There was a SW Ecodistrict public meeting Tuesday night
hosted by NCPC that discussed some options that are being contemplated for 10th
Street, Banneker Park, and stormwater management throughout the ecodistrict. The
Southwest Ecodistrict Initiative is comprehensive plan to create a sustainable
mixed-use community in a 110-acre area south of the National Mall, which currently
includes a significant amount of federal office space. The slides from the meeting are available
here.
10th Street
In the interim, there are plans to activate portions of 10th
Street with programming. The street has a 150’ right-of-way and at some places,
the distance from building to building is 230’. It was suggested that some street
festivals that currently take place on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW could be
accommodated on 10th Street from Independence to Maryland avenues. Perhaps the
Southwest BID in the works could help bring some of that programming to 10th
Street. Other ways to improve the street in the interim include furnishings,
street painting, lighting, and wayfinding signage.
In the long-term, it’s recommended that the right-of-way
remain at 150’, but the median along 10th Street should be widened from 39’ to
52’ and the sidewalk and vehicle lanes be narrowed to accommodate a five-foot bike lane
on both sides of the street. Different alternatives are available to allow
trees of varying height to grow on 10th Street, which is built mostly on a
bridge structure. In addition, there are three programmatic alternatives for
the street – one emphasizes on hardscape (which would allow more flexibility
for programming in the median); the second emphasizes on softscape (continuing
the feel of the National Mall); and the third emphasizes on water (10th Street
used to have water elements). Questions remain about whether the character of
10th Street should be more like a park, a street, linear, episodic, or formal
in nature.
A phased approach to improving the streetscape on 10th
Street is preferred, since there is currently no financing dedicated to make
improvements. Perhaps some of the funding can be obtained as a result of
private development adjacent to the street, such as JBG’s plans for L’Enfant Plaza, or the GSA’s planned redevelopment of the area closest to Independence
Avenue called Federal Triangle South.
Banneker Park
While there is currently no financing available for
streetscape improvements along 10th Street, the developers of The Wharf will
finance the construction of a temporary staircase connecting Maine Avenue with
Banneker Park to facilitate access from the National Mall and L’Enfant Plaza
Metro. Due to the grade change, the stairs can be straight, include switchbacks,
or a combination of both. Design of the stair could be monumental,
contemporary, natural, or have “District” features found in other areas of the
city.
Banneker Park. |
Stormwater Management
Even though the amount of development in the SW Ecodistrict will
increase to 15 million SF of space compared to about 10 million SF now, the
amount of water usage is anticipated to decline. The design of the SW
Ecodistrict will allow more stormwater to be captured on site and recycled
instead of being sent untreated to the Washington Channel and the Anacostia
River. Large cisterns can be built beneath 10th Street and other areas to help
store water. Green roofs, flow through swales, and trees can help reduce
runoff. In the summer, condensation from air conditioner coils can be collected
to create potable water. Capturing and treating stormwater and grey water can
be used for non-potable uses such as washing & irrigation while rain and
well water can help satisfy potable water demand.
Comments are being accepted on the SW Ecodistrict website until
June 21.
Rendering courtesy of NCPC
1 comment:
What are "district features" for a stairway?
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