Summary of City's H Street Initiatives

Here is a summary of the initiatives that the Office of Planning (OP) and other District of Columbia departments and agencies have been working on to implement "REVIVAL: The H Street NE Strategic Development Plan."

If you have any questions, please contact either Karina Ricks (442-7607 or karina.ricks@dc.gov) or me (442-7614 or Derrick.Woody@dc.gov).

Regulatory Issues

ZONING — Completed ANC 6A and 6C + OP community engagement about H Street rezoning. OP staff is working internally to determine how to make the zoning easy to use and to encourage development per REVIVAL and per community use preferences. Expected timeline for completion: fall 2003.

SMALL AREA PLAN — OP staff conducted public hearing about REVIVAL. Now preparing final documents for submission to Mayor and Council as a small area plan which will guide public policy for redevelopment of H Street NE. Expected timeline for completion: October - November 2003.

D.C. MIXED-USE PROPERTY OWNER SURVEY — OP and reSTORE DC sent a survey with 13 questions to property owners on H Street NE and some on Mount Pleasant Street NW to determine what concerns they may have about rehabilitating their mixed use properties. In summary, most owners were primarily concerned with finding and managing residential tenants. Re-use of the upper floors in these mixed use properties is an opportunity to create affordable housing. OP staff tentatively plans to release a pamphlet that encourages rehabilitation and re-use of mixed use properties on H Street NE and throughout the city.

Transportation and Public Realm Issues

DDOT TRANSPORTATION AND STREETSCAPE PLAN — Rachel MacCleery, Ward 6 Transportation Planner, has been managing transportation consultant Baker Engineering in conducting technical analysis about existing transportation, transit, parking and streetscape conditions on H Street. This initial design phase is critical in framing how the up to 90 foot right-of-way (the public space including sidewalks, parking, travel lanes for cars and transit, crosswalks, traffic lights, trees, etc.) will work and help to reinforce H Street NE as a "special place" for residents, shopper, workers and visitors. A series of community meetings have been held and more are planned. The next community meeting is Oct. 30, 2003, at Miner Elementary School, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Find out more information at http://www.bakerprojects.com/hstreetne or contact Rachel MacCleery at 671-2555. The Final Short and Long Term Recommendations are to be completed by January 2004. (DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities has hired an artist to work with Baker, DDOT and the community to develop a distinctive approach to making the H Street public realm unique.)

WMATA TRANSIT ENHANCEMENT — H Street has been designated as one of several corridors which may carry expanded and improved transit service either as Bus Rapid Transit or Light Rail. Two tentative lines would converge on H Street, linking the commercial corridor to Georgetown and/or Woodley Park to the west and Minnesota Avenue Metro station in the east. WMATA, DDOT and other agencies are continuing to evaluate alignments for this enhanced public transit service. Upon implementation, the service will provide a better alternative to moving more customers and residents to and along the corridor.

Business Environment Issues

H STREET NE EXPRESSIVE SIGNS — D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, supported by H Street Main Street, OP, and DCRA, has awarded nine local artists each a grant up to $7,000 to design, fabricate and install creative commercial signs for H Street businesses. A total of 15 businesses and local artists will be paired by the end of 2003. Expect to see exciting new signs in 2004. Contact Victoria Reis at DCCAH for more information: Victoria.Reis@dc.gov or 724-1404.

PHISH TEA CAFÉ and RHYTHM & BEANS COFFEE HOUSE — H Street Main Street, DCRA and OP continue to assist existing and new H Street businesses like Phish Tea Café and Rhythm & Beans (R&B) Coffee House in navigating through the permitting process. Both new and exciting business plan to open in late October to early November. Phish Tea is adjacent to the Atlas Performing Arts Center in the former Onyx building. R&B Coffeehouse is at 1359 H St. NE.

ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER — OP and DCRA continue to provide technical assistance to the Sprenger Lang Foundation for redevelopment of the historic Atlas Theater building on the 1300 block. The Atlas should move to internal construction work in November 2003. Upon completion in 2006, H Street will have several new theater options to complement the wonderful success of the H Street Playhouse.

ITALO RODRIQUEZ — Mr. Rodriquez and his business partner own the now blue buildings immediately across the street from the Atlas Performing Arts Center. OP and reSTORE DC continue to work with Mr. Rodriquez to find a suitable arts and entertainment tenant for this sizable and well-located property.

BP AMOCO — OP's Development Review staff continues to work with the community and the BP Amoco corporation's representative to develop a site plan for reuse of this important site.

Development Issues

BURNHAM PLACE (UNION STATION AIR RIGHTS) — DDOT and OP continue to meet with Akridge Companies to discuss the feasibility and use program for development of the air rights over the train tracks at Union Station. This significant project, if completed, will include new office uses, possibly some retail and a hotel which front onto H Street behind Union Station.

OLD SEARS SITE — Clark Realty has signed a contract to purchase the five-acre site of the former Sears Department Store (across from Hechinger Mall). Clark plans to develop 200+ units of housing. OP will be working with Clark on site planning and design as they move through the Large Tract Review process. This site is within Ward 5.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT — OP has met twice with a group called Affordable Housing Solutions (AHS). AHS is very interested in finding H Street or nearby properties to purchase and rehabilitate as for sale affordable housing for moderate income families and artists.

HOME AGAIN & NCRC — The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development is exploring how the Home Again initiative might be expanded to include mixed use (retail & housing) development on H Street. Home Again is coordinating its evaluation with the National Capital Revitalization Corporation.

R. L. CHRISTIAN LIBRARY — D.C. Public Libraries (DCPL) has been coordinating with area residents to locate funding to do interim improvements to the existing R. L. Christian Library. Upon funding approval, DCPL, OP and reSTORE DC will work with an architecture and development consultant and the community to explore options for developing a larger library facility and the cost associated with redevelopment.

CAPITAL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM — OP is coordinating with Catholic University of America School of Architecture to have a group of students develop conceptual drawings for how the Capital Children's Museum might redevelop on its existing site as the National Children's Museum. CUA students will also explore other site options. §