where what do we do now? Do we have to take a vote?

Yes. Sorry. Here we are. I apologize. Uh, are there any further comments or questions before we proceed with a vote? Okay. Uh, Madam Secretary, can you please confirm the motion and second and take the vote by roll call? Yes. The motion was made by Commissioner Henderson and seconded by Commissioner Kart. Commissioner Kart, yes. Commissioner Schaefer, yes. Commissioner Stutm, yes. Commissioner Argo, yes. Vice Chairman Levven, yes. Chairman Sharf, yes. Commissioner Angia, yes. Commissioner Dixon.

Commissioner Dixon, yes. Oh, good. Commissioner Cash, yes. Commissioner Henderson, yes. Commissioner McGawan, yes. Motion passes.

Thank you uh very much, Megan. Um that motion is carried. We will now move on to agenda item 7A, which is anformational presentation on the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative. Um, NCPC staff are going to present a brief project background and share an overview of uh work to date and the project timeline going forward. Um, this is uh a really important project. Uh, really since I joined this commission last summer, we've been talking a lot about Pennsylvania Avenue. Uh this is one of the key um I mean it's a it's a core thorough affair in the center uh of our nation's capital. Um and it's just it's it's a really important civic corridor um that hopefully we will be able to improve dramatically in uh in the coming years. Um, I'd like to acknowledge uh, sorry, the National Park Services work on um, restoring the fountains at Freedom Plaza, John Marshall Park uh, in preparation for America 250. Um, they're a crucial partner here uh, as are some of the other key stakeholders in the area including um, DC Department of Transportation. Um, and with that, I'll turn it over to NCPC staff. Uh, Karen Sheerhold is going to be presenting for us. Thank you.

Thank you, Garrett.

Good afternoon, Chairman Sharf and commissioners. This information presentation will provide a background on Pennsylvania Avenue, its unique location and role in the capital city. I'll review some past revitalization efforts, its current management and design issues, and highlight some of the key planning milestones that have led to where we are today. Then conclude with a project overview and walk through our anticipated review timeline. The material may be familiar to some of you, many of you. Um, but we're hopeful it provides a helpful background for those who may be new to the project and also set the stage for our upcoming concept review. The 1791 Lant plan of the city of Washington created an interconnected system of public and ceremonial spaces providing physical and visual access to the buildings, landmarks, and iconic symbols of our new new democracy. This resulted in in an urban form that encouraged the interaction of citizens and their government. At the heart was Pennsylvania Avenue intended to be a primary thoroughare drawing activity to the city center and connecting the two rivers at the eastern and western borders. And while Pennsylvania Avenue in in our city extends west to Rock Creek and east across the Anacostia River, our work in this presentation focus on the segment between the White House and the Capitol. Historically, the Avenue has served as the nation's venue to celebrate, commemorate, and recognize social, cultural, political moments and events. It's where we've collectively mourned, gathered in the name of justice, and come together in celebration of some of my most important achievements. And every four years, it's the site of the presidential inaugural procession. It's more than just a city street. The avenue is a cultural resource. The avenue and its surrounding area are home to many historically significant buildings, statues, memorials, parks, and landscape features. Its symbolic character and national ceremonial role

contribute to the significance of the national uh the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site. Over time, the avenue has gone through periods of renewal and decline from Lonfon's people's prominade to a bustling commercial center to an office district to a car focused landscape. and today in disrepair and lacking vitality. The Avenue's most recent renewal was in the early 1970s when Congress created the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation or the PADC. As one of the first public private partnerships in the country, PADC was a quas federal agency that oversaw all aspects of management and operations. PADC was responsible for planning, regulation, development, maintenance, public space improvements, and event programming. To carry out these duties, it prepared a master plan in 1974, which shaped the avenue as we see it today. In 1996, after the plan was substantially implemented, Congress dissolved the PADC and divided its responsibilities among the General Services Administration, the National Park Service, NCPC, and the District of Columbia government. Each agency worked independently, often without dedicated funding, leaving no single organization in charge of the avenue. Over time, this contributed to deferred maintenance, declining real estate values, and its perception is a lackluster destination. It also left in place the 1974 plan, which is now over 50 years old. The delegation of responsibilities also created a highly complex jurisdictional condition on the avenue leading to inefficient management and and inconsistent regulations for use of space. While each set of rules works well within its own jurisdictional area, they become ineffective when the avenue is used as a single unified space. For example, National Park Service rules

designed for places like the Grand Canyon also apply to Pennsylvania Avenue sidewalks, parks, and plazas, while district roadway standards treat the avenue like any other city street. During events, this results in visible separations, as you can see in the photo to the right, with fences dividing areas with different regulations, crowding activities into the roadway, and leaving sidewalks empty or for support functions. The Avenue is also overdue for a redesign. Its modernist design is reflective of its era and aging materials and visible wear are evident. Ad hoc security measures clutter the sidewalks and events rely on large inattractive unattractive um temporary infrastructure. The avenue is also v vulnerable to extreme heat and flooding making it at times an uncomfortable and unattractive place to be. To address some of these issues, agencies with post Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation responsibilities formed an executive committee and launched the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative to to plan and to plan for the avenue's future and update the 1974 plan. The initi initiative established strategic goals leading to a new vision. The Avenue is a venue elevated as America's stage for events of national and regional significance and a great street for people. A memorable destination that balances an efficient roadway with beautiful and engaging public spaces for people to enjoy everyday all day and into the evening. The initiative also directed and completed studies which found that the roadway is larger than needed. the avenue works best as an event venue and that highquality public spaces are a key driver of economic revitalization. Guided by the vision, these findings informed three early design concepts that NCPC released in 2022, starting a public conversation about what the

avenue could be. That conversation gave us great feedback which is now informing our current phase of work in guiding design ideas into the alternatives that we will share this spring. NCPC, General Services Administration, National Park Service, the District Government, Downtown DC BID, and Events DC are working together to create a new Pennsylvania Avenue plan that will replace the outdated 1974 plan. Our 87 acre planning area includes the avenues 1.2 mi stretch between the White House and the Capitol and 40 acres of adjacent public space. The team is also looking beyond the formal boundary to improve connections to its terminus at the capital and between the avenue, the National Mall, and the heart of downtown. When complete, the new Pennsylvania Avenue plan will be a usable and comprehensive document that will guide decision-m and development for decades to come. Two teams, two consultant teams are leading the development of the new plan. David Rubin Lane Collective is leading the public space master plan, which is a physical public space plan that will address the alignment and configuration of the street and public spaces and the infrastructure needs to realize the vision of the avenue as a venue. David uh presented to the commission last June and we will be back um in April hopefully for concept review. HRNA advisers is leading the implementation program which is a management framework that addresses programming, administration, operations, and maintenance all critical to the avenues use, upkeep, enjoyment, and long-term success. Their work is integrated into the public space master plan. The consultant teams are working closely together and with our project partners at both the senior executive and technical staff levels, as well as with NCPC's internal planning and design staff. This is a quick preview of some of the

foundations for the new design. The design team shared with us this with the commission and the public last June. Um, and it's a good representation of how the work to date, including feedback from the early vision and concepts, has provided a basis for the ideas that we're testing now. Looking at our timeline, we will begin commission and regulatory reviews this spring. Once we begin, we have a year to complete design development and the required documentation. This year includes going to NCPC and the Commission of Fine Arts for review, comment, and ultimately acceptance of the new plan. After the plan is accepted, some elements will require legislative action before implementation, after which another entity will lead final design and construction. Closer look at our timeline. Um, I mentioned April. We anticipate coming back to NCPC for concept review then which would put us around October for preliminary review and final review in early 2027 with Commission of Fine Arts reviews on a similar schedule. There will be opportunities for the public to share feedback along the way. Um, all NCPC and CFA meetings are public and we will host additional public meetings as part of the regulatory process following our concept and preliminary reviews. This is a very exciting moment, the beginning of a once in a generation opportunity to invest in infrastructure improvements and set the stage for implementation. As we've seen, the status quo is not working. The avenue is not functioning the way it should be to fulfill its national role. And with this plan, we have a design opportunity to address infrastructure and create a world-class venue and a management opportunity to facilitate the changes needed to successfully steward the avenue for decades to come. Mr. Chairman, that concludes my presentation and the NCPC team is here to answer any questions the commission may have.

Thank you for that, Karen. I think you really summed it up best. The status quo just isn't working uh with respect to Pennsylvania, haven't you? Uh do any commissioners have any questions? Yeah, I'm I'm interested in just knowing what are some of the once you go as a little more granular. What are some of the key problems you're trying to solve in the new plan?

I can start with this one and I'll invite my my colleagues up um to fill in the gaps. But essentially that there are clear design issues right now. The Avenue is is aging. there are material things that are um need upgrading. Traffic studies have shown that the the roadway is has excessive capacity and that some of that space can reallocated to make it more efficient. Um we have other situations where there's a maze of infrastructure below ground that's not currently providing adequate services above ground. um as we can see with events um needing things like generators and um bringing in other types of uh ways to access utilities that can be very cumbersome sort of on the physical side and then in terms of management um what I think is the basis of the challenge is the the avenue has different parts parts of the street are um have different sets of regulations. So, for example, the Indie Car race that is coming to DC um has taken an executive order to get around some of the hurdles with restrictions on signage, branding, sponsorships. Um so, even smaller scale events have that issue here. So, every spring, um the Avenue hosts the National Capital Barbecue Battle. It's sponsored by Giant. And because Giant needs their sponsorship, it's located in the middle of the street. So they don't have to because there are restrictions on branding and signage if it if they were to use the sidewalk. So one thing that is frustrating from for event producers and I think even the regulatory agencies is that there is no consistent set of rules that applies to the whole space. So, if you wanted to come and use the

avenue, all of the avenue, um you would have to kind of portion your activities in places to meet those regulations. It's complicated. Um

you've got an 17 foot wide street, four traffic lanes each way, plus bike lanes. Um, this is the landmark street in our nation's capital and it's essentially unusable for many events or it's it's uh we have a lot of trouble using it for many of the events we would want to use it for. You walk along Pennsylvania Avenue and as you can see there you've got these flower pot ballards which are not an ideal security measure and also look like heck. The trees are all dying. What I've been told is that underground you have a morass of utility projects dating back to the Civil War. Um, it's just a mess. And I think it could be a lot better, but I'm sorry to jump in the place of staff here.

That's good summary. It It is a good summary. It's it's a combination of physical needs and this management structure that we're hoping to simplify to to really make the avenue something that's very usable for more people. It's a regulatory flub. It's like a bunch of different animals combined together and what you end up with just doesn't make much sense.

Paul, quick question. Um, you know, I think one of the most noticeable issues, um, and I think this is a very important uh, project and I appreciate this presentation. This is great. Um, in terms of maybe you could talk a little bit more about what design principles or what what goals do you have to improve walkability in this area? Um, you know, I know walking down this avenue, a lot of these um, you know, structures are aging. Um there are a lot of dislodged bricks and and it you know when you have a snowstorm it just makes things even more compromised. So I'm wondering if if that's a focus for you um you know improving our walkways, making sure that everything's nice and smooth and flat and there aren't um you know dislodged uh stones and stuff. What exactly is is um your focus on that?

Sure. So this is a bit of a teaser for April. When we come into concept review, we'll be sharing those design intentions and ideas. But um the foundations that we've shared um previously with the commission, this is a shorter summarized um version, but it essentially there's a lot of different uses that we need to accommodate within the roadway, within the sidewalks, and um the design team is taking a really holistic look at that to make sure we accommodate um as many uses as possible, make it as efficient as possible. and also make it as beautiful as possible. So if the 1974 plan really gave us what we see today that that's been out there for a very long time and so it's we're past due for a refresh. Um we are looking at prioritizing the framed view to the capital. um looking at the configuration of the roadway so that it does accommodate pedestrians, vehicles, um bicycles, loading, ride share, all the things you need in a city street. Um but also still retaining that sense of grandeur, that ceremonial function. We've been working closely with um maybe the Avenue's most unique design requirement outside the Indie Car is the inaugural parade. Um so we've been working a lot with the military district of Washington to make sure that anything we are proposing for the sidewalks and the roadway um supports their needs. Um see what the event use we have everything from the barbecue battle to an indie car race to um the cherry blossom festivities. So there's a range of different sizes um of events that we are considering and how best to look at moments where we can upgrade infrastructure to help service those areas. Um

the north south connections we want the avenue um you mentioned walkability making making it an attractive place to go from the mall and encourage folks to go into downtown and vice versa. We got a lot of um visitors to the mall. I've heard like 35 40 million. Um and so can the avenue serve as more of a draw and less of a barrier? Um and then in terms of retail, we know that the avenue probably is not the retail destination the city, but could it complement um downtown? We'd like to see that. So some of the foundations that are going into our work and we're so excited to share more in April.

Any other questions? hearing none. Uh I'll open things to the commission for discussion. Um and we'll start with uh Commissioner Stidum. Thank you. Um and thank you for the presentation. Um the National Park Service has been a partner with this project for a really long time. Really long time. And I I cannot disagree that it's a mess. Sorry, I didn't mean to clarify that before. Um, and that I had a briefing on this this morning, so it's all very fresh to mine. I apologize. I didn't mean to tear your head off, Stuart.

Um, it uh, you know, it does need some tender loving care. But I also I think I would be remiss in not pointing out that it's also a national historic site and the importance of that as America's front street not just to serve a venue for events but a place for people to protest to come together to celebrate um and it needs to serve those needs in a manner that is consistent with what should be Americans Front Street right um and is that is it doing it now? No. So, I think uh the work that we're all doing together is really important and looking to the future and seeing how we can elevate the avenue itself while maintaining um those historic features that make it part of the National Register. So, uh we enjoy the the process and and look forward to continuing working on it.

Thank you, Commissioner. Uh Commissioner Argo, do we still have Commissioner Argo with us? Commissioner Argo,

maybe come back. Okay, vice chair. Here I am. Here I am. Here I am. Got you now.

Sorry. And sorry to make such a fuss since I don't have a lot to say about it except to be um it's it's it's very exciting for those of us who have made um who did not grow up here but um have made this city someone like me made this city came for um an internship and stayed over 40 years ago. Um it's it's exciting to see uh the work that's being um contemplated for you know our what we call one of our most historic venues. I call it a venue. Um not much else to say except you know carry on. I love this.

Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, Vice Chairman Levvenbach,

if we could put the planners outside the EPA building in this, uh, I would I would thrilled because, uh, those are kind of my uh, my bane of existence. But that what I would say when I asked the questions about what the priorities were, not because I questioned the premise of of the exercise, it's more from a management perspective. If you work in the federal government for as long as um at least I have now, uh you you work on a lot of plans and those plans don't necessarily they're not necessarily useful in terms of management and execution and implementation. I mean, sometimes they are, but there are a lot of plans that people work on that aren't. And so I would really think about how you develop a plan that is implementable because right now you have a lot of different organ agencies and organizations that are that have a piece of this and when a lot of different organizations are responsible then nobody's responsible right you're in the plan especially a plan like this which might not necessarily have a a champion maybe other than the the NCPC um you know when you have the different jurisdictions and and the budgets that go with it and people are going to spend money on only the things that necessarily are within their ambit. So, I would just really think about not just the outcome and having a a great vision for what the what the street should be, but also how do you get there? How do you get there within current services or current resources and uh and and give people something that then they can take up their organizations and and actually try to make progress on. Thank you, Vice Chairman Levvenbach. Uh, Commissioner Blair is not with us. Commissioner Gracia,

I don't have much more to add. Thank you again for the presentation. I know GSA has been an active participant in the initiative and we look forward to continuing the work with NCPC and other stakeholders in this. Um, GSA has a lot of property primary property owner on the south side of the avenue in the federal triangle. Um, you know, this avenue is the front door to many federal agency headquarters. um some of the most famous. Um I think these proposed improvements will enhance the impression of these very important buildings and create a welcoming environment for tenants, for visitors, uh for people um visiting our city, for those participating in parades. Um and we look forward just to continuing this collaborative enterprise and uh making this um city and the street area um you know much safer, more beautiful um and much better to use than it than it has been over the last couple decades falling into a little bit of disrepair. So appreciate the presentation. We look forward to um you know continuing the conversations.

Thank you Commissioner Andracia. Uh, Commissioner Dixon,

I uh, first of all, I'm pleased to be involved in this because I don't know whether I want to bring it up, but I was involved with the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation. I was on that structure and we were trying to uh, at that time bring us an avenue which was in bad bad need of organization more or less as a ceremonial strip. But I'm pleased to be with you all now looking at making this more of a people's place, a place that will have more vibrance, more strengthening of the whole community, not just for the capital. So I I I'm very pleased to be a part of it and I'm looking forward to what's being done and it's a great it's a great time. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Commissioner Cash.

Uh thanks so much. I just want to commend the the work that's gone on uh with this initiative. Um, the thing that I've always come back to, even though this commission has now evolved to a lot more kind of the legislative side of things versus the planning side of things, I think that one of the things that makes the avenue so difficult is just what staff was talking about. The fact that you have this random mishmash of GSA running the buildings, and you have the park service running the sidewalks, you have DOT and DC running the the center of it. And all these plans are great if but if you can't get the governance right, you're never going to get the avenue right. So, um, if we want to talk about kind of the ugly side of buildings, a lot of these federal agencies, if you're at 10,000 ft, the buildings look great, but you get down there, there's no there there's no like restaurants or anything like that you can do. If you've gone over to the EPA building to try and go into the post office, it gets worse, not better, every time you go in there. So until we can really address kind of the the holistic planning aspects of making sure there's things to do, making sure that you can go from the street to the sidewalk during an event, making sure that if you're going to have an event like Pride or inauguration or anything like that that you don't have a fence between getting into those great new places we want to bring on the avenue, instead you have to go through these little gates and security. Until you get the governance right and everyone's on the same page, it's never going to get there. So, I appreciate that that there's work being done with the Military District of Washington because that's one of the big security theater things that we have to worry about with any of these events on on the Avenue, but I think if you also look at a lot of the other events that that have happened that don't have as much security necessarily, um you can see there's ways to mitigate a lot of what we think of as traditional security with putting all the fences up. So, I think that the governance is often underrated. I'm glad that that's one of the central planning aspects going on here because um with the kind of bureaucracy that you get on the avenue with different agencies um it's never going to get there until you can get everyone on the same page. So, I appreciate the work that's going into that especially on the governance side.

Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Henderson, uh you know, appreciate that you all are looking at this. It's there there's a lot of issues that need to be dealt with. I would just encourage that if we can, let's try and find a way to make the traffic lanes straight rather than the zigzag that they are uh down the street. Now, thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner McGawan, I don't have any additional comments right now. Thank you to staff for the informative presentation.

Thank you, Commissioner Commissioner Kart. Um yes appreciate staff for the presentation but more so the intentionality of your approach to this having you know a workstream that's around design having a workstream around governance and moving those forward uh together in parallel so that one can inform the other um I think is a really smart strategy and just want to appreciate your your patience with all of us as we you know kind of move through this process. Thank you, Commissioner and uh Commissioner Schaefer. I Nothing Nothing else to add. My fellow commissioners have basically uh summed it up. So, thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner. Speaking for myself, first of all, thank you again, Karen, for the presentation. Uh I'm a big believer in this. I think, as my comments before may have uh sort of prefaced, um I think this is the most important street in in our nation's capital, and I think it's just fallen into a pretty terrible state. Um I think you have uh if you walk up and down Pennsylvania Avenue, you will see vacancies. You will see essentially unusable uh space. Um, I think it's a real problem and I think it's a not just is it a real problem, it's a fixable problem. Um, there are govern governance issues, there are infrastructure issues. Um, but I think long term when we think about the most important projects we're doing around the capital, this certainly uh ranks up there. Um, and I would just commend our staff, GSA, National Park Service, and really everybody else involved here for their willingness to uh to take on what's really a pretty complicated problem. Um, and hopefully build towards a place where uh we can we can chart a better future uh for Pennsylvania Avenue and for that part of uh of the district. Um, does anyone else have any other comments or questions before we move on to agenda item 7B? Hearing and seeing none. Um, thank you and uh, thank you Karen. And we will now move on to agenda item 7B, which is anformational presentation on the Great Falls area, Maryland development concept plan. And we have Laura back with us once again.

Yes. Good afternoon again, commissioners. Today, the National Park Service will provide an information presentation on the development concept plan for the Great Falls area of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Great Falls, Maryland planning area is located northeast of the Battoomeac River. Parklands along the southern shore of the Ptoac River located in Great Falls, Virginia, are administered by George Washington Memorial Parkway and are not included in this effort. As background, the NPS process for park development includes several stages. Management plans such as the Civil War Defenses of Washington management plan are the earliest stage in the park planning process and typically cover a broad area providing highle guidance. Later stages in park development include development concept plans which develop major park elements such as this plan and the reimagined Anacostia Park development concept plan. Then the project design of specific elements is conducted and finally construction and implementation. Once specific projects included in the Great Falls development concept plan are identified for implementation, they will be submitted to NCPC for further review. And with that, I will turn it over to Andrew Lansman, NPS chief of resources management for the CNO Canal National Historical Park.

Hello. Uh thank you for having us here to share the results of uh recent National Park Service planning efforts uh for the Great Falls area in in PTOAC, Maryland within Montgomery County. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves a 184 and a half mile historic canal corridor along the PTOIC River stretching from Georgetown in Washington DC to Cumberland, Maryland. Once an important 19th century transportation route for coal, lumber, and agricultural goods, the canal now offers visitors opportunities to enjoy recreational and educational experiences that connect them to the region's history and landscape. The project area centers around the Maryland side of Great Falls and is the most popular area of the park, which itself is one of the most visited national parks in the country with over 5 million annual visitors. We undertook this plan so we could ensure that the park was continuing to meet visitor needs into the future, provide high-quality recreational and educational experiences, and preserve our amazing natural and cultural resources. This plan was developed in coordination with partners, stakeholders, and the public, and offers a shared path forward for the Great Falls area. I will now turn it over to Christine Bruins with our regional planning team to share more information about the plan. Thanks.

Thank you, Andrew. And thank you, Laura. So, thanks. Today, our plan is public and we have been working on it for a couple of years now, and we're excited to share what we're up to. So, at, as Andrew mentioned, this is the most visited area of the park. The visitation to the area has steadily increased over the last 15 years. Um, the Billy Goat A Trail, which is located in this area, can see up to 2,000 visitors a day during the peak season. And the the Falls viewing area is also a very popular regional draw and draws a high visitation all year round. Um we've also seen in this part of the park uh changing visitation more multi-day hiker biker through traffic more large groups organized large groups and so the pattern of visitation is changing and we wanted to take on a plan to accommodate everyone and accommodate for the future. So um the popularity of this area can also create some challenges. There's a lot of crowding on popular trails and th that crowding pushes over into sensitive natural resource areas. There's parking challenges and there have been increased visitor safety incidents particularly along the Billy Goat A Trail and in the river. As mentioned before, this planning area is centered around the Great Falls Tavern parking lot. It goes up to the north to Swaines Lock where we have a campground and another overnight lockhouse rental. Um, and it extends to the south to the angller's park parking lot where many locals uh used to access the site and to access the Billy Goat Trail. Um the plan purpose had four main goals and those were to look at strategies to

promote resource stewardship to continue to provide safe high-quality national park experiences to uh have appropriate ranges of facilities and services to meet the visitors and to proactively engage with the partners stakeholders and the public. This plan is very high level. It's programmatic. The recommendations are ranging from small scale and very specific such as water filling stations at targeted areas to larger actions such as adaptive reuse of the historic structures located throughout the site. Um all of the recommendations in the plan are in service to the park services goals of promoting safe and enjoyable opportunities for recreation and stewardship of resources. This plan is not an environmental assessment. it does not have any sort of design element and there's no preferred alternative. We will come back with discreet actions following. Um the plan is centered around the main issues and opportunities we have at the site which includes managing the high and growing volume of visitation and what that means for us um as recreation managers is evaluating the use and capacity of our facilities and infrastructures and how that supports visitation. We're looking at social trails throughout the areas. We're looking at put in and takeouts to the rivers and the canal and the trails between them. We're looking at potential for new concessions, whether that be food or recreational outfitters. And we're looking at the management of overnight campsites and lodging. We're also uh charged with preserving the 19th century canal infrastructure and protecting natural ecosystems of the area. The plan also looks to reduce injuries and fatalities of which there are a large number um and to ensure more

timely access for emergency response and search and rescue teams to areas. Um the plan also looks to improve parking traffic and related safety issues. Um, we want to increase accessibility of the core experiences in the site and then we are looking to find suitable uses for all of the historic structures on site, many of which are vacant or underused. So, we had two comment periods. The first was broader level. We wanted to touch base with our visitors and find out, you know, how they're using, what's working for them, what's not working for them, what we need to consider as we move forward. And in the second planning period, we asked more targeted feedback about what we're proposing along the Billy Goat Day trail, which is where a lot of the recommendations in the plan go. And then also specifically where we're where we're going to make changes to access to the PTOIC River. There are no formal river take-in or put outs. And so we asked our public where they use and where they would like to see those um infrastructure. So we received a lot of feedback from long-term visitors, from people who are volunteer with our search and rescue crew, from anglers and paddlers, just a diverse group of people, and their feedback was incorporated into our planning effort. Um the recommendations are again programmatic, but we're looking at physical and operational interventions to improve safety and crowding along the Billy Goay trail. We're looking to improve uh safety by formalizing some of these access points. And we're looking to uh formalize some social trails and close others for resource management and and visitor safety reasons. Um,

there's also a number of recommendations that are specific to making the visitor experience better. We're one of the primary concerns is making sure there's consistent access to water, food, and supplies. Um, we're looking at improvements for parking and access from Montgomery County into the park site and then again finding appropriate uses for some of the structures on site that could also accommodate the recreation that visitors are seeking. Um, we'll we'll be back when we have uh more detailed designs for implementation. The uh CNO Canal is going to continue to work with Montgomery County Fire on first respond uh the some of the safety issues on site and coordinating first response. Um we're they're also working with Montgomery County Traffic Department on the access road and and some connections between Mark MacArthur Boulevard and the park. and we'll um continue to seek funding for some of the larger scale design and construction projects. So, thank you for your time and uh hand it back to you, Laura. We'll turn it over to the commission for questions.

Thanks a lot, Laura. Um does anyone have any questions? Uh hearing none. Um Oh, okay.

Oh, sorry, Steuart. I I mean I have a lot I go here a fair amount and uh and so I see a lot of opportunities all the things that you laid out I can see areas to try to improve the the visitor experience. I'm interested you you talked a little bit about safety and I'm interested in what the numbers look like because I can think of a lot of different ways in which between people accessing the river improperly and and safety around that um the Billy Goat Trail collisions just have a lot of bikers and and people that are walking. I think you might be like I'm curious what those numbers look like and and how that might guide your overall plan because I think a number of the things that you're trying to address you might find evidence in the safety statistics that will guide you in trying to address a number of those different issues.

The safety is concerning and so in terms of search and rescue there's over 150 a year. There's 50 to 75 medical calls a year and there's been over 50 fatalities since 2000. So those are caused by a number of issues. They could be slip and falls. They could be medical uh conditions triggered by overexertion or heat or um swimming in the river that looks calm on the surface but has a great amount of undertoe due to the falls. Uh so there are a number of safety issues on site and they were definitely a principal factor when we were looking at the recommendations for the area.

So you you have an average of two fatalities a year on this site. I don't know yearly, but there have been over 50 since the year 2000. Wow. I think that part of it is people underestimate uh difficulty of the trail um and uh the congestion on the trail. So people start off with not enough water or no water because they think they're going to just take a leisurely walk. Sure.

And part of the way through they find themselves in a bad situation without anything and then we end up having to do a search and rescue. And then the water issues are the same. you know, they think it's they can just put in a boat and they're good. And then the rapids are right there. The swiftness of the water. I think it's just people who are inexperienced and un um unprepared for sort of the situation is a lot. And then the congestion, it's not good. Uh too many people too close on the trail. Um not good for the resource and not good for visitor experience or for the safety of others. Are there any other questions from commissioners? Uh, proceeding to comments. Uh, Vice Chairman Levenbach.

Uh, no more comments other than what I said and um, you know, I look forward to seeing how this project develops. Uh, thank you, Vice Chairman. Uh, Commissioner and Gracia. appreciate the National Park Service on initiating the planning process and we look forward to seeing more as the project develops. Uh thank you, Commissioner. Uh Commissioner Dixon, are you still with us?

I don't hear Commissioner Dixon. Is Skunk Valley in the area we're looking at? Uh oh. What? Can you repeat that, Commissioner Dixon? Skunk Valley. Is it part of the area we're speaking of? I think it's right off the bridge there. I don't I don't believe so. Andrew, the Was it Hunt Valley? Is that was the question? as in the animal that smells stunk valley. That's not what that's not something I'm familiar with now.

Well, when I was a cub scout or scout, we uh camped in that area. I know it's a bridge in the woods. Fact, I caught my first trout and found out you could cook a trout right from the stream right in that area. So, I just wondered whether it was the same. It was a spectacular area then and we camped there. So, maybe I'm in the wrong area. Maybe somebody can research that for the next time to see if Skunk Valley is a part of the area that you're speaking of.

Thank you, Commissioner Dixon. If if you don't have any other questions, uh, Commissioner Cash, no questions. Thanks so much. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Henderson is no longer with us. Uh, Commissioner McGowan, I don't have any additional comments, but thank you to staff for the presentation. Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, Commissioner Kosart, appreciate the presentation and your work on this project. Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, Commissioner Schaefer, nothing further. Thank you so much. Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Stidum,

uh, thank you for allowing us to bring this information presentation. Um, and we will surely be back with other projects. I think just to highlight the importance of this type of planning effort as we begin to look at visitation and park management in a way that we're serving our visitors but we're also protecting the resource and it's really key for the mission of the National Park Service and the work we do. So, thank you. Thank you, Commissioner um and Commissioner Argo.

I don't have any additional questions. I'm very excited. I live about um a block off of the trails, the river, all of that in the upper northwest corner of Washington. And it's a beautiful place and anything we can do to preserve the beauty and upgrade um the experience for uh for everybody uh is got my vote. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Uh, speaking for myself, I mean, I was planning on spending a lot of time here until I realized that people are apparently dying here quite often. So, let's uh let's figure out how to make uh Great Falls and the whole area uh safe and beautiful and a wonderful uh resource as it has been historically. Um, thank you to to staff and and to NPS for for this presentation. I think I speak for all of us when I say I look forward to hearing more about the exciting plans you have for this area in the in the coming months. Um, with that is there anything further? Are there any other questions or comments on this project?

Mr. Chairman, I would encourage you to visit that. It is a safe place. Similarly, go to trail opportunities for safe recreation and I encourage you to get out when you can um and visit the site um and enjoy the many things it has to offer. Thank you, Commissioner. Uh duly noted. Um before we adjourn for the day, are there any other questions or comments from commissioners? Well, uh we will see you all next month. I guess that will is most likely to be a virtual only meeting. Um, but I look forward to it as I know that you do. Um, and with that, uh, this meeting is adjourned.