Mount Vernon Square District Design Project (DC Office of Planning, November 2010)

MOUNT VERNON SQUARE DISTRICT
DESIGN PROJECT
NOVEMBER 2010
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Executive Summary 5
i. Introduction
ii. Vision 6
ii. Strategic Approach 8
iii. Summary Timeline of Recommendations 12
2. Priority Projects 12
Priority Project 1: The Square
Priority Project 2: 8th Street as exible event space
Priority Project 3: The Convention Center Lobby
Priority Project 4: The Streetcar
Priority Project 5: Zoning Regulations
Priority Project 6: The Carnegie Library Building
Priority Project 7: Public Space Stewardship
Priority Project 8: 9th Street NW, North of the Square
Priority Project 9: Sustainability
Priority Project 10: Crosswalks
3. Realizing the Vision 33
i. Dynamic Place: A Hub for Surrounding Neighborhoods 25
ii. Transportation Hub: 21st Century Crossroads 41
iii. Parks, Plazas and Streets: A Network of Public Places 63
iv. A Business Strategy for Coordinated Action 75
4. Appendix
3
Table of Contents
9 ST
to Southwest Waterfront to I-395
to U Street Corridor
9 ST
7 ST 9 ST
7 ST
Gallery
Place
O ST Market
K ST to Georgetown
K ST to Downtowns expansion
Gallery of American Art/Portrait
Gallery
Historical Society
Convention
Center
Dupont Circle
Scott Circle
Thomas Circle
Logan Shaw
MOUNT VERNON
SQUARE DISTRICT
BOUNDARY
Mt. Vernon
Triangle
National Mall
Union Station
US Capitol
Capitol Hill
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Downtown
Project boundary and context
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Project Background
The Mount Vernon Square (MVS) District design
project is a joint undertaking by the DC Ofce
of Planning and the District Department of
Transportation. The effort synthesizes several
planning, public realm design, transportation and
economic development initiatives within, and in
the vicinity of, Mount Vernon Square District into
a cohesive set of physical recommendations. The
recommendations are organized in four categories:
a center for MVS district; its transportation
infrastructure; its open space network; and its
economic potential.
The Center
Washington DC is a city of diverse neighborhoods,
each with a distinct center of its own. Some of
these centers, Dupont Circle for example, serve
multiple neighborhoods -- Dupont, Logan, West
End, and Adams Morgan. Like Dupont Circle,
Mount Vernon Square has the potential to unify the
various residential, commercial, and entertainment
neighborhoods that surround it -- Shaw, Downtown,
Mount Vernon Triangle, and Chinatown -- becoming
the new keystone for the area.
The Carnegie Library building and Mount
Vernon Squares grounds are instrumental in this
transformation. Uniquely sited on axis with the
convention center and the National Portrait Gallery,
the library building and its grounds are essential
assets that can provide high quality open space,
facilitate intermodal transit activity, and become the
next great place in a city of great places.
The Squares History
Mount Vernon Square has had, over time, many
different uses and characters a market place,
recreational grounds, crossroads to the City, and a
well-utilized public library. Today it lies somewhat
disengaged from the surrounding city fabric, due to
high trafc volumes around it, lackluster landscape
character, and the relocation of the public library
to its current location at 9th and G Streets NW.
In addition, neighborhoods to the north and east
are just beginning to recover from neglect left in
the aftermath of the 1968 riots. Nearby highway
infrastructure also contributed to the degredation
of the square, which became focused on moving
vehicular trafc quickly, with scant regard for the
quality of adjacent pedestrian spaces. Today, Mount
Vernon Square is poised to regain its historical
signicance as a city square engaged with the
vibrant city neighborhoods that surround it.
The Squares Frame
The streets, buildings, federal reservations and
undeveloped parcels that surround Mount Vernon
Square are important in ensuring a vibrant center
for the district. Similarly, the Walter Washington
Convention Center and 8th Street to the south are
key elements to the revitalization of the square.
Eighth Street, a handsome street with little vehicular
trafc, is ideal as a exible space for events. The
front lobby of the convention center facing the square
provides a unique opportunity for a new, grand,
active public space for Washingtonians, much like
Grand Central station in New York or Union Station,
just steps away on Massachusetts Avenue.
In sum, a reinvigorated Mount Vernon Square, a
re-programmed Carnegie Library building, active
ground oor uses in buildings fronting the Square,
a exible event space along 8th Street and a new
living room in the convention center are excellent
ingredients to make Mount Vernon Square a
powerful new great place among its adjacent
neighborhoods.
Transportation
MVS district is accessed by several transportation
modes: pedestrians, bicycles, vehicles, the Circulator
system, Metro bus and Metro rail. In addition, a
new streetcar route on K Street is planned. The
districts current infrastructure is not well suited to
accommodate these diverse travel modes, leading
to inefciencies on bus routes along 7th street NW,
vehicular congestion at the Square and on New
York and Massachusetts Avenues, and frequent
pedestrian-vehicular conicts. In addition, growth
along 9th street, a street that could function as a
main street for Shaw, is inhibited due to constrained
access.
This project envisions a future a transportation system
that integrates and balances multiple transit modes.
Transportation concepts for the square include a
one-way loop, a partial one-way loop (7th and 9th
Streets become two-way streets) and a two-way
loop around Mount Vernon Square. Each concept
accommodates essential mid-block pedestrian
crossings at 8th Street, south of the Square and an
equivalent one at the front door to the Convention
Center, north of the Square.
The Square is envisioned as an intermodal transfer
point for transit riders to switch transit modes
between circulator, streetcar or metro bus or to
change direction from east-west routes to north-south
As Washington DCs downtown grows eastward
along the K Street corridor, and the demand
for in-town residential premises grows, Mount
Vernon Square is becoming an increasingly
important location. The square is at the nexus
of changing transportation infrastructure,
strong residential growth, and increasing
demand for local-serving retail and high
quality public spaces.
These changes, coupled with its proximity
to such landmark buildings and districts
as the Convention Center, the White House,
the Portrait Gallery, the National Mall, the
historic Shaw neighborhood, and Gallery
Place/Chinatown make a compelling case for
a revitalized Square and Carnegie Library
building, recalling its history as a dynamic,
integral part of the city.
6
Mount Vernon Square District Design Project
routes. The design offers an improved pedestrian
network across the square itself as well as a location
for respite and recreation. Enhanced bus and bike
facilities are accommodated on 7th Street, 9th Street,
and Massachusetts Avenue NW with enhanced
signage.
Open Space Network
Mount Vernon Square districts open space
system includes a constellation of thirteen federal
reservations, located at the districts corners and
its center and the wide sidewalks of K Street NW,
Massachusetts and New York Avenues. These
reservations and rights-of-way are important legacies
of the historic LEnfant Plan, and over time left historic
evidence of rich landscape character providing
green space and amenities for the surrounding
residents. The current unappealing character, the
result of years of neglect, combined with the auto-
dominated roadways east of the square has resulted
in a public environment not conducive to pedestrian
movements.
Recent and future new developments along
Massachusetts Avenue, such as City Vista at K and
5th Streets, Center City on the old convention center
site, the Gould Developments along Massachusetts
Avenue east of the Square suggests that there is a
great need for the public space amenities parks,
plazas, sidewalks - that are so vital to making
successful residential neighborhoods. The bowtie
parks at the corners of the district, now mostly
green leftovers, are particularly instrumental in
augmenting the network of green space available
to residents. This project provides recommendations
for upgrades to the bowtie parks that build on their
historic role as neighborhood amenities, meanwhile
also adapting them to become parts of the
neighborhoods in which they reside.
Reservations 68 and 69 (the northwest pair of bow-
tie parks) are in better condition than the others and
utilized by the growing residential population of
the area. The southwest bowtie parks (reservations
173 and 174) are within the downtown area and
frequented by ofce workers. Reservation 173 in
particular is well used during lunch hours by ofce
workers. Design elements such as additional trees
and paved areas demarcated for performances and
gatherings will enhance the parks vitality during
the lunch hours and beyond. Across New York
Avenue, Reservation 174 is an important part of the
future City Center development by Hines/Archstone
planned for the site of the old convention center.
Bowtie parks to the east are most in need of
enhancements. The southeast parks (Reservations
72, 73, 74) are at the cusp of Chinatown and
Mount Vernon Triangle and adjacent to several
new developments with residents who will need
park amenities. The northeast parks (Reservations
177, 178) are subject to similar demographic
growth pressures as development occurs around
them. Reservation 177 is currently a parking lot,
while much of Reservation 178 is fenced off from
public access. Between the two parks is New York
Avenue, a major deterrent for pedestrians and to the
integration of Shaw to the north with Mount Vernon
Triangle to the south.
In sum, recommendations for the pairs of bowtie
parks include new edge treatments such as fences
and hedges, new pathways within the parks,
enhanced crosswalks and sidewalks around
the parks, lighting, public art and signage. The
recommendations will provide future residents with
valuable park spaces, will reinforce Mount Vernon
Square districts identity and will unify it with the
adjacent neighborhoods of Shaw, Logan, Mount
Vernon Triangle, Downtown and Chinatown.
7
Executive Summary
1. A dynamic center that gives Mount Vernon Square
District an identity
Transformative change will begin at the new Districts
Center - Mount Vernon Square, the Convention
Center, 8th Street and the surrounding developments.
The center will be a destination for surrounding
residents, for conventioneers, for visitors from the
National Mall, Gallery Place/Chinatown and for
ofce workers. The public realm here will give
identity for a distinct new District.
TRANSFORMING THE DISTRICT
2. A transportation system that is responsive to local,
rather than commuter needs
A new transportation plan will balance the needs
of various modes, introduce new, sustainable
transportation options and make public parks
and plazas more accessible. The focus will be on
integrating the various public transit options that
traverse the District to offer convenient access to and
from Mount Vernon Square.
3. A diverse system of green space that makes MVS
district attractive for future residents and creates a
framework for sustainable growth.
A cohesive plan for the Districts Federal
Reservations, plazas, Avenues and Streets will create
public space amenities to attract new residents,
serve existing residents and workers and that further
Washington DCs agenda for a sustainable public
realm, by greening the streets and integrating low
impact development and storm water solutions in all
public realm projects; encouraging high standards
of sustainability from private sector projects through
policy incentives such as tax credits, to include
techniques such as green roofs, the use of solar
energy.
4. A business strategy to fund and manage
transformation
While long term trends for Mount Vernon Square
District are positive, the immediate economic
environment will remain a challenge in the short
to medium term; as this situation changes, a
District-wide management entity will be formed to
coordinate private sector developments, harness
public sector transportation and capital improvement
funds and actively program and manage the Districts
open spaces.
An attractive green center conducive for variety of
activities
Rights-of-way where various transportation modes co-exist Streets are retrotted with shade trees and Low Impact
Development features
Open spaces that are valuable to residents and visitors An entity responsible for programing and revenue generation
A robust upkeep and maintenance program
Pedestrian-prioritized and bicycle-friendly environment
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A 5-minute walk from the Center
to neighborhood parks
The Carnegie Library building, its
grounds and the Federal Reservations -
A new center for Mount Vernon Square
District, with active programming,
recongured grounds, linkages to the
Convention Center and 8th Street NW
and building additions at the northeast
and northwest corners
A publicly accessible Convention Center,
with programmed events and exhibitions
in its headhouse, and active uses at its
corners
The northwest bowtie parks -
upgrades such as new benches,
sidewalk repairs and landscape
treatments will create an enhanced
neighborhood asset.
The southwest bowtie parks - a
new downtown park that features
space for small performances and
enhanced landscape treatment,
providing sense of enclosure,
shade and buffer from New York
Avenue
The northeast bowtie parks - curb
realignments, restriped crosswalks,
possible relocation of parking lot and
appropriate design of fences create
a new neighborhood asset for Mount
Vernon Triangle and Shaw.
The southeast bowtie parks - curb
realignments, restriped crosswalks,
hardpaved and softpaved areas,
and appropriate design of fences
along the edges create viable parks
for Mount Vernon Triangle and
Chinatown.
VISION
7th Street NW - a major link to points
north and south will accommodate
21st century transportation facilities for
buses, pedestrians and vehicles; its retail
environment will be extended north of
Mount Vernon Square.
8th Street NW - a new public environment,
with active programming and streetscape
upgrades that make it a pleasing
pedestrian environment; events become a
revenue source for the city.
9th Street NW - a major link to points north
and south will accommodate quality retail and
21st century transportation facilities for bikes,
pedestrians and vehicles; sidewalks along
1000 and 1100 blocks are expanded to allow
convenient pedestrian movements and create
spillout space for retail outlets.
9
Executive Summary
STRATEGIC APPROACH
Build on the recent success of
Gallery Place/ Chinatown.
Leverage underutilized public assets
within Mount Vernon Square District to
generate revenue for the City.
Integrate public assets with adjacent
private property, to maximize value
for all.
Leverage future transportation assets
the streetcar to help fund catalytic
changes to the Center, and on Street
Rights-of-way.
1 2 3 4
The Mount Vernon District is the logical next great
neighborhood of the downtown and directly benets
from the revitalization of Chinatown and Gallery
Place. Strategically, the extension of 7th and 9th
Streets, both energetic drivers of much of the new
downtown, though the new Mount Vernon District
connects the success of that area to the Square
and areas to the north in Shaw. The vision for the
Square itself completes the entertainment/retail
focus of Chinatown/Gallery Place with opportunities
for larger, destination activities at the edges of
the Square and reproposing opportunities at the
Carnegie Library and the head house of the Walter
Washington Convention Center.
Great public places provide value for the cities in
which they reside. Mount Vernon Square provides
a signicant opportunity for the city to realize
revenue via the use of the space of the Square itself
and creative management of the Carnegie Library
building. Revenue potential should be developed via
managed programming related and complementary
to existing uses, such as the Convention Center, the
entertainment district at Gallery Place/Chinatown
and new development planned for the area.
The Mount Vernon Square District includes, in
addition to signicant public assets such as the
Square, the Carnegie Library and the Bow-tie Parks,
large sites for private redevelopment. The citys
vision for the district should assist private developers
and property owners to envision how their assets
can assume an important role in the revitalization
from ground level uses, to architectural character
and design.
The promise of further transportation enhancements,
such as the K Street streetcar at the Square brings
with it the opportunity for signicant improvements to
the design of the Square itself, such as improvements
to the streetscape and sidewalk system and better
denition and clarity to surface vehicle circulation.
Future transportation improvements should be
embraced at the Square as essential and iconic
elements of a great public place.
7th and H Street, in Gallery Place/ Chinatown Bryant Park, Manhattan
The grounds are used as exible event space that brings revenue.
Bryant Park, Manhattan
Since its makeover, properties adjacent to the park have
benetted immensely in value and have gained an open
space resource.
If used in an integrated way, the funds available for the Streetcar
in Washington could also be used to re-congure Mount Vernon
Square such that it is more accessible.
10
Implement a 21st century
transportation system
Integrate green technologies in public
space and private properties
Business strategies Phased implementation
5 6 7 8
Mount Vernon Square is located at the nexus of
several important transportation assets, including the
regular DC street grid, arterial streets such as New
York and Massachusetts Avenues, and a stop on the
Metros Yellow and Green lines. The future success
of the district is equally dependent upon continuing
to enhance existing assets via multi-modal streets
that include bike lanes and facilities, bus lanes for
efcient surface transportation and provision for the
eventual arrival of a streetcar system, enhancing east-
west movement.
The Mount Vernon Square District has the opportunity
to embrace green technologies and become a
model for neighborhood identity for sustainable
development. Incentives must be developed to
encourage the implementation of such techniques as
green roofs, solar energy and storm water harvesting
and low-impact development practices. Many places
exist in the District for the city to provide visible and
energetic leadership, such as the use of LIDs in the
Square, streetscapes and Bow-tie parks and other
public spaces. The vast territory of the roof of the
Convention Center provides a signicant opportunity
for solar energy collection.
While the prospect of success for the Mount Vernon
Square District is promising in the long term, todays
economic climate presents signicant challenges.
To address these challenges will take a strong,
viable business approach that streamlines decision
making and leverages what scarce funds there are
towards a common goal. To that end the formation
of a business and management entity to oversee
the Districts transformation is a necessity; this entity
may be modeled along the lines of several others in
Washington - the Downtown DC BID, the NoMA BID,
and Mt. Vernon Triangle CID. Key issues the business
entity will address include
* Monogemenl ol publlcly conlrolled ossels,
* Fundlng mechonlsms,
* Brondlng ond morkellng slrolegles,
* Leoslng slrolegles.
Immediate (0 to 3 years)
Implement crises-xes on sidewalks, enhance all
crosswalks, implement public space projects that are
not contingent on private sector involvement; obtain
approvals as necessary; establish management entity
for MVS District.
Short term (3 to 5 years)
Complete transportation analyses; encourage private
sector development as economic recovery takes
shape; implement changes to Mount Vernon Square
in coordination with Streetcar alignment.
Long term (Over 5 years)
Projects that are more capital-intensive or that require
additional approvals, design development, private
sector participation.
Paris
State-of-the art pedestrian and bike facilities augment motorized
transit and cars; streets are truly multi-modal.
The wide rights-of-way in Mount Vernon Square District could
provide signicant green space that is an open space amenity
and a way to incorporate Low Impact Development techniques
in public space.
A vehicle to coordinate the signicant private and public
investment that is in the pipeline in Mount Vernon Square
District. Examples include the Bryant Park District in Manhattan
(above).
11
Executive Summary
* Complele molnlenonce ogreemenls wllh lhe Mollonol
Park Service (NPS) for Reservation Numbers 68,
69,72,73,74,173,177 and 178.
* Complele oll coordlnollon ond opprovols wllh DDCl,FA
for palette of materials for sidewalks and street trees.
* lmplemenl lnexpenslve, lemporory upgrodes lo Mounl
Vernon Squares grounds that will encourage visitors
and neighboring residents to use the grounds and
unify the north edge of the Square with the Convention
Center across Mount Vernon Place NW. Coordinate
with stakeholders and government agencies to establish
management entity for Mount Vernon Squares grounds
and the Carnegie Library Building.
* Complele deslgn drowlngs lor lhe Squore lhol enhonce
pedestrian connectivity and safety through the Square,
provide opportunities for events and increase overall
beautication.
* Reuse lhe Cornegle bulldlngs wesl wlng os o reslouronl
linked to outdoor spaces along the north edge of the
Square.
* Deslgn ond lmplemenl permonenl oddlllons lo lhe Cornegle
Library Building to enhance the amount of usable space and
programmatic diversity within the building.
* lmplemenl chonges lo Squore, such os:
o Expand the Square outwards, after re-
allocation of lanes on 7th, 9th, K Streets NW
and Mount Vernon Place NW to accommodate the
K Street streetcar alignment.
o Install protective elements around the Square -
fences, trees - and implement other changes to the
Squares grounds including lighting, seating, and
terraces for events.
o Re-align paths within the Square
* Deslgn ond lmplemenl chonges lo Bowlle Porks ond
adjoining sidewalks.
* Complele lronsler ol |urlsdlcllon over Bowlle Porks lo lhe
District of Columbia.
Recommendations to create a
cohesive system of Parks, Streets
and Open Spaces
Recommendations for Mount
Vernon Square and the Carnegie
Library Building - A Dynamic,
Active Center
A Business Strategy for Coordinated
Economic Development
Recommendations for a 21st
Century Transportation System
IMMEDIATE (1 TO 3 YEARS) SHORT TERM (3 TO 5 YEARS) LONG TERM (OVER 5 YEARS)
* lmplemenl slgnollzollon phoslng ond llmlng chonges,
curbside management and lane reconguration on 7th
and 9th Streets NW to address immediate pedestrian
and trafc issues related to queuing distances, potential
pedestrian/vehicular conicts, double parking and tour bus
parking.
* Reslrlpe crosswolks oround Mounl Vernon Squore ond lhe
Bowtie parks to enhance pedestrian access to parks and
open spaces.
* Exomlne woyhndlng slgnoge lmprovemenls opproochlng
and around the Square (signage and/or pavement
markings).
* Add lree nodes on 10lh Slreel MV lo lmprove pedeslrlon
conditions.
* Focllllole beller lronsll on Zlh Slreel wllh lronsll slgnol
priority, increased bus lane enforcement.
* Eslobllsh o monogemenl enllly lo shepherd lhe
redevelopment process for Mount Vernon Square District
and coordinate the activities of real estate development
projects in Mount Vernon Square.
* Coordlnole wllh DDCl, olher governmenl ogencles ond
work closely with consultants to develop implementation-
oriented projects for Mount Vernon Square District.
* Complele o brondlng ond morkellng plon lor Mounl
Vernon Square District and re-position Mount Vernon
Square and the Carnegie Library Building. Design and
deploy distinct public realm branding elements for Mount
Vernon Square District.
* Creole oddlllonol zonlng, olher lncenllves, bosed
on short-term performance of retail and other
commercial properties.
* Complele oll lronsporlollon onolyses lor Mounl Vernon
Square District.
* Sludy lmpocls ond lnsloll mldblock crosslngs ol lhe
intersections of 8th Street NW with K Street NW and
Mount Vernon Place NW (in front of the Convention
Center) and bulb-outs at the intersection of 8th and I
Streets NW.
* Enhonce lronsll ond blke locllllles by morklng lones on
pavement with special patterns; add a protected cycle
track to the 9th Street corridor using space from eliminating
the bus-bike lane.
* Exomlne need lor blke lones on Zlh Slreel wllh lulure lones
on 6th and 9th Streets.
* Coordlnole oddlllonol sludles wllh Slreelcor plonnlng
work, ensuring that recommendations from this plan
are incorporated into NEPA work and the Alternatives
Analysis.
* lhese sludles wlll be dependenl on lulure Slreelcor plons
and environmental analyses. Studies should be sure to
cover topics that include - analyzing the split streetcar lines
around the square to link both sides of K Street, analyzing
a 1-way trafc loop conguration, analyzing 7th and 9th
as a one-way pair; timing of this study will be contingent
on timing and funding of the streetcar segment.
TIMELINE OF RECOMMENDATIONS
12
-13-
Draft
The following 10 projects are key to the transformation of Mount Vernon Square district
into a vibrant, economically successful, sustainable district.
2. PRIORITY PROJECTS
PRI ORI TY PROJECT 1
Program and design Mount Vernon Square and the Carnegie Library Building to
become a dynamic place that includes public park functions, cultural uses and events
space, restaurant/caf/vending, visitor and other destination-type uses; address design
deciencies of paths, edges and pedestrian amenities within the Square.
THE SQUARE
The Problem
Mount Vernon Square, although one of the largest spaces
of the historic LEnfant Plan, today asserts little inuence
as a place for formal or informal activities. Few of the
uses at the edges of the space support activities that go
on within the square and the cultural uses that do occur
happen without a regular schedule or program of activities.
Public space deciencies, such as unclear cross-walks,
unconnected or undirected paths within the square and a
building designed to focus inward, not outward, contribute
to a place that is under-utilized and uncoordinated.
The Future
Mount Vernon Square and the Carnegie Library building
offer a unique opportunity to create a dynamic and exciting
place. All of the constituent elements of the square: the
buildings at edges and the center, the supporting landscape
and pedestrian environment and the attendant activities
of the square proper are to be designed in a coordinated
scheme that enhances the daily public activity of the square
as well as an ongoing series of public events and related
uses. The following are elements of a future Square:
1. A public park design that facilitates the ease of
pedestrian movement to activities in Square and
through the Square to the WWCC, retail locations on
7th and 9th Streets and the revitalized 8th Street. The
new design features a path system that recognizes
the front door of the convention center, a parterre (a
raised outdoor terrace) accessed from the park and the
Carnegie library building, new mid-block crossings at
the north and south sides of the Square, an improved
cross walk system that gives clear guidance to movement
through and around the Square, and event places within
the park.
2. Landscape design and maintenance programs that
support good public space design, such as dening
the edges of the Square with hedges or small fences
to shield the pedestrian environment from surrounding
trafc, climbing up the trees in the Square to avoid the
current overgrown appearance, and a planting scheme
that supports positive public surveillance yet yields a
sense of place and ownership by the community.
3. The Square supports cultural uses associated with the
Conve cing the WWCC in the new plaza, along the
edges of the Square along 9th, 7th and the southern
edge of the Square, and in the front lobby of the
WWCC. Visitor activities are located within the
Carnegie Library building and are supported by the
activities of the square.
5. Enhance the spatial openness of the square by trimming
lower hanging branches of tree in the square.
Above, right: Mount Vernon Square today
Below, right: The square with recongured pathways,
landscape treatment and midblock crosswalks to
connect to 8th Street NW and the Convention Center.
14
Inner pathways
Glassy Pavilions
Paved outdoor areas
The parterre
Inner gardens
Outer gardens
The transformation of the Square enhances the civic presence of the Carnegie
building and its grounds, and offer a vibrant destination - a true social and
ecological center for MVS district.
THE SQUARE
15
Priority Projects
8TH STREET AS FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE
Develop the former 8th Street right-of-way between I and K Streets as a exible
events space and restore pedestrian crossings between 8th Street and the Square and
between the Carnegie Building and the main entrance of the Convention Center.
The Problem
Eighth Street is ideally located to become an
important part of the revitalization of Mount
Vernon Square yet currently it provides little or no
enhancement to the public vitality of the place. It
possesses signicant resources, such as a short,
pedestrian only area just south of the Square, and
many handsome recent and historic facades. In
addition, the street is terminated in the majestic
portico of the National Portrait Gallery of the
Smithsonian Institution.
The Future
Eighth Street provides a signicant key to the
revitalization of the Square and is well positioned to
be one of the rst places in the area to under go a
positive transformation. The section of Eighth Street
directly to the south of MVS can immediately be
used as a place for exible events and concerts, and
be further enhanced by coordinated activities and
design improvements with the adjacent Renaissance
Hotel and the Convention Center.
Design features to be included are:
Overhead lighting, a sun shade stretching across
the street, and a location for a stage to hold events.
Further down the street, places for events associated
with conventions in the area could be imagined, such
as an outdoor book fare or evening fashion show.
To enhance the inclusion of Eighth Street into the
Mount Vernon Square District, it is essential to insert
a mid-block crossing at the south side of the Square
so that activities and venues on Eighth can be directly
connected to the Square and eventually the WWCC.
A corresponding mid-block crosswalk on the north
side from the north faade of the Carnegie Library
to the WWCC permits a direct connection via a
redesigned pathway system in the Square from north
to south.
Further projects include an improved streetscape to
the south, enhanced way-nding elements and a
public art strategy (coordinated with the DCCAH)
and a possible use of the museum portico as a
backdrop for theatrical productions.
8TH STREET AS FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE
8th Street NW has minimal vehicular trafc. During weekends and
non-rush hours, the entire street could be closed for programmed
activities such as markets, events and festivities. The block between
I and K Streets NW (shown in this illustration) is completely closed
to trafc and can be transformed in the very near term into a
exible events space. The images to the left depict possible public
environments along the street, with Asian inuences that build on
the presence of Chinatown to the east.
17
Priority Projects
The Problem
The Convention Center is a major attraction for the
city of Washington, DC yet, although the Center is
a design success for convention activities, its role
as quality place for activities that engage and
enhance the public environment of the Square and
the larger district is minimal. In particular, the south
facing faade along the northern edge of the Square
provides little other than a location for entry and
taxicabs.
The Future
Design changes to the way in which the Walter
Washington Convention Center engages the Square
can establish the Center as a less internally focused
institution, and helping to establish a unique sense of
place with activities that bring benets to visitors and
residents alike.
Projects to advance this transformation include:

1. A high quality restaurant and/or caf with
exterior advertising on the southern exterior
faade of the Convention Center located in the
southern lobby of the center and open to the
general public.
2. Exterior table service for a restaurant and/or
caf in the corner sidewalk areas at 7th and 9th
Streets where they meet the Square.
3. The transformation of the large headhouse
lobby of the Convention Center to a vibrant
public room like the main hall at Union Station,
with the inclusion of uniquely DC features, such
as small exhibits from the Smithsonian and
thematic displays connected to the Visitors Center
located at the Square across the street.
Mt. Vernon Place NW
Left and below: Additions to
the corners of the Convention
Center will bring active uses
to Mount Vernon Place. The
corner additions will reinforce
the pavilions at the northwest
and northeast corners of Mount
Vernon Square.
Below: A transformed Convention Center lobby. The inward-focussed lobby of the Convention Center could be
transformed into a living room for the city, with active programming, community forums and exhibitions.
Transform the front hall of the Convention Center to a truly public place. Analyze
ways to accomplish this through the development of a restaurant, caf or other retail
function and by creating a mini-Smithsonian or other visitor functions.
CONVENTION CENTER
18
This page: A transformed Convention Center
lobby. Possible program ideas include joint
exhibitions with the Smithsonian and other
area museums.
CONVENTION CENTER
19
Priority Projects
The Problem
The arrival of the streetcar provides and additional
opportunity for the transformation of the identity of
the Square and to bring additional uses and visitors
to the cultural, entertainment and retail activities in
the district. Although no alignment has yet been
determined for the streetcar, the sequence of projects
planned to transform the Square must not preclude
adaptation to the streetcar needs for space and
character. In addition, alignment options must be
reviewed with respect to enhancing the activity in
and around the Square and supporting venues that
either currently exist or planning for the future.
The Future
The transformation of the Square includes transit at
the core of the vision.
The following principles apply:
1. Transit stops are located to enhance emerging
patterns of pedestrian access and activity on the
Square.
2. Eastbound and westbound stops are located to
the south and north, respectively, of the Square
and are designed to serve enhanced access and
visibility of the Square activities, Eighth Street and
the Convention Center.
3. The inclusion of transit in the revitalized Square
is the main opportunity to visit the amount of
cartway needed for surface transportation and
make any adjustments necessary, such as widened
sidewalks and street plantings.
4. Infrastructure changes to accommodate transit are
developed in accordance with design guidelines
for the revitalized Square and environs.
Streetcar tracks
Left: Streetcar track
alignment alternative 1.
This alignment alternative
allows one-way
circulation north and
south of the Square on
Mount Vernon Place
NW and K Street NW.
Circulation on 7th and
9th Streets NW is exible
- either two-way or a one-
way conguration. Final
decisions regarding one-
way or two-way ows will
be made after detailed
analyses is conducted.
Left: Streetcar track
alignment alternative 2.
This alignment alternative
allows two-way circulation
on Mount Vernon Place
NW, K Street NW, 7th
and 9th Streets NW. The
streetcar runs in a cross-
over fashion -
1. Eastbound, the streetcar
makes a left turn from K
Street NW west of the
square and a right turn
on to Mount Vernon Place
NW.
2. In the westbound
direction, the streetcar
makes a left turn from K
Street NW east of the
square and a right turn
onto K Street south of the
square.
Dedicated bus lane
Cycle track
Enhanced pedestrian
crosswalks
Build upon the streetcar project, capitalizing on the alternatives analysis and other
studies as a means to showcase transit and enhance place-making. Major decisions
about the Square and circulation around it --- whether on foot, bicycle, in transit or a
motor vehicle --- will be inuenced by the generation of additional pedestrian trafc
associated with the streetcar. The streetcar project and the K Street transit way
project are likely to necessitate implementation of the longer term trafc circulation
changes around the Square. Hence, major physical infrastructure investment in the
Square itself will most likely take place at that time.
THE STREETCAR
20
Preparation for the DC
Streetcar
The team developed several different alternatives
for the streetcar along K Street on the east and west
sides of the Square. The team discussed pros and
cons of several aspects, such as:
Track alignment; t
Stop Placement; t
Signal timing; t
Coordination with placemaking on the Square t
and along 8th Street;
Impacts on Trafc and several scenarios to t
change the trafc pattern;
Impacts on pedestrian crossings, including mid- t
block crosswalks;
Addressing bicycle circulation; t
Parking. t

Before any decisions can be made, the DC Streetcar
must conduct appropriate NEPA reviews, which are
scheduled for 2011. The information gathered in this
study will be used as groundwork for the Streetcar
NEPA process.
21
Priority Projects
The Problem
Currently no regulatory measures exist to promote
the development of a world-class public place and
destination for the city.
The Future
Zoning measures are enacted to require the
following:
1. Ground oor space that faces the Square is
required to host restaurant and/or food uses.
2. Incentives are developed to promote the possibility
of outdoor dining along K, 7th, 9th, the southern
edge of the Square and at the intersections
leading into the Square at Massachusetts and
New York Avenues.
3. Zoning is developed to prohibit the placement of
service or garage entries directly facing onto the
Square and to support main entries into ground
oor destination and restaurant uses are located
facing the Square.
Right: Zoning overlay district
shown in dotted lines.
Regulations should require
active ground oor uses,
transparent facades and front
doors to retail establishments,
ofce lobbies and other uses.
Zoning regulations should be
developed requiring active ground
oor uses, transparent facades, front
doors and lobbies and help activate
the frame (sidewalks and building
frontages) of Mount Vernon Square.
Enact zoning to ensure active-street uses in buildings framing the Square.
ZONING REGULATIONS
22
23
Priority Projects
The Problem
The Carnegie Library Building is a handsome
historic building and lends its unique character to
the sense of the place of the Square. However,
the building was designed as an internally focused
public building with one primary entry and is raised
a signicant amount above the main level of the
Square. Only the south facing side of the building
retains a public scale and sense of connection to the
exterior although the building does possess interior
spaces of signicant dimension and quality that are
currently used for public and private events.
Current programming for the building does not
generate a consistent level of public activity and
those activities are only moderately coordinated with
surrounding entities, such as the Convention Center
and local convention hotels.
A Management Entity:
The management entity for the overall district is the
best advocate for the future use of the Carnegie
Library Building with the building assisting in
the future success of the Historical Society, the
Convention Center and other city-wide resources and
institutions. The management entity is charged with
the following for the Carnegie Library building itself:
1. The management of the programming and
scheduling of the Carnegie Library to promote
public access and activities at the building.
2. To design and support the interaction of activities
that occur both in and outside of the library on the
grounds of the Square.

New program in the west
wing of the Carnegie Library
building - possible uses include a
destination restaurant.
A new parterre addition expands
the amount of usable fair-weather
space of the building.
Add pavilions with active
program - potentially food and
vending - to the corners of the
Square to create a stronger draw
for the building.
Reinforce the image of the
building by adding paths and
other landscape elements that
are harmonious and do not
detract from the historic frontage
of the building.
Make pathways more inviting,
so pedestrians are encouraged
to walk through Mount Vernon
Square, thereby increasing the
visibility and exposure of the
buildings program.
Make pedestrian access to the
building convenient by adding a
midblock crossing at 8th and K
Streets NW.
Expand access to the central atrium of
the Carnegie building through additional
visitor related functions; expand revenue
generating potential of the atrium by
more effective event management and
programming.
Expand the opportunities of the Carnegie Library Building, via a public space
management and development partnership that includes the District government,
the Historical Society of Washington DC, the Downtown BID, the Mount Vernon
Triangle CID, the Washington Convention Center and Sports Authority, and other
necessary entities. Promote creative uses and development potential that turn the
building and surrounding grounds into a valuable asset for the city.
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING
24
The Problem
Public spaces in the district currently fall under
several different management entities: the National
Park Service, the District and the Convention Center
Authority. In addition, several private organizations
control space, such as the Renaissance Hotel which
controls the pedestrian street south of the Square at
Eighth Street.
The National Park Service controls the majority of the
bow-tie parks along New York and Massachusetts
Avenues and generally provides service to those
areas such as landscape maintenance and grass
cutting. As such, the open spaces in the MVS district
have suffered from a lack of unity and design and
although the places themselves are large in size, they
are not inviting and have in most cases little to offer
to the public realm.
The Future
A management entity for the district and the Square
provides for a coordinated point of contact for
design, programming and maintenance such that a
unied vision can be created and sustained. Such an
entity would derive its powers from private property
owners, institutions, the city, and the National Park
Service and be charged with the following:
1. Guide the implementation of the redesigned public
space of the Square and the Bow-tie parks.
2. Work with property owners of yet-to-be developed
sites to assume that individual property visions and
the overall vision for the district are compatible.
3. Coordinate the scheduling of public activities in
public buildings and public spaces.
4. Market the district and the Square as a unique
place for visitors, businesses and residents.
5. Set design standards that will assure a high quality
and identiable place within the city fabric.
Above: Graphic depiction of a potential
Mount Vernon Square Business Improvement
District OR Community Improvement District,
with representation from key stakeholders.
The MVS BID/CID Board consists of
seven persons, three from the group
of property owners, one each from
the Convention Center and the
Historical Society; the remaining two
members maybe selected from any of
the other agencies. The Board will
hire an executive director.
District of Columbia
government
Agencies
Federal
Government
Agencies (NPS,
NCPC)
Property
Owners
DC
Convention
Center
Neighborhood
Associations
The Historic
Society of
Washington DC
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUSINESSES AND
OWNERS
MAJOR ANCHOR FOR
MVS DISTRICT
RESIDENTS
LEASEHOLDERS
3
1 1
Downtown DC
BID staffs a MVS BID/CID as
an interim arrangement
Form a nancing and management entity for the Square and all the parks in the
Mount Vernon Square District, including those controlled by the National Park
Service and those controlled by the District, to improve them as neighborhood
amenities with high quality design, adequate funding, maintenance, and
programming. Transfer all bow-tie parks and the open space of MVS to the District.
PUBLIC SPACE STEWARDSHIP
25
Priority Projects
The Problem
A unique opportunity along 9th Street exists to
create a vibrant neighborhood retail area, which
would serve in contrast to destination oriented retail
located around the Square and along 7th Street to
the southeast. Currently, narrow sidewalks dene
the western side north of the Square and although
the convention center does contain retail storefronts
along its western side, the large width of the street
combined with little activity on the western side of
Ninth Street leaves the area somewhat lacking.
The Future
Provides for complementary neighborhood serving
retail along Ninth Street with destination retail at the
Square and further south. Along Ninth Street the
following physical changes are necessary:
1. Ninth Street must be narrowed on the western side
north of the Square to permit the sidewalk to be
narrowed for retail activity.
2. Retail storefronts along the western elevation of
the Convention Center facing Ninth Street should
be redesigned to allow greater shading, more
recognizable branding and signage and improved
access.
3. Ground level uses of the new convention center
hotel planned for the corner of Ninth and
Massachusetts Avenue should be coordinated
to support the transition from destination retail
activities on the Square to retail that serves
neighborhood needs.
Existing curb impedes
pedestrian movements.
Relocated curb line gives
additional space for
sidewalk on west side of
9th Street NW.
Re-imagine 9th Street north of the Square into a street that supports neighborhood
retail, by widening the sidewalk on the west side of the street and by increasing the
visibility and identity of the retail located within the Convention Center on the east
side of the street.
9TH STREET NORTH OF THE SQUARE
26
This page: A transformed 9th Street
NW, looking north - an expanded
sidewalk offers pedestrians more
room to maneuver, businesses more
space for display and spill out and
additional space for landscape
treatment.
27
Priority Projects
Potential section through Mount Vernon Place NW.
One-way circulation, reduced roadway width and a midblock crosswalk make pedestrian crossings easier.
An expanded sidewalk allows additional room for pedestrians on the square.
Potential section through K Street NW south of Mount Vernon Square.
One-way circulation, reduced roadway width and midblock crosswalks make pedestrian crossings easier.
An expanded sidewalk allows additional room for pedestrians, bike movements.
P
The Problem
Today, movement around the Square for all modes
- pedestrians, cars, bikes and buses - lacks legibility.
During the peak hours, cars are often stuck in long
queues which impact pedestrian crossings and bus
operations.
From a place making perspective, the wide
roadways to the north and south of the Square
impede a synergistic relationship between Mount
Vernon Square, the Convention Center, and 8th
Street. Learning from similar examples (Stanton
Square, Lincoln Park, Dupont Circle) in the city with
one-way trafc circulation, the movements of trafc
around the square must be simplied. One way
circulation also requires fewer lanes and makes
pedestrian crossings safer.
The Future
Mount Vernon Square will potentially be surrounded
by one-way or partial one-way trafc that will
make pedestrian movements across K Street NW
south of the square and Mount Vernon Square
more convenient. A new streetcar alignment will be
accommodated, with stops on the square.
Make a legible system of movements for all modes around the Square, and for
pedestrians moving through the Square; the system should alleviate current
trafc and transportation issues while also accommodating future changes
(such as the streetcar).
MOVEMENT AROUND AND
THROUGH THE SQUARE
28
A COMPLETE ONE-WAY LOOP FOR
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE, 7TH AND 9TH STREETS NW
An expanded square
7th, 9th K Streets NW and Mount Vernon
Place NW (one-way circulation)
Mid-block crosswalk
LEGEND
1. One-way circulation
2. Widened sidewalks
3. Mid-block crosswalk
4. Trafc calming
5. Two-way circulation
6. Bus lanes on 7th Street/bike lanes on 9th Street
7. Rush hour restricted parking on 9th Street; parking on 7th Street
limited at locations due to bus stop median.
LEGEND
4. Trafc calming
6. Rush hour restricted parking on 9th Street; parking on 7th Street
limited at locations due to bus stop median.
A PARTIAL ONE-WAY LOOP FOR
A TWO-WAY LOOP FOR
LEGEND
1. One-way circulation around Mount Vernon Square
4. One-way pair circulation (7th and 9th Street, south of the Square)
5. Trafc calming
6. Two-way cycle tracks
7. Curbside bus-only lanes
8. Curbside parking
9. One-way circulation (7th and 9th Streets NW, north of the Square)
1
1
1
1
1
1
5 5 6 6
2
3
3
4
1
1
Three transportation concepts will be
forwarded for further analysis before a
nal concept is chosen.
29
Priority Projects
The Problem
Pedestrian movement in the district and around the
Square is fundamentally a residue of an earlier
age and does not recognize or support the way
the Square is used today. Pedestrian movement
is frequently compromised by poorly marked
crosswalks, narrow sidewalks, and uncoordinated
signal timing. Combined with the high volumes of
trafc that pass through the district every day, the
result is a place with less pedestrian activity than
would occur there and a subsequent mediocre public
realm.
Above: crosswalk in Paris. Well marked crosswalks make circulation for pedestrians and bicyclists safer; their
high visibility ensures that motorists can see them. Signage clearly directs bicyclists to a specic zone so as to
minimize conicts and safety features such as bollards enhance pedestrian comfort levels.
The Future
The district must become a better location for
pedestrian activity throughout and can begin to do
so immediately by the following steps:

1. Re-stripe all crosswalks at the Square
2. Aligning signal timing to support pedestrian
activity at the Square and throughout the district.
3. Add mid-block crossings and signals to support
pedestrian movement at the north and south sides
of the Square.
4. Coordinate restriping with the re-design of the
pathways in the Square.
5. Promote disabled access with improved crosswalk
and sidewalk design.
6. Widen the sidewalk at Ninth Street north of the
Square to promote better pedestrian connections
to the Shaw neighborhood.
Paint pedestrian crosswalks throughout the entire Mount Vernon Square
District and ensure that signal timing is optimized for a safe pedestrian
crossing at each location; use pedestrian signage and crosswalk pattern that
are clearly visible to pedestrians and motorists.
CROSSWALKS
30
OVER-ALL PEDESTRIAN
IMPROVEMENTS
- Enhanced crosswalks at the corners of the Square, mid
block crosswalks at Mount Vernon Place and K Street south
of the Square and sidewalk extensions along K Street NW
south of the Square make access to Mount Vernon Square
convenient.
- Recongured pathways within the square offer more direct
connections between 8th Street, the Carnegie building and
the Convention Center than is available today.
- Restriped crosswalks around the Federal Reservations
(the bowtie parks) at the corners of Mount Vernon Square
District make access to these neighborhood amenities more
convenient.
- A 24 wide median, narrow 18 roadways on either side
and sidewalk extensions at the intersections of 8th Street
NW with I Street NW and G Street NW make 8th Street a
pedestrian dominated place, with space for events, markets
and other managed programs; the street offers a direct
connection between the Portrait Gallery and the Carnegie
Library building.
- Space for seating and performances on 8th Street NW
between K and I Streets NW make an inviting destination for
pedestrians.
- The Federal Reservations are within a 5 minute walk of
Mount Vernon Square; dense tree canopies on New York
and Massachusetts Avenues offer pedestrians a shaded
environment to walk between the bowtie parks and Mount
Vernon Square.
N
ew
Yo
rk A
venue N
W
N
ew
Yo
rk A
venue N
W
M
a
ssa
chusetts A
venue N
W
M
a
ssa
chusetts A
venue N
W
8
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
1
4
0
0
fe
e
t
K Street NW
I Street NW
H Street NW
G Street NW
PORTRAIT GALLERY
Mount Vernon Place NW
CONVENTION
CENTER
CARNEGIE LIBRARY
BUILDING
31
Priority Projects
32
33
Realizing the Vision
Dynamic Center: Hub of Activity For
Surrounding Neighborhoods
Transportation Hub: 21st Century
Crossroads
Parks, Plazas and Streets: A Network
of Public Places
A Business Strategy for Coordinated
Action
3. REALIZING THE VISION
34
Washington DC is a city
of diverse neighborhoods,
each with a distinct center
of its own; some of these
centers, e.g. Dupont
Circle, serve multiple
neighborhoods and address
the needs of diverse users
- downtown workers,
neighborhood residents,
shoppers and visitors.
Dupont Circle has a distinct
center, a series of well
dened spaces and edges
that protect users from the
high trafc volumes around
the Circle.
Located between Shaw,
Logan, downtown
Washington, Mount Vernon
Triangle and Chinatown,
Mount Vernon Square has
the potential to become a
space like Dupont Circle,
which unites these distinct
residential, commercial
and entertainment
neighborhoods. In doing
so it will also become the
dynamic center of a new
keystone district.
35
3.1 DYNAMIC CENTER
A hub of activity for surrounding
neighborhoods
36
At the center of the project area, Mount Vernon Square is
an original part of the historic LEnfant Plan for Washington
DC and a historic landmark.
Initially, the Square was the primary open space for the
Northern Liberties neighborhood, and served as a Market
Square, a park, a signicant entryway to the District,
and eventually the location of Andrew Carnegies gift to
Washington, the new Central Library, built in 1903.
The aftermath of the riots of 1968 saw the Square and the
surrounding neighborhoods suffer deterioration. With the
relocation of the central library to its current location at 9th
and G Streets, the Square began to lose its distinct identity
and use.
Today, the Square is the potential cornerstone for
surrounding development activity and plays an important
role in unifying Gallery Place, Chinatown and the
Downtown Washington with the adjacent Shaw, Logan and
Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhoods.
Several impediments to the realization of this potential exist.
The Square lacks a coordinated streetscape at its perimeter
and the current location of sidewalks expose pedestrians
to high trafc volumes. Complex pedestrian movements
are also required to cross the square and is exacerbated
by non-existent or poor crosswalks. Pedestrians are given
very little reason to walk through the Square; destinations
through the Square are unclear. Elements that could help
dene and buffer the pedestrian realm, such as planting
strips, hedges, and fences, commonly found in such
successful places as Dupont Circle, are missing.
Although adjacent to the Washington DC Convention
Center, the Squares north side does little to encourage
interaction with the events and activities of the Convention
Center. Much of the Square in that area turns its back
on the Center. The activities of the Center itself are
focused away from Mount Vernon Square and pedestrian
crossings between the north side of the Square and the
Center are limited to the corners, far away from entries to
the Mount Vernon Library and the Convention Center.

Specic opportunities to realize the Squares potential as a
public space include:
1. Recognizing the difference between the north (WWCC,
urban enclosure) and south (8th Street) sides of the
Square.
2. Transform the Square from a park to an urban
public garden with a renewed character, enhanced
edges and relationship to the surrounding uses;
3. Develop side spaces of the Square for exible
programming related to the Convention Center and other
uses and the possible expansion of the Historical Society
of Washington DC;
4. Link design and programming opportunities to the
Convention Center on the north side of the Square to
include restaurants, food vendors, open markets and other
similar uses;
5. Develop center mid-block pedestrian crossings at north
and south sides to enhance connectivity to adjacent uses
and public spaces;
6. Encourage live programming, such as open to the
public restaurants and cafs in the head-house of the
Convention Center, and provide exterior seating at the
corners of 7th and 9th Streets NW for table service from
the Convention Center.
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE TODAY
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
THE CONVENTION CENTER
8TH STREET NW
37
Realizing the Vision - Dynamic Places
At the heart of Mount Vernon Square District is a dynamic
center that comprises the Carnegie Library building, the
Mount Vernon Square grounds, the DC Convention Center
and a trafc-free section of 8th Street NW between I and
K Streets NW. Also planned are a Convention Center
Headquarter Hotel, which broke ground on the 10th of
November 2010, developments by Gould Properties,
Douglas Jemal Development and Boston Properties. Once
built, these projects will frame the Square and reap immense
value from a revitalized square and public environment.
All surrounding developments should open out onto the
Square, with transparent ground oor facades, attractive
retail fronts, active sidewalks and cohesive landscape,
paving and lighting treatments. The Carnegie Library
building and the surrounding grounds of Mount Vernon
Square, through active programming, adaptive re-use
strategies neighborhood activities, cultural events, and
activities associated with the DC Convention Center will
become an important nexus for the District.
HUB OF ACTIVITY FOR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS
4
3
2
1 8
6
5
7
Future developments around Mount Vernon Square
will create an active frame of streets and buildings.
Convention center hotel
Douglas Jemal Properties
Douglas Jemal Properties
Boston Properties
Gould Properties
Gould Properties
City Center
Carr America
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
The new center comprises Mount
Vernon Squares grounds, the
Carnegie Library building, the
Convention Center, 8th Street NW,
and the frame of streets and
buildings around the Square.
The DC Convention Center (DCCC), a major investment
for the city, is further leveraged and integrated with Mount
Vernon Square through creative programming and event
management, streetscape upgrades, and co-sharing of
facilities for events.
Eighth Street NW south of the Square is a public right-
of-way, closed to trafc and bounded by the Renaissance
Hotel to the west and ofce buildings to the East, and is
ideal as exible space for events that complements the
grounds of the Square and the large internal exhibition
spaces of the Convention Center. Eighth Street presents the
possibility of a synergistic relationship between both the
Convention Center and Mount Vernon Square as a new
destination for the region.
38
THE CENTER - THE CONVENTION CENTER AND MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
THE CONVENTION CENTER
8TH STREET
A synergistic relationship
of programs, events, and
public realm improvements
between the Convention
Center, Mount Vernon
Square and 8th Street
NW creates a hub for
surrounding neighborhoods
and a new destination for
the region.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center -
additions to the corners and active programming
within the lobby will make the Convention Center a
new living room for Washington, with Mount Vernon
Square as its front yard.
Mount Vernon Squares grounds - the north edge is
a plaza space with active programming, outdoor
seating, access to transit and convenient access to
and from the convention center.
8th Street NW as a exible event space,
where programs and events are coordinated
with Mount Vernon Square, the Carnegie
Library building and the Convention Center.
39
1 1 2
2 2
2 3
3 3
4
9
9 10
10
4
3 4 4
6
8
8
8
8
6 7 7
5 5
A parterre addition to the squares grounds serves
as a spill out space for a re-programmed Carnegie
building and exible stage space.
A series of inner gardens serve as a recreational
space for users of the park. These gardens are well-
protected from adjacent trafc and are linked by a
series of steps to the parterre.
An outer pathway allows convenient diagonal shortcuts
for pedestrians through the square.
Outer gardens serve as a protective layer of space
from adjacent trafc movements and allow pedestrians
to move through the square without having to access
the inner gardens.
The Square is expanded to accommodate bike and
streetcar facilities.
Paved areas for outdoor seating to support food
service.
Pavilions for food services and other amenities.
Recongured pathways, to make pedestrian access
more direct.
Potential bicycle-only lane
Potential dedicated bus lane
1
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5
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7
8
9
10
FUTURE MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
40
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MOUNT VERNON SQUARE - SECTION LOOKING NORTH
A series of layered spaces accommodates diverse
uses within the grounds, including outdoor food
and vending, passive recreation, programmed
events. The outer garden spaces shield the grounds
from the negative effects of trafc on Mount
Vernon Place NW, K, 7th and 9th Streets NW.
The expansion of the Squares grounds also makes
room for alternative transportation modes such as
the future streetcar, bicycles, and other modes of
transit.
9TH STREET ROW 85
41
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MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
7TH STREET ROW 85
42
A TRULY PUBLIC CONVENTION CENTER
The Walter Washington Convention Center, a
major investment for the city, can be integrated
with Mount Vernon Square through creative
programming and event management, streetscape
upgrades, and co-sharing of event facilities.
MOUNT VERNON PLACE
CARNEGIE LIBRA
MOUNT VERNO CONVENTION CENTER
43
EIGHTH STREET NW - FLEXIBLE EVENT SPACE
The Convention Center represents a major investment
for Washington DC; to leverage its presence fully, the
Convention Center could be integrated with Mount
Vernon Square through creative programming and event
management, streetscape upgrades, and co-sharing of
facilities for events.
Eighth Street NW, just south of the Square is a public right-
of-way, closed to trafc and bound by the Renaissance
hotel to the west and the JBG ofce building to the East.
This street could be an ideal exible space for events that
supplements the grounds of the Square and the large
internal exhibition spaces of the Convention Center.
ARY BUILDING
ON SQUARE K STREET ROW
BRIDGE
8TH STREET NW
44
THE CONVENTION CENTER TODAY
THE CONVENTION CENTER IN THE FUTURE
Inll at the corners of the Convention
Center provides food and vending,
complementing the proposed
pavilions at the northwest and
northwest corners of Mount Vernon
Square. The new corners help extend
an inviting retail environment north of
the square along 7th and 9th Streets
NW.
45
An expanded square across Mount
Vernon Square in front of the
Convention Center, offers a paved
area for outdoor seating and
engagement with the front door of
the WWCC.
Streetscape improvements - lighting,
landscape elements, signage and a
midblock crossing - unify the front
of the Convention Center with Mount
Vernon Square. A streetcar stop at
the northwest corner of the Square
connects the plaza to a broader,
city-wide audience, including transit
riders and tourists.
THE CONVENTION CENTER AND MOUNT VERNON SQUARE IN THE FUTURE
46
Eighth Street is a signicant key
to the revitalization of the Square
and is positioned to be one of the
rst places to be transformed. The
section of Eighth Street directly
to the south of MVS can be used
immediately for events and concerts,
and further enhanced with design
improvements coordinated with the
adjacent Renaissance Hotel and the
Convention Center.
EIGHTH STREET IN THE FUTURE
47
48
The Carnegie
Library Building
8th Street NW
Ros|oro lron| s|ops on |ho sou|h ol |ho Cornogio
Building.
Complo|o dosign drowings lor |ho building.
ln|roduco o ros|ouron| in |ho wos| wing ol |ho Cornogio
Library Building and connect it with a paved outdoor area
along the north of the Square.
Build por|orro oddi|ions obu||ing |ho wos| ond |ho oos|
of the building; the parterres provide outdoor platforms
that unies the north and south of the Squares grounds.
Build o |ronsporon| oddi|ion |o |ho nor|h loco ol |ho
Carnegie Building to serve as a lobby.
Mount Vernon
Square Grounds
and the NPS
Reservations
RECOMMENDATIONS
Dynamic Center - Hub of Activity For
Surrounding Neighborhoods
1.
2.
Plon| soosonol colorod Nowors in |ho lour smollor
reservations around Mount Vernon Square (Reservation
Numbers 70, 71, 175, 176).
lns|oll |omporory pork oquipmon| - woodon horsos,
|iros ond o|hor ploy oquipmon| - wi|hin |ho Squoro |o
encourage residents of the surrounding communities to
use the Squares grounds.
Unily |ho nor|h odgo ol |ho Squoro wi|h |ho Convon|ion
Center through -
o Paving treatments and Public art;
o Consistent lighting (in trees, low-level and
streetlights);
o Vending kiosks and outdoor seating
along the north edge of the Square; kiosks are
to be placed at the northwest and northeast
corners.
o Outdoor programming for events, food
vending.
Complo|o dosign drowings lor |ho smollor rosorvo|ions
and Square that enhance pedestrian connectivity and
safety through the Square, provide opportunities for
events and increase overall beautication.
lns|oll soo|ing, ligh|ing ond public or| olomon|s wi|hin
the Square.
lmplomon| chongos |o Squoro, such os:
o Accommodate Streetcar stops on the Square.
o Expand the Square, as part of the re-alignment
of 7th, 9th, K Streets NW and Mount Vernon
Place NW to accommodate future Streetcar
tracks.
o Install fences along 7th and 9th Streets NW,
to create a sidewalk environment protected from
adjacent trafc; fences should be installed close
to the curb so that the sidewalks are perceived
as being a part of the Square. Re-align paths
within the Square to create a functional
pedestrian circulation system
Coordino|o wi|h surrounding businossos [|ho
Renaissance Hotel, JBG properties) to program outdoor
events and food vending along 8th Street NW, between
I and K Streets NW. Also install landscape elements in
planters to provide shade, places of respite.
Progrom opon oir ovon|s/ vonuos wi|h |ho Convon|ion
Center, Chinatown Merchants and the Smithsonian along
8th Street NW between G and H Streets NW at the
Portrait Gallery.
Work wi|h DCCAH |o croo|o o public or| progrom lor
8th Street NW.
Dovolop o s|roo|scopo |o occommodo|o vonding whilo
allowing existing uses such as loading and deliveries.
Coordino|o upgrodos |o building locodos lron|ing on
8th Street NW.
THE SQUARE
FLEXIBLE EVENT
SPACE
49
North Frame:
The Walter E.
Washington
Convention Center
South Frame:
Renaissance
Center Hotel and
JBG Properties
East Frame:
Boston Properties
and Douglas
Development
Progrom ou|door lood vonding o| |ho cornors ol |ho
Convention Center at 7th and 9th Streets NW.
3.
Moko |ho Convon|ion Con|or Lobby moro occossiblo |o
the public:
o Implement a Public Art and Signage
strategy for the Convention Center faade
along Mount Vernon Place NW.
o Coordinate with the Smithsonian Institute to
install exhibits in the Convention Center lobby.
o Coordinate with other non-federal museums
[Mowsoum/ |ho Spy MusoumJ |o hos| spociol
events and exhibitions in the Convention
Center lobby.
o Implement other uses such as a Visitors
Center function, caf or restaurant.
Dosign ond implomon| on invi|ing ro|oil lron|ogo lor
the Convention Centers 7th and 9th Street facades, with
emphasis on store canopies, storefront windows, lighting
and doorway elements.
lnhll |ho cornors ol |ho Convon|ion Con|or locing Moun|
Vernon Place NW with retail outlets and outdoor seating.
lncorporo|o zoning rocommondo|ions |ho| oncourogo
active ground oor uses and transparent facades.
lncorporo|o zoning rocommondo|ions |o oncourogo
active ground oor uses and transparent facades.
Uso |ho locodos ol |ho buildings lor public or|
installations and light shows (coordinate with DCCAH).
Coordino|o wi|h MPS |o ollow uso ol Rosorvo|ions 1Z
and 71 as spill out spaces for restaurants at the ground
oor of the adjacent buildings.
Mondo|o |ronsporon| locodos, oc|ivo ground Noor usos
and spill-out space for sidewalks along K Street NW for
future redevelopment of the properties.
THE FRAME
TIMELINE
Draft
-50-
A well-balanced, multimodal
transportation system is not new to
Washington DC. A new transportation
system buildings on the citys traditions
of a balanced system, adapted to future
needs and technologies.
51
The success of Mount Vernon Square Districts
center the Convention Center, Mount Vernon
Square and 8th Street NW - depends on an
inviting public realm and easily navigable
pedestrian transportation system. Mid-block
crossings at K Street south of the Square
and Mount Vernon Place NW, along with
recongured pathways through the Square will
allow convenient pedestrian linkages between
the Convention Center, the Square and 8th Street
NW. Enhanced linkages will also make access to
transit facilities at the square convenient. In doing
so, city-wide access to and from the square will
be enhanced signicantly.
While the broad transportation concepts for
all modes around the Square are subject
to further transportation analysis, there are
overwhelming advantages to the one-way loop
concepts over the two-way loop concept. In the
one-way concepts the number of lanes on the
streets around the Square could be reduced
to three or four moving lanes. This will free up
additional space to expand the Square, integrate
Washington DCs new streetcar around the
square, create enhanced facilities for bikes and
make pedestrian crossings to the Square more
convenient.
Of equal importance is the over-all Districts
connectivity with the city at large, through the
Streetcar along K Street NW, surface transit
options (Metro bus and Circulator) along 7th
and 9th Streets and bicycle facilities on 7th,
9th Streets and Massachusetts Avenue NW.
All modes intersect at Mount Vernon Square,
making it a natural point for public transit transfers
3.2 TRANSPORTATION HUB
21st Century Crossroads
and enhancing its connectivity north to a
future O Street Market and the U Street
Corridor, south to the National Mall and
Southwest waterfront, west to Downtown and
Georgetown and east to Union Station and
Capitol Hill.
Public transit and biking facilities will expand
non-passenger vehicle options for visitors and
commuters alike an important strategy, since
it will mitigate vehicular congestion around
the Square and will re-create a 21st Century
Crossroads at the Square.
Enhanced connectivity to the Square will
improve access to the new businesses and
retail amenities that will be built around
the Square in the near future. An improved
public realm and pedestrian access within
the Square will also create a public space
amenity that will attract residents to Mount
Vernon Square district. The new jobs,
amenities and residents will signicantly
contribute to the livability of Mount Vernon
Square district and to revenues for the District
government.
52
LEARNING FROM SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC SPACES IN WASHINGTON DC
Below: Lincoln Park, one-way circulation, three lanes (including parking). Below: Stanton Square, one-way circulation and four lanes (including one parking lane)
Vehicular circulation
Pedestrian circulation
Public spaces must accommodate many needs, including
some related to transportation and recreation. They are also
the dening elements for neighborhoods and serve as a
way for surrounding residents to identify where they live.
Stanton Square and Lincoln Park in Washington DC are
well known public places, used by surrounding residents
as valuable open space resources. The streets around
these spaces are biased to facilitating the role of the
parks as places; trafc moves in a one-way, counter-
clockwise ow. Pedestrian crosswalks and refuge areas
are well-marked and mid-block crosswalk are provided
to make pedestrian access convenient. The concepts
examined as part of this section build on some of these
simple ideas, and on precedents from other cities, such as
Paris, where multiple modes of transportation have been
accommodated successfully, and the end-result has been
great streets and public places that also work well for
transportation needs.
53
Realizing the Vision - Transportation Hub
PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY
There is currently no mid-block pedestrian access between
the Square and the Convention Center to the north at Mt.
Vernon Place and between TechWorld to and the Square to
the south at K Street. Eighth Street is currently underutilized
but can be developed as a north-south pedestrian route to
the Square and Convention Center. The pedestrian routes
across the Square do not follow a straight course but wind
around the Museum building thus making it difcult for
pedestrians to navigate.
The unique roadway conguration and vehicular
circulation around the Square combined with the heavy
commuter trafc creates an environment that is unfriendly
lor podos|rion ond biko occoss |o/lrom |ho Squoro os
expressed by many stakeholders. The study will promote
multi-modal transportation around the Square and a de-
emphasis on private vehicles.
Some of the sidewalks such as 9th Street (between K
and O Streets) and 10th Street ( between L Street and
Massachusetts Avenue), are very narrow and have
obstructions within the travel path. A majority of the study
area intersections have low visibility standard parallel lines
type crosswalks but there were a few intersections with the
high visibility ladder type.
TRANSIT FACILITIES
In response to the numerous concerns expressed by
s|okoholdors rogording |ho privo|o uso ol |ho bus/biko
lanes, it has been determined that there is a need for some
type of exclusive bus lanes particularly along 7th and 9th
Streets and around the Square.

The study area is served by nine Metrobus service routes,
two Circulator service routes and three Metrorail stations
(within half a mile from the Square) on the WMATA Red,
Green, Blue, Yellow and Orange lines. 7th and 9th Streets
NW are very strong transit corridors with the North-
South Circulator service, four Metrobus service routes
and two Metrorail Stations. The Metrobus service routes,
the North-south and the East-west Circulator service pass
directly along the Square and connect many areas to the
Square. A future K Street transitway is being planned to
support the development of a high performance transit
link through the central core of the District of Columbia,
connecting Union Station and Georgetown.
One of the primary initiatives of the MVSQ District Plan is
to capitalize on the multi-modal opportunities presented
by the conuence of transit routes at the Square through
introduction of transit stops on the Square to ensure
convenient transfers between local, express and circulator
routes and to make room for the efcient operations of
the K Street Transitway. the introduction of other facilities
like bike shelters and commuter stores will generate more
activity and enhance connectivity between modes.
EXISTING TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS
BIKES
While the Mt. Vernon Square provides great vehicle
connection between neighborhoods and destinations, there
are limited facilities for bikes within the study area. There
are no bike facilities located around the Square except for
along 9th Street. Bike lanes are discontinuous on 7th Street
between K and N Streets.
Currently there are not enough bike racks for cyclists to
secure their bikes while they are away conducting their
business. The provision of bike racks and other facilities
including showers as in the Union Station has the potential
of encouraging bike riding thus reducing auto trafc and
trips. In line with its SmartBike program DDOT is installing
automated bike rental facilities to facilitate bike sharing and
promote bicycling within the District.
54
Expanding the Square through
potential right-of-way re-allocation.
A RECONFIGURED SQUARE
The complete one-way loop or partial one-way
loop circulation around the Square means fewer
travel lanes and more green space for Mount
Vernon Square or space for transit/ bike facilities.
The reduced width of the surrounding roadways
also make the streets easier to cross, making the
Square more accessible to pedestrians.
Current location of Mount
Vernon Squares curb line
Space available for an expand
square
Up to 25 Up to 25
Up to 15
Up to 30
55
THREE CONCEPTS
An expanded square
One-way circulation
Two-way circulation
Mid-block crosswalk
LEGEND
4. Trafc calming
7. Rush hour restricted parking on 9th Street; parking on 7th
Street limited at locations due to bus stop median.
LEGEND
4. Trafc calming
A TWO-WAY LOOP FOR
LEGEND
4. One-way pair circulation (7th and 9th Street, south of the
Square)
5. Trafc calming
8. Curbside parking
9. One-way circulation (7th and 9th Streets NW, north of the
Square)
1
1
1
1
1
1
5 5 6 6
2
3
3
4
1
1
Three transportation concepts may be
taken forward for further analysis,
before a nal concept is chosen.
The concepts examine circulation
options on 7th and 9th Streets NW,
and on Mount Vernon Place NW and
K Street NW south of the square.
1 2 3
CONCEPT I USES STREETCAR ALTERNATIVE 1 FOR ONE-WAY
CIRCULATION ON MOUNT VERNON PLACE NW AND K
STREET NW SOUTH OF THE SQUARE; 7TH AND 9TH STREETS
ARE ONE-WAY STREETS.
CONCEPT 2 USES STREETCAR ALTERNATIVE 1 FOR ONE-WAY
CIRCULATION ON MOUNT VERNON PLACE NW AND K
STREET NW SOUTH OF THE SQUARE; 7TH AND 9TH STREETS
ARE TWO-WAY STREETS.
CONCEPT 3 USES STREETCAR ALTERNATIVE 2, FOR
TWO-WAY CIRCULATION ON ALL STREETS AROUND THE
SQUARE.
7
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
7
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
7
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
8
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
8
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
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N
W
8
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
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N
W
9
t
h

S
t
r
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e
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N
W
9
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
9
t
h

S
t
r
e
e
t

N
W
K Street
NW
K Street
NW
K Street
NW K Street
NW
K Street
NW
K Street
NW
56
CONCEPT 1
Note: Subject to further analysis
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE, 7TH AND 9TH
STREETS NW
LEGEND
4. One-way pair circulation (7th and 9th Street, south of the
Square)
5. Trafc calming
8. Curbside parking
9. One-way circulation (7th and 9th Streets NW, north of
the Square)
An expanded square
7th, 9th, K Streets NW and Mount Vernon
Place NW (one-way circulation)
Mid-block crosswalk

ADVANTAGES -
1. Fewer lanes for pedestrians to
cross on all streets around Mount
Vernon Square.
2. Pedestrian crossings at Mount
Vernon Place and K Street South of
the Square are more convenient.
3. One-way circulation makes
movements around the square more
legible for motorists.
4. Space is available for cycle tracks
on 7th and 9th Streets along the
Square.
5. Space available for one dedicated
bus lane each on 7th and 9th Street
NW.
DISADVANTAGES -
1. Possible impacts to vehicular
carrying capacity on 7th and
9th Streets; full impacts will only
be known after trafc analysis is
conducted.
2. Some loss of curbside parking on
east side of 7th Street NW.
57
CONCEPT 1
STREETS NW

THE SQUARE AS AN INTERMODAL
HUB
Metrobus, streetcar, bike facilities and enhanced pedestrian
facilities all come together at the square. Add to this the
circulator (not shown in facing diagram) and the Square
becomes a natural point of transfer for transit riders to
switch directions or modes.
The many transit and bike options will also make citywide
access to the Square convenient.
In concept 1 (facing diagram) cars around the square are
restricted to one-way movements, simplifying circulation
around the square and reducing crossing distances for
pedestrians.
Streetcar tracks
Dedicated bus lane
Cycle track
Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks
58
7TH AND 9TH STREETS NW AT THE
SQUARE
9TH STREET NW, AT THE SQUARE 7TH STREET NW, AT THE SQUARE
CONCEPT 1
STREETS NW
59
7TH AND 9TH STREETS NW NORTH
AND SOUTH OF THE SQUARE
9th Street NW, looking north
One-way south-bound
Expanded sidewalk on west side of 1000 and 1100 block
Two-way cycle track
One parking lane
Two south-bound travel lanes
One south-bound bus only lane
One-way north-bound
Two-way cycle track
One parking lane
Two north-bound travel lanes
One north bound bus only lane
CONCEPT 1
STREETS NW
60
LEGEND
4. Trafc calming
7. Rush hour restricted parking on 9th Street;
parking on 7th Street limited at locations due to
bus stop median.
An expanded square
7th and 9th Street NW (two-
way circulation)
Mount Vernon Place NW
and K Street NW (one-way
circulation)
Mid-block crosswalk
CONCEPT 2
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE, 7TH AND
9TH STREETS NW

ADVANTAGES -
1. Fewer lanes for pedestrians to cross
on Mount Vernon Place NW and K
Street NW to get to Mount Vernon
Square.
2. Two-way circulation on 7th and
9th Streets NW allows exibility for
vehicular carrying capacity.
on 9th Street NW along the Square.
4. Space available for two dedicated
bus lanes on 7th Street NW.
DISADVANTAGES -
1. Some impacts to curbside parking
available on 7th Street NW, where
bus stops are located on central
medians.
61
CONCEPT 2
9TH STREETS NW
HUB
Streetcar tracks
Dedicated bus lane
Cycle track
In concept 2 (facing diagram) cars around the
square are restricted to one-way movements on
Mount Vernon Place NW and K Street south of
the Square; pedestrian crossing distances are
reduced on Mount Vernon Place NW and K
Street, with two-way circulation for cars and buses
on 7th and 9th Streets NW.
Bikes move on 9th Street NW within a 10 cycle
track; northbound and south buses ply on 7th
Street NW in dedicated lanes. A central median
provides space for bus stops where required.
62
9TH STREET NW, AT THE SQUARE 7TH STREET NW, AT THE SQUARE
9TH STREETS NW
7TH AND 9TH STREETS NW AT THE
SQUARE
CONCEPT 2
63
Two-way street
Two bike lanes
Two rush hour restricted parking lanes
Two-way street
No bike facilities
One parking lane
Two vehicular travel lanes, one in each direction
Transitway, with two bus only lanes
Centre island required for south bound buses;
parking lane at stops becomes travel lane
Precedent: Current study for 34th Street in
Manhattan
9TH STREETS NW
7TH AND 9TH STREETS NW NORTH
AND SOUTH OF THE SQUARE
CONCEPT 2
64
CONCEPT 3
Note: Sections for Concept 3 are similar
to sections for Concept 2.
A TWO-WAY LOOP FOR MOUNT
VERNON SQUARE, 7TH AND 9TH
STREETS NW
An expanded square
Two-way circulation
Mid-block crosswalk
LEGEND
4. Trafc calming
1
1
1
1
1
1
5 5 6 6
2
2
2 2
3
3
4

ADVANTAGES -
1. Two-way circulation on 7th and
9th Streets NW allows exibility for
vehicular carrying capacity.
on 9th Street NW along the Square.
3. Space available for two dedicated
bus lanes on 7th Street NW.
DISADVANTAGES -
1. Some impacts to curbside parking
available on 7th Street NW, where
bus stops are located on central
medians.
2. Pedestrians crossing Mount Vernon
Place NW and K Street NW south of
the Square must cross two-way trafc.
65
CONCEPT 3
Note: Cross-sections of 7th and 9th
Streets NW for Concept 3 are similar to
cross-sections for Concept 2.
A TWO-WAY LOOP FOR MOUNT
VERNON SQUARE, 7TH AND 9TH
STREETS NW
Streetcar tracks
Dedicated bus lane
Cycle track
HUB
66
THE SQUARE AS A DESTINATION FOR PEDESTRIANS
PEDESTRIANS
A bias in favor of pedestrian
circulation will set the stage for Mount
Vernon Squares success as a public
place
Enhanced crosswalks at the intersections of 7th and 9th
Streets NW with New York and Massachusetts Avenues
NW make access to the Square convenient for streetcar and
metro bus riders and for conventioneers going to and from
the Convention Center to nearby attractions on 7th and 9th
Streets NW.
A mid block crosswalk at Mount Vernon Place NW allows
access between the Convention Center and Mount Vernon
Square.A mid block crosswalk at K Street NW and 8th
Street NW allows convenient access to and from 8th Street
NW. Sidewalk extensions along K Street NW south of the
square facilitate access to Mount Vernon Square.
Recongured inner and outer pathways through the Square
enhance connectivity between 8th Street NW, the Carnegie
Library building and the Convention Center and offer
pedestrians more choice in making diagonal shortcuts
through the square (see facing diagram).
Enhanced pedestrian crosswalk
Enhanced sidewalk
Inner pathway
Outer pathway
Recongured historic pathways
Midblock pedestrian crosswalk
67
BIKES ON THE SQUARE
In the complete one-way loop option, cycle tracks (8 to 10
wide) run in a continuous manner through Mount Vernon
Square linking the tracks north and south of the square
through a protected path within the expanded portions of
the Square.
Sharrows guide bikers through the intersections. Bike
facilities on Massachusetts Avenue NW also use the Square
to travel east to west, and vice versa.
Cycle track
TRANSPORTATION CONCEPT 1: A COMPLETE ONE-WAY LOOP TRANSPORTATION CONCEPTS 2, 3: A PARTIAL ONE-WAY LOOP AND A TWO-WAY LOOP
In the partial one-way loop option, all bikes move on
9th Street NW, within a protected 10 cycle track. At
the Square, the cycle track is located within the square,
protected from trafc.
68
BUSES ON THE SQUARE
TRANSPORTATION CONCEPT 1: A COMPLETE ONE-WAY LOOP TRANSPORTATION CONCEPTS 2, 3: A PARTIAL ONE-WAY LOOP AND A TWO-WAY LOOP
In the complete one-way loop concept buses run in dedicated lanes - northbound on 7th street NW and southbound on
9th Street NW.
In the partial one-way and two-way loop concepts northbound and southbound buses run in dedicated lanes on 7th Street
NW. Bus stops are located on medians (see section of 7th Street NW, Concept 2, on Pg. 17).
Dedicated bus lane
69
STREETCAR
THE STREETCAR ALIGNMENT - ALTERNATIVE 1 FOR ONE-WAY CIRCULATION ON MOUNT
VERNON PLACE NW AND K STREET NW SOUTH OF THE SQUARE; 7TH AND 9TH STREETS
ARE EITHER ONE-WAY OR TWO-WAY STREETS.
THE STREETCAR ALIGNMENT - ALTERNATIVE 2, FOR TWO-WAY CIRCULATION ON ALL
STREETS AROUND THE SQUARE.
The streetcar route splits at the Square - eastbound tracks
are on K Street NW, south of the Square and westbound
tracks are on Mount Vernon Place NW, north of the Square.
The eastbound stop is located at the southwest corner of 7th
and K Street NW.
The streetcar route crosses over at the Square -
eastbound tracks are on Mount Vernon Place NW, north
of the Square and westbound tracks are on K Street NW,
south of the Square. The eastbound stop is located at the
southwest corner of 7th Street NW and New York Avenue
NW.
Streetcar tracks (8 width required)
Streetcar turning radius =
60. In cases where the
streetcar needs to make
successive turns (such as
from K Street west of the
Square to southbound
9th Street NW to
eastbound K Street south
of the square) at least
30 must be available
between turns.
Minimum dimension = 30 Turn radius = 60 Possible streetcar stop
The westbound stop is located at the northeast corner of
9th Street NW and Mount Vernon Place.
The westbound stop is located at the northeast corner of 9th
Street NW and New York Avenue NW.
ALTERNATIVE 1 ALTERNATIVE 2
70
TRANSPORTATION CONCEPTS 2, 3: A PARTIAL ONE-WAY LOOP AND A TWO-WAY LOOP
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION AROUND THE SQUARE
The four streets around Mount Vernon Square - Mount
Vernon Place NW, 7th, 9th and K Streets NW - are
recongured as one-way streets. Cars move around the
square in a counter-clockwise fashion, with three lanes on
each street.
TRANSPORTATION CONCEPT 1: A COMPLETE ONE-WAY LOOP
On Mount Vernon Place NW and K Street south of the
square there are two vehicular lanes, and one lane of
mixed trafc (shared with the streetcar). On 7th and
9th Streets NW, the streetcar moves in a dedicated lane
abutting the square and makes right turns across vehicular
lanes to merge onto K Street NW eats and west of the
Square.
Mount Vernon Place NW and K Streets NW are
recongured as one-way streets, with two vehicular lanes,
and one lane of mixed trafc (shared with the streetcar).
7th and 9th Streets NW are two-way streets; the streetcar
moves in a dedicated lane abutting the square and makes
right turns across vehicular lanes to merge onto K Street
NW east and west of the Square.
71
TRANSPORTATION HUB: 21ST CENTURY CROSSROADS
7th Street NW
Add o doublo lol| |urn lrom nor|hbound Z|h S|roo|
to westbound Mt. Vernon Place to accommodate the
long queue of vehicles waiting to turn left and accident
concerns at K Street East of the Square;
lmprovo |ho visibili|y ol diogonol podos|rion signol
heads.
Add |wo oddi|ionol looding zonos on Z|h S|roo| MW.
Loading zones to be converted to regular parking usage
after 6:30pm.
Allow Z|h S|roo| MW |o bo o ros|ric|odoccoss zono
between F and I streets during events (i.e. Verizon Center
events, weekends, etc.) and move northbound trafc to
6th Street at these times.
lmplomon| |ronsi| priori|y |roo|mon|s on Z|h S|roo|,
including transit signal priority, queue jump lanes,
improved passenger shelters, etc.
9th Street NW
Ros|ric| |our bus porking on |ho wos| sido ol |h S|roo|
NW, between New York Avenue NW and H Street NW.
Instead, allow restricted (two-hour) parking along the
curbside to create a new trafc lane; add one loading
zone on 9th Street NW. Loading zone to be converted to
regular parking usage after 6:30pm.
Ros|ripo |h S|roo| MW |o includo o doublo lol| |urn lono
onto eastbound lower K Street NW (instead of a left turn
lane and a through-left lane).
Chongo |ho oxclusivo righ| |urn lono lrom sou|hbound
9th Street NW to westbound New York Avenue NW into
a through-right lane to accommodate the above measure.
Widon sidowolks olong |ho wos| sido ol |h S|roo| MW
north of Mr. Vernon Square to accommodate smooth ow of
pedestrian trafc.
Mount Vernon
Square and
adjoining streets
lns|oll o midblock crossing lor podos|rions o| |ho
intersection of 8th Street NW and Mount Vernon Place
NW, outside the entrance to the Convention Center
coordinated with the trafc signals at 7th and 9th Streets.
lns|oll o midblock crossing lor podos|rions o| |ho
intersection of 8th and K Streets NW.
1.
2. MAIN STREET
CORRIDORS
THE CENTER
TIMELINE
Ensuro |ho| |ho govorning body lor |ho Cornogio
Library works with DDOT to create a viable and concrete
transportation plan for the DC Visitors Center
Add o Bikoshoro loco|ion o| |ho Mor|hwos| cornor ol Z|h
Street and Mount Vernon Place.
72
8th Street NW
Croo|o bulbou|s o| |ho sou|hoos| ond sou|hwos| cornors
of the intersection of 8th Street NW and I Street NW.
Widon sidowolk on nor|h sido ol l S|roo| MW, o| |ho
intersection with 8th Street NW.
10th Street NW
L Street NW
Add |roo nodos on 10|h S|roo| bo|woon Mossochuso||s
Avenue and L Street NW (along east side of Samuel
Gompers Park) and move signage poles and streetlights to
tree nodes.
Priori|izo |ho Now ol wos|bound |rolhc lrom Mow York
Avenue onto L Street NW.
Bowtie Parks
Ros|ripo oll crosswolk looding up |o Bow|io porks
(Reservation Numbers 68,69,72,73,74,173,174,177 and
178).
Expond podos|rion spoco [sidowolksJ surrounding |ho
Bowtie parks through use of sidewalk bulb-outs.
3.
5.
STREETS
PARKS
Add o looding zono midblock on 8|h S|roo| [nor|h ol HJ
|o sorvo ros|ouron|s/bors.
TIMELINE
-73-
Draft
2.3 PARKS, PLAZAS AND
STREETS
A Network of Public Places
......... This system will be supplemented by
smaller plazas at the City Center development,
at 5th and K Streets NW, and within Tech
Plaza south of Mount Vernon Square. New
York Avenue west of Mount Vernon Square
includes a central landscaped median,
which will host public art; the median will
be extended along the Avenue east of the
Square, augmenting the amount of green space
available within the district.
The little used right-of-way along 8th Street NW
between G and K Streets will include a exible
event space between I and K Streets NW, and
landscaped spill out spaces between G and I
Streets NW; where 8th Street terminates at the
Portrait Gallery street closures for programmed
events will supplement this exible street.
The sidewalks along Massachusetts and New
York Avenues will be treated in a similar
fashion, with wide tree boxes to allow for
a dense tree canopy, well paved walkways
and landscaped setback areas in front of
private properties. Trafc volumes around
the reservations are high, leading to an
unappealing environment within the parks,
protecting these edges with fences, trees and
understory planting is important to enhance
a sense of enclosure and to ensure that the
parks are protected from adjoining trafc.
Access to plazas on private properties will
be enhanced through way-nding signage.
Today, Mount Vernon Square
District is characterized by a
lack of useable green space;
however, the District includes
13 Federal Reservations
which are part of the
original LEnfant Plan for
the city and two avenues
with wide sidewalks. If seen
as a cohesive system, the
sidewalks along the districts
wide avenues and K Street
NW, and the constellation of
13 reservations will form a
new public green system for
residents and visitors .........
74
A NETWORK OF PUBLIC PLACES
An open space system that unies
Mount Vernon Square districts 13
federal reservations, avenues and
streets will create 10 acres of open
space, where only 5 acres exist
today. The bowtie parks at the
corners of the district, now mostly
green leftovers, are particularly
instrumental in augmenting the
network of green space available to
residents.
This project also provides
recommendations for upgrades
to the bowtie parks that build on
their historic role as neighborhood
amenities, meanwhile also adapting
them to become parts of the
neighborhoods in which they reside.
Using public space design elements to
unify parks, plazas and streets.
K STREET NW
K STREET NW
K STREET NW
I STREET NW
H STREET NW
G STREET NW
L STREET NW
THE WALTER E. WASHINGTON
CONVENTION CENTER
MOUNT VERNON PLACE NW
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Realizing the Vision - Parks, Plazas & Streets
PRECEDENTS FOR SMALL PARK DESIGN
Small parks in dense urban
neighborhoods benet immensely
from well protected edges, a dened
center and seating for small groups
or individuals. The bowtie parks lack
these basic three ingredients.
Elements that lend unique character
to the park - public art, signage,
landscape elements - also help give
the parks a sense of identity.
Father Demo Park, New York. A low fence protects seating
areas within the park.
Zoccotti Park, New York. The park has elements for passive
recreation, seating and public art.
Zoccotti Park, New York. Lighting gives distinctive identity,
and creates a safe environment for pedestrians after dark.
Bowling Green Park, New York. Seating is oriented along a
pathway that faces the center of the park.
Bowling Green Park, New York. Zoccotti Park, New York. Benches allow seating for small
groups of 2 to 3 persons as well as individuals.
Bowling Green, New York. A fountain gives the park a well
dened central feature.
Father Demo Park, New York. Fences, hedges create a park
environment that is well protected from adjoining trafc.
Father Demo Park, New York, public art installation and
lighting lends unique character to the park.
Learning from precedents - what
elements help create appealing, small
urban parks?
76
THE BOWTIE PARKS - HISTORIC PRECEDENT FOR RICH, WELL LANDSCAPED NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
The images to the right show the
evolution of small park design in
Washington DC from the 1920s to
the 1940s. The context became more
urban and increasingly dominated
by the automobile during the 1940s
and 50s. The design of the parks
changed as well. In several of the
reservations, grass panels were
replaced with granite block, brick,
or exposed aggregate paving.
Landscape plans continued to show
plant diversity, but with a greatly
simplied palette.
1920s 1930s 1940s
Reservation 68, Northwest bowtie park (Burke), ca. 1922.
The plan includes many small ower beds at the intersection
of garden paths and sidewalks, and owering and shade
trees planted to provide a symmetrical backdrop
Reservation 179, Northeast bowtie park (City Vista), ca.
1949. The plan includes many small ower beds at the
intersection of garden paths and sidewalks, and owering
and shade trees planted to provide a symmetrical backdrop
This period marks a shift from the Victorian
design aesthetic intended to create park places
for strolling and viewing colorful plant displays.
The efforts underplayed the ornamental
treatments of the reservations and were focused
instead on the design of small parks as unied
open spaces.
This time period marked the beginning of a
signicant shift in the design of the Districts
small parks and amenities: curving paths were
replaced with straight walkways, metal fencing
with Colonial details were consistent with the
design style used by the Districts municipal
architect and advocated by the Commission
of Fine Arts, grass lawns and linear planting
beds ensured ease of maintenance, and hedges
surrounding reservations created a buffer
between park space an vehicular trafc.
Reservation 69, Northwest bowtie park (Gompers), ca.
1933. While the orientation of the landscape was toward
Massachusetts Avenue, a paved entrance and two turf
pathways connected the park to L Street. Attention was given
to the height of pine and holly evergreens that anked the
Gompers Memorial.
By 1943, a consistent approach was being
taken with these reservations, as well as all of
the reservations along Massachusetts Avenue
between 4th Street and Dupont Circle. The
landscape plan showed plant and ower
beds being used to dene the edges of many
reservations to protect against increasing vehicular
trafc on Massachusetts Ave. Additionally, the
coordinated plant color palette helped enhance
the continuity from one reservation to another.
The bowtie parks are important elements of the historic
LEnfant Plan for the city. There is historic evidence of rich
landscape elements and details within these reservations
that made them amenities for surrounding residents.
However, years of neglect has led to an unattractive
environment within many of them.
The evolution of small park design in
Washington DC.
77
Use street trees and other
landscape elements to protect
the parks from high trafc
volume streets; use new trees
and understorey planting
along the edges of high trafc
volume roadways such as
Massachusetts and New York
Avenues.
4
Earmark locations for local and
national commemorative and
public art at the highly visible
tips of the parks.
Unify adjacent local streets and
sidewalks to the parks through
special paving, signage and
lighting; provide for exible
use and enhance access to the
parks by clearly marking all
crosswalks leading into them.
THE BOWTIE PARKS - DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Create space for passive
recreation needs, and provide
benches, lighting and varied
landscaping to create pleasing
park environments.
1 2 3
Learning from precedents and history, to create small parks
for future residents of Mount Vernon Square district.
78
72
73
74
THE BOWTIE PARKS AS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSETS
1
1
2
3
4
6
6
5
5
Realigned pathways through the park make
pedestrian shortcuts more convenient.
LEGEND
Realigned curb creates additional space
for paved and planted areas, and to
make pedestrian access to the park more
convenient.
Restriped crosswalks.
Realigned curbs at smaller reservation.
Expanded planting strip; fence and
understorey planting along Massachusetts
Avenue NW.
Paved areas, for commemorative art
installations, gatherings.
Existing Curbs
Proposed Curbs
Cycle Track
1
2
3
4
5
6
Right: Existing plan of Reservations 72, 73,74. There is
little by way of landscape elements to buffer the park from
the trafc along Massachusetts Avenue, or to demarcate
smaller, more intimate areas within the park. Pathways within
reservation 72 do not seem responsive to the actual needs
of pedestrians, as shown by the informal diagonal pathway
made by pedestrians who use it as a shortcut from 6th and I
Streets NW to Massachusetts Avenue..
Far right: Existing photograph, Reservation 72, looking north
to Massachusetts Avenue NW.
Below: Proposed plan showing changes to the reservations
- recongured pathways, new trees along Massachusetts
Avenue NW, paved areas earmarked for commemorative
public art.
Southeast bowtie parks (Reservation
numbers 72, 73 and 74)
I STREET NW
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The illustration to
the right shows
reservation 72
recongured with
a new pathway,
an enhanced
existing pathway,
new seating,
trees, understorey
planting and
fences along the
edges. Areas
are reserved for
active recreation,
strolling and
commemorative
art.
New trees, a fence and
understorey planting along
Massachusetts Avenue NW help
create an environment within the
park that is protected from the
negative impacts of trafc along
the Avenue.
An enhanced existing pathway
through the reservation
preserves a well used feature
of the reservation.
Consistent street lighting xtures along
Massachusetts Avenue will help identify the
reservation as part of the grand LEnfant
plan for Washington DC.
A new pathway through the
park makes for convenient
pedestrian shortcuts from
Massachusetts Avenue/6th
Street NW to 5th/I Streets
NW.
Low level bollards and
lighting create well dened
areas within the park and
provide a sense of safety after
dark.
Illustrative vision for the southeast
bowtie parks
80
1
2
3
4
6
5
Relocate parking lot and create a new green
park.
Realigned curb to expand sidewalk space
near the park.
Green the small trafc triangle to create a
pleasing pedestrian crossing area.
Realign pathway to create a larger seating
area in the eastern half of the park.
Realign curb, to make pedestrian crossing
safer and more convenient.
1
2
3
4
5
6
178
177
LEGEND
Right: Existing plan of Reservations 177, 178. The parks are
not protected from trafc on New York Avenue. Reservation
177 is currently used as a parking lot by the police precinct,
while much of reservation 178 has been cordoned of by
fencing.
Far right: Existing photograph, Reservation 177, looking west
along New York Avenue NW. Access to the parks is impeded
by the wide right-of-way along New York Avenue and poorly
marked crosswalks.
Below: Proposed plan showing changes to the reservations -
parking within reservation 177 is replaced by a landscaped
garden; enhanced crosswalks, a median and refuge area on
New York Avenue make a safe environment for pedestrians.
Northeast bowtie parks (Reservation
numbers 177 and 178)
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The illustration to
the right shows
reservation 177
recongured
as a densely
landscaped garden
with the police
buildings facade
as a prominent
backdrop; a
pedestrian refuge
area on New
York Avenue
and enhanced
crosswalks
make pedestrian
crossings safer.
The edge of reservation 177
along New York Avenue is well
protected from trafc by trees,
hedges and a fence. The police
parking lot is relocated.
Enhanced crosswalk on New
York Avenue provides a well-
marked path for pedestrians
to cross.
A pedestrian refuge area
allows for pedestrians to
pause while crossing the 6
lanes of New York Avenue.
A 6 wide median with low
level planting reduces the
perception of New York
Avenue as a wide auto-
dominated roadway.
Illustrative vision for the northeast
bowtie parks
82
173
174
1
2
2
3
4
5
Paved area with stepped seating for small
performances and gatherings during lunch
and after work hours.
Benches in shaded zones as amenities for
downtown workers.
Create a small green space with landscape
Expanded planting strip; understorey
planting along New York Avenue NW.
1
2
3
4
5
Right: Existing plan of Reservations 173, 174. Reservation
174 will be an important open space in the future City Center
development. The edges of reservation 173 are used by
downtown ofce workers during the lunch hours, but the park
in general lacks a sense of enclosure, especially along New
York Avenue.
Far right: Existing photograph, Reservation 173, looking
east to New York Avenue and City Center. The park lacks a
well dened edge along New York Avenue and denition of
spaces within it.
Below: Proposed plan showing changes to reservation 173 -
trees along New York Avenue, a series of steps and a paved
area in the center of the park create a small, well dened
performance space that will encourage use of the park after
ofce hours.
Reservation 173 is well used during lunch hours by ofce
workers - additional trees and enclosure elements with some
paved areas demarcated for performances and gatherings
will enhance the parks usability during the lunch hours and
after hours.
Across New York Avenue, reservation 174 is an important
por| ol |ho lu|uro Ci|y Con|or dovolopmon| by Hinos/
Archstone on the site of the old convention center.
LEGEND
CITY CENTER
DEVELOPMENT ON THE
OLD CONVENTION
CENTER SITE
Southwest bowtie parks (Reservation
numbers 173 and 174)
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The illustration to
the right shows
reservation 173
recongured as a
richly landscaped
garden with new
trees that provide
shade during
the afternoon
lunch hours; steps
and a paved
performance space
allow the use of
the park after
work hours, for
performances and
gatherings.
Paved performance area.
New trees along New York
Avenue.
New trees within the park
provide shade during the
afternoon hours.
Steps for seating.
Illustrative vision for the southwest
bowtie parks
84
1
2
2
2 3
Restripe crosswalks
Install fences, understorey planting along edges of park.
Expand sidewalk space as part of the future reconguration of
10th Street NW.
1
2
3
69
68
Right: Existing plan of Reservations 68, 69. The bowtie
parks are in relatively good condition and are well used by
surrounding residents. Upgrades to the sidewalk paving, the
quality of the landscape within them and the edges will create
well dened open space assets for them.
Far right: Existing photograph, Reservation 68 looking east
to New York Avenue and City Center. The park lacks well
dened edges.
Below: Proposed plan showing changes to reservations 68,
69.
Northwest bowtie parks (Reservation
numbers 68 and 69)
LSTREET NW
LSTREET NW
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The illustration to
the right shows
reservation 68
with fences and
a hedge along its
edges; reinforcing
a sense of
enclosure for the
parks. Restriped
crosswalks and
repaved sidewalk
enhance pedestrian
access to the park.
Hedges and a fence along
the parks edge provide a
sense of enclosure for the
park.
Landscape feature denes a
center for the park
Paving on the sidewalks
is upgraded to enhance
pedestrian access to the
park.
Restriped crosswalk enhances
pedestrian access to the
park.
Illustrative vision for the northwest
bowtie parks
86
MAIN STREETS - 7TH AND 9TH STREETS NW
9TH STREET NW 7TH STREET NW
87
GREEN STREETS - THE AVENUES AND K STREET NW
The nal alignment for K Street NW east of Mount Vernon Square is
subject to the completion of work related to the DC Streetcar studies.
The right-of-way allocation shown above illustrates a possible solution;
the primary objective is to use the wide sidewalks on either side of the
street for landscape elements in a manner that unies Mount Vernon
Square district and expands the amount of open space available to
residents and visitors.
As part of the historic LEnfant Plan for Washington DC, Massachusetts
Avenue east of Mount Vernon Square should emulate the richly
landscaped parts of the street west of the Square. The Avenue links
Mount Vernon Square with Dupont Circle to the west, a prime open
space for the city; to the east lies Union Station, another prominent
Washington landmark. The avenues role as a link between these two
spaces must be acknowledged through the design and treatment of its
streetscape.
In doing so it will also provide residents of Mount Vernon Square district
an open space amenity that may be used for strolling and other passive
recreational uses.
New York Avenue east of Mount Vernon Square is a carrier of very high
trafc volumes; the environment along the avenue is biased towards the
automobile. A new 6 wide central median and trees along its edges
will help transform the avenues environment into one characteristic of
the LEnfant Plan.
88
K STREET NW
K STREET NW
K STREET NW
I STREET NW
H STREET NW
G STREET NW
L STREET NW
THE WALTER E. WASHINGTON
CONVENTION CENTER
MOUNT VERNON PLACE NW
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U
S
ETTS
A
V
EN
U
E N
W
7
T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
6

T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
5

T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
8
T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
9
T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
1
0

T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
1
1

T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
1
2

T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
68
173 72
73
74
178
177 69
70
175
176
71
174
89
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARKS, PLAZAS AND STREETS
IMMEDIATE (1 to 3 YEARS) SHORT TERM (3 TO 5 YEARS) LONG TERM (OVER 5 YEARS)
1.
2.
Complo|o monogomon| ogroomon| lor |ho moin|ononco
of Bowtie Parks between the District of Columbia and
the National Park Service for Reservation Numbers 68,
69,72,73,74,173,177 and 178.
lmplomon| o s|riping plon lor crosswolks ond immodio|o
xes to sidewalks.
Submi| roquos| lor zoning chongos |o suppor| od|ocon|
ground oor land use and facade controls around parks
and open spaces.
Ros|oro londscopo in nor|hoos| ond sou|hoos| Bow|io
Parks (Reservation Numbers 72, 73, 74,177,178).
Dovolop schomo|ic dosign documon|s lor Bow|io Porks
which may include -
o New alignment for pathways.
o Fences along boundaries of
Bowtie Parks.
o A planting plan for the bowtie
porks [soosonol plon|ings / no|ivo /
undors|ory / his|oricJ.
o Lighting appropriate for urban
contexts.
lmplomon| oll |ho obovo dosign rocommondo|ions.
Upgrodo oll sidowolks od|oining Bow|io Porks.
Tronslor ol |urisdic|ion |o Dis|ric| ol Columbio [lor
Reservation Numbers 68, 69,72,73,74,173,177 and 178).
Coordino|o wi|h DDT ond UFA |o os|oblish o polo||o
of street trees that promotes a dense canopy and is
coordinated with existing trees.
b|oin opprovols lor o polo||o ol sidowolk mo|oriols lor
Mount Vernon Square District.
Conduc| crisis hxos lor sidowolks whoro disropoir is o
safety issue.
Dosign ond doploy dis|inc| public roolm bronding
elements, like special street signs on Washington Globe
poles, for Mount Vernon Square District.
Build modion olong Mow York Avonuo MW, lrom Moun|
Vernon Square to 4th Street NW, as recommended in
the Mt. Vernon Triangle Transportation and Public Realm
Project.
Soo Recommendations for a 21st Century
Transportation System for additional details on curb re-
alignments, lane re-congurations, addition of bike and
transit lanes (including streetcar alignment).
PARKS AND
OTHER OPEN
SPACES
AVENUES
AND STREETS
TIMELINE
Note: See plan on facing
page for location of
reservations.
90
COMMEMORATIVE ART IN THE BOWTIE PARKS
Public art in the bowtie parks
will create a sense of identity
for each and will reinforce the
role of the parks as part of the
LEnfant Plan.
a palette of public art elements
for the bowtie parks should be
developed by a collaborative
effort between residents and
city and federal agencies.
SIDEWALK INSERTS, FREE STANDING
ELEMENTS
MURALS, SIGNAGE AND EVENTS LANDSCAPE AND NATURAL FEATURES Public art should address the bowtie
parks dual role as features of the
LEnfant Plan and as neighborhood
amenities
91
Realizing the Vision - Business Strategies
3.4 BUSINESS STRATEGIES
Strategies for Coordinated Action
C0NVN7I0N
CN7R
P0R7RAI7 CALLRY
C0NVN7I0N
CN7R H07L
Core Market Area - Appx. 2,500
HousehoIds & 25,000 1obs
0.25 MILS
0S70NPR0PR7IS
CARNCI UILDINC
M0UN7 VRN0NSUAR
M0UN7 VRN0NPLAC NW
k S7R7 NW k S7R7 NW
k S7R7 NW
H S7R7 NW
CS7R7 NW
F S7R7 NW
I S7R7 NW
L S7R7 NW
M S7R7 NW
NS7R7 NW
0 S7R7 NW
M
A
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S77S AVN
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D0UCLAS
DVL0PMN7
D0UCLAS
DVL0PMN7
SHAW
L0CAN CIRCL
D0WN70WN DC
M0UN7 VRN0N
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1C0FFICS RNAISSANC
H07L
C0ULD
DVL0PMN7
VRIZ0NCN7R
CI7Y VIS7A
CI7Y CN7R PR01C7
CALLRY PLAC/
CHINA70WN
92
CHARACTERISTICS OF MOUNT VERNON SQUARE DISTRICT
HOUSEHOLDS AND RETAIL ACTIVITY
Median household income
Retail sales volume is well in excess of the spending power of nearby
households. The bulk of sales activity is being driven by daytime workers,
tourists, and visitors to the area (2008).
Growth of households
$189,000,000
$48,000,000
$0
$20,000,000
$40,000,000
$60,000,000
$80,000,000
$100,000,000
$120,000,000
$140,000,000
$160,000,000
$180,000,000
$200,000,000
TotalRetailSalesVolume(Annual) HouseholdSpending(Annual)
$
1
,5
0
0
,0
0
0
$
1
4
,5
0
0
,0
0
0
$
3
4
,0
0
0
,0
0
0
$
4
5
,0
0
0
,0
0
0
$
9
4
,0
0
0
,0
0
0
BarsandDrinkingEstablishments OtherFoodandBeverage
FullServiceRestaurants LimitedServiceEatingEstablishments
OtherRetail
Half of the sales activity in the district approximately $94M - is food-
related. Only $1.5 M of this is driven by bars, while $45M is driven by
limited-service eating places (such as sandwich shops, fast food, or deli-
counter establishments) and another $34M driven by full-service restaurants.
Local households spend only $6M in foodservice and drinking places
annually, suggesting that the vast majority of these enterprises survive by
serving tourists and daytime employees (2008).
The district has added foodstuff retailers over the past ve years, but may
still be under-supplied. The current stores have sales volumes in balance with
the 2,402 persons within a quarter-mile radius, but actually serve a one- to
two-mile radius and therefore enjoy demand overow. This suggests that
there could be signicant undersupply of grocery, specialty grocery, and
other foodstuff retailers.
93
CHARACTERISTICS OF MOUNT VERNON SQUARE DISTRICT
BUSINESS - DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE AND JOBS
Name 7iming 0mce RetaiI ResidentiaI HoteI LocaI/RegionaI
(SF) (SF) (units) (keys) Serving

City Center Project 20l3 462,500 350,000 674 Peglonal

Marriot Marquis 20l3 l,l66 Peglonal

CouId ParceI T8D 334,000 Peglonal

DougIas DeveIopment T8D 250,000 T8D Peglonal

0 Street Market 20l2 (tentatlve) 70,000 650 l80 Local

7otaI 796,500 670,000 1,324 1,346

7otaI RegionaI Serving 796,500 600,000 674 1,166 95%
7otaI LocaI Serving 0 70,000 650 180 5%
Mt. Vernon Square is home to 25,000 daytime
jobs, most of which are professional in nature
(right, above). Legal and Business comprise the
largest segments of the Service employment in the
district (right, below).
There are nearly twice as many residential units in
Mt. Vernon Square today as compared with 2000.
The vast majority of these households live north of
K Street NW, while the vast majority of the daytime
employment and visitor/tourist activity in the area
is south of K Street NW
There are several major and catalytic projects
planned that will infuse Mount Vernon Square
district with hundreds of millions of dollars in new
investment and millions of square feet of new
space that will add new residents (ostensibly with
strong incomes), new spending power, new daytime
employment, and new opportunities to capture and
catalyze additional economic opportunity. These
projects can be coordinated from a planning and
design perspective to create a cohesive identity and
brand for Mount Vernon Square District. To date,
the projects planned have been primarily oriented
towards regional-serving demand rather than local/
neighborhood serving demand, which runs the risk
of remaining under-served by the planned/proposed
projects.
94
UNIQUE ASSETS - THE DRAW OF THE CENTER
A Dynamic Conuence of Uses
Strong Neighborhood Fabric and Dynamic
Demographics
Major Developments Already in the
Pipeline
Pent-Up Demand for Local-Serving Retail
Already High-Wage Employment Core
Excellent Accessibility via Multiple Transit
Modes
An Existing Tourism Generator with
Unrealized Potential
A Landmark Building at the Center
A Convention Center of national
prominence
Clearly, the Mount Vernon
Square District has the economic
underpinnings and existing conditions
to evolve into a successful and vibrant
area with its own powerful brand in
the marketplace. It has the potential
to be Washington, D.C.s next great
place.
But because of the competitive nature
of development as well as physical
planning and strategic issues that are
barriers to success, a coordinated
business strategy for management,
nancing, leasing and branding is
needed, in order for the potential to
be realized.....
Mount Vernon Square
districts existing assets
The Historical Society of Washington, DC and the
Convention Center play a critical role in the
Mount Vernon Square district. What additional
strategies can be identied to increase the draw?
95
Management:
The vision for Mount Vernon Square will not happen on its
own. Rather, it will need to be executed in a manner similar
to that which other downtown and downtown-adjacent
districts have used in revitalization efforts over the past
10 |o 15 yoors - |hrough oggrossivo, businosssovvy, ond
thoughtful management. Mt. Vernon Square will need an
overall management entity that will not only become the
steward of this plan, but also take on the role of branding,
marketing, merchandising, and coordinating (both among
property owners and tenants) so that the complex dance
necessary to execute the vision as articulated is translated
from choreography to performance.
Similar entities in D.C. include the Downtown DC BID, the
NoMA BID, and Mt. Vernon Triangle CID. Unlike Main
Streets or CDCs, these entities derive operating funds
through special assessments that are tied to properties,
have governing Boards, Executive Directors, and execution
capacity, and take duciary responsibility over the districts
which they govern.
In the near term, it is recommended that a Mt. Vernon
Square BID or CID is formed and initially staffed through
the Downtown D.C. BID, sharing its admin and other
resources. This MVSBID or MVSCID would take on the role
of coordinating and executing the recommendations in this
report, as well as securing additional funding sources and
handling marketing and outreach for the area.
It is recommended that the Board of this entity contain
representatives from the BID along with representatives from
the group of property owners, the Washington Convention
Center, and the Historical Society of D.C. The Board of the
BID, restricted to no more than seven individuals, three of
whom must be property owners and no more than one from
the Convention Center and Historical Society, respectively,
will be charged with hiring an Executive Director and
approving the annual business plan of that Executive
Director. Once the Executive Director reaches the point
at which he or she can break off from the aegis of the
Downtown DC BID support structure, the exact roles,
responsibilities, organizational chart, and funding outlook
for the MVSBID can be a topic of discussion for the Board.
In the short term, the BID will:
* CoordinoIe Iunding sources wiIh public ogencies such
os DDC7.
* Work closely wiIh consulIonIs Io develop
implemenIoIionorienIed plons Ior key oreos such os
MounI Vernon 5quore, Ihe 8owIie porks, sidewolks olong
imporIonI sIreeIs.
*GeI governmenI buyin on Ihe sIroIegy Ior MounI Vernon
5quore DisIricI, especiolly os iI reloIes Io oIher disIricIs
wiIhin Ihe ciIy (such os MoMA or Ihe WolIer keed oreo].
Funding Mechanisms:
While the management entity as outlined above will derive
funding primarily from special assessments and benet
from some level of support from the Downtown D.C. BID
in the near-term, funding for capital and operational
investments will be in part dependent on public sources
for the near term. This means that project stewards will
have to explore the possibilities of TIF nancing, especially
from the Old Convention Center Site and Gould parcels
in addition to studying the extent to which these sites have
not already been spoken for in terms of TIF capacity.
There are certainly opportunities to leverage New Market
Tax Credits in creative fashions, and other notable projects
in DC are taking advantage of them as resources for parks
and open space development. The Executive Director of
|ho MVSBlD/ClD will hovo |o ovoluo|o |ho po|on|iol lor
these resources to augment development opportunities
on-site.
Above: Graphic depiction of a
potential Mount Vernon Square Business
Improvement District OR Community
Improvement District, with representation
from key stakeholders.
The MVS BID/CID Board consists
of seven persons, three from the
group of property owners, one
each from the Convention Center
and the Historical Society. The
Board will hire an executive
director.
District of
Columbia
government
Agencies
Federal
Government
Agencies (NPS,
NCPC)
Property
Owners
DC
Convention
Center
Neighborhood
Associations
The Historic
Society of
Washington DC
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUSINESSES AND
OWNERS
MAJOR ANCHOR FOR
MVS DISTRICT
RESIDENTS
LEASEHOLDERS
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND FUNDING MECHANISMS
3
1 1
Downtown
DC BID staffs a MVS
BID/CID as an interim
arrangement
BUSINESS STRATEGIES FOR COORDINATED ACTION
96
The Mount Vernon Square District has experienced new
retail infusion and is poised to absorb additional retail
dovolopmon| - |ho bulk ol which is rogionolsorving in
nature. The result of this pattern is a continued pent-up
demand for local and neighborhood-serving retail, with
demand emanating from the growing household base
of Mount Vernon Square. The tenant types that dene
neighborhood-serving are various and rarely t within
the standard retail categories common in market data.
However, they includes grocery and specialty foods, kitchen
ond housoworos, ond homo lurnishings/homo improvomon|
s|oros. Thoy olso includo s|orolron| olhcos/sorvicos, such
as tax preparation, dentists, ambulatory care (especially
physicol ond occupo|ionol |horopyJ, yogo/pilo|os/h|noss
centers, and other enterprise categories that typically
fall under the general guise of services in most retail
categorization.
Ensuring that the Mount Vernon Square District is replete
with local and neighborhood-serving retail not only lls a
market niche, but ensures its long-term competitiveness and
enhances the appeal of the Convention Center as a location
for events as well as the district as a locale for spending
dollars from convention goers. Tourism patterns suggest
that tourists enjoy frequenting places that are special to
local residents - witness the importance of Georgetown
and Old Town Alexandria, which are frequent tourist
destinations precisely because they offer a unique and
local experience that cannot be found anywhere else
in the nation. Creating a unique local environment is
often related to cultivating a unique set of local retail,
ros|ouron|, ond sorvico oxporioncos ond plocos - s|oros
that cant be found anywhere else, food that is unique
to the city and the neighborhood, and experiences that
become local legends.
Executing the above strategy will depend upon thoughtful
placemaking that ensures adequate retail space is planned
in appropriate places throughout the Mount Vernon
Square District. It may also depend on creative solutions
to the nancial implications of local retail development,
in which there may be a mismatch between what local
retailers can afford to occupy versus what building owners
wish to charge in rent. Finally, it may mean an aggressive
cultivation of local retail talent and perhaps even policy
interventions at DCRA and DOES to ensure that there is an
easy-to-navigate ightpath for local retailers to discover
and invest in Mount Vernon Square District.
LEASING STRATEGIES
The demand for regional,
destination retail is becoming
saturated;
Local and neighborhood serving
retail is in short supply, while
demand from households for such
retail is growing;
Create a district with local
attractions, food and experiences to
attracts tourists and conventioneers
- e.g. Old Town Alexandria or
Georgetown;
Creative nancial incentives that
encourage property owners to lease
to local businesses;
Encourage uses such as -
Grocery and specialty foods,
Kitchen, housewares and home
furnishings/home improvement stores
Storefront ofces/services, such as
tax preparation, dentists, ambulatory
care (especially physical and
occupational therapy)
Yoga/pilates/tness centers
97
From a market perspective, it is imperative that the
management structure for the project area incorporates a
solid plan to activate this Mt. Vernon Square on its interior
and exterior. From a marketing standpoint, the area is a
virtual tabula rasa, and the steward of the plan will have
to articulate a compelling vision and marketing strategy
to communicate this vision. However, the area does have
o physicol osso| - |ho Cornogio Librory - |ho| is on iconic
structure and can serve as a great advantage in articulating
a marketing and branding vision. If activated properly,
the Carnegie Library could in fact be the symbol of the
nox| groo| down|own brond - ono |ho| is bo|h s|oriod in
tradition and globally appealing.
Activation in this case means the appropriate space
planning to provide and promote a truly unique catalytic
use that could be a regional and national iconic example
and attractor of attention. The balancing act that must be
maintained will be to program the parcel so that it becomes
o |roosurod locollysorving ploco wi|h o s|oriod |rodi|ion -
so much so that eventually it becomes a place that becomes
attractive to regional tourists and convention-goers.
It is clear that whatever uses are programmed for the
Carnegie Library building will have to be unique in the
city and the region and offer a compelling experience that
draws repeat visitors emanating from the neighborhood
who establish the building as a part of their daily lives.
Implied in this strategy is the necessity for programmatic
docisions |o bo modo wi|h locol rosidon|s in mind -
making the building and parcel part of the storied
traditions and daily rituals of the residents of the Mount
Vernon Square District, Shaw, South Logan Circle, and
Down|own DC - so much so |ho| visi|ors ond |ouris|s
choose to spend their limited time and money taking part
and taking in a local treasure.
Reprogramming the usage of space should therefore focus
on retail and micro-retail concepts, ideally those that
lovorogo |ho pon|up domond lor spociol|y loods/winos
ond/or uniquo sol| goods [such os opporol, occossorios,
gifts, etc.) The former concept is especially powerful, and
given the growing market for locally-grown foods and
wines in the region and the capacity of those uses to both
serve a need as well as create a destination it should be
explored. Micro-retail concepts, popular abroad and in
reviving urban markets in the U.S., should be explored as
options for activating the space from a retail perspective.
In either of the above scenarios, it is likely that between
30,000 and 60,000 SF of space would need to be
identied and programmed to accommodate the activities
- bu| i| is oquolly likoly |ho| il progrommod proporly,
this square footage could drive signicant revenues
[bo|h in solos ond lrom o ro|oil/lood oporo|orJ. Exhibi|
programming should be considered only as a last resort,
as these uses are over-saturated in the city and the district,
cater to regional tourism as opposed to local-serving
users, and are not strong in generating repeat trafc.
Use the Carnegie Library building as
an iconic symbol for Mount Vernon
Square district
Promote a truly catalytic use within
the Carnegie Library building so that
neighbors establish it as a part of
their daily lives......
.....and visitors and tourists chose to
spend their limited time and money
taking part in a local treasure
Promote micro-retail concepts -
specialty foods/wines or soft goods
to generate repeat trafc
Identify and Program 30,000 to
60,000 sf of space in the Carnegie
Library building
BRANDING AND MARKETING
98
Mount Vernon Square district has
many point of interest; what is
lacking is a clear center that gives
the district identity and links the
many street-level attractions.
If Mount Vernon Square, the
Convention Center and 8th Street
NW are unied into a true center
for the district they will link the
disparate attractions physically
by providing easily navigable
pedestrian paths, and by offering
a distinct identity to which all the
attractions will belong.
A street level strategy for a vibrant,
active Mount Vernon Square district.
ttttttt
CITY CENTER
7
T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
7
T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
8
T
H

S
T
R
E
E
T

N
W
N
A
T
IO
N
A
L M
U
S
E
U
M
O
F
W
O
M
E
N
IN

T
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E
A
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S
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C
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P
R
O
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C
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9
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9
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S
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N
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CITY VISTA
O STREET
MARKET
BLAGDEN
ALLEY
NETWORK
5TH AND K STREET
SCULPTURE
GOETHE
INSTITUTE
SIXTH AND I
STREET HISTORIC
SYNAGOGUE
WAREHOUSE
THEATER
PORTRAIT GALLERY AND
AMERICAN ART MUSEUM
MARTIN LUTHER JR.
LIBRARY
LONG VIEW
GALLERY
MARUKA
GALLERY
LOGAN CIRCLE
SHAW
GALLERY PLACE/
CHINATOWN
DOWNTOWN DC
M
A
S
S
A
C
H
U
S
E
TTS
A
V
E
N
U
E
N
W
M
A
S
S
A
C
H
U
S
E
TTS
A
V
E
N
U
E
N
W
K STREET NW K STREET NW
N
E
W
Y
O
R
K
A
V
E
N
U
E
N
W
N
E
W
Y
O
R
K
A
V
E
N
U
E
N
W
CONVENTION
CENTER ART
COLLECTION
99
* /uop| u /o|c|u|us|g ||u| |o| /ou|| \o||o| Suu|o Ds||c|
* /o||o| po||o|uu|co o| |o|u| u|u o||o| couuo|cu| p|opo||os
to ascertain need for additional incentives.
* /ovo DC \s|o| Co||o| |o ||o |ouu|ouso o| ||o Co|vo||o|
Center.
1.
2.
3.
COORDINATED
DEVELOPMENT
FISCAL AND
POLICY
INCENTIVES
THE CENTER - MOUNT
VERNON SQUARE
AND THE CARNEGIE
LIBRARY BUILDING
Croo|o o monogomon| on|i|y [possibly wi|h |ho DBlDJ
for Mount Vernon Square District to shepherd the
redevelopment process.
TIMELINE
* || |ocossu|,, c|ou|o uuu|o|u| |co||vos |o| |o|u| u|u o||o|
couuo|cu| uc|v|os |||oug|
o Retail rent subsidies;
o ux u|u|ouo|| po|cos
* |opos|o| Cu||ogo |||u|, Eu|u|g u|u g|ou|us us u c|,
vuo uos||u|o| v||
o Active uses including restaurants;
o Specialty retail outlets,
o ||og|uuuou ou|uoo| ovo||s
o Food vending.
* |o uu|ugouo|| o|||, v||
o ||ovuo uo||||, uovo|opuo|| upuu|os
o| |ou| os|u|o uc|v|, v||| /ou|| \o||o|
Suu|o Ds||c|
o Coordinate funding sources with public
agencies such as DCCAH, DDOT (add other
public agencies)
o Work closely with consultants to develop
up|ouo||u|o|o|o||ou p|u|s |o| |o, u|ous
suc| us /ou|| \o||o| Suu|o, ||o Eov|o
pu||s, suovu||s u|o|g upo||u|| s||oo|s
o Co| govo||uo|| |u,| o| ||o s||u|og, |o|
/ou|| \o||o| Suu|o Ds||c|, ospocu||, us |
relates to other districts within the city (such as
|o// o| ||o \u||o| |ou u|ou}
* |uo|||, cupuc|, |o| ux ||c|ouo|| ||u|c|g o| ||o
Gould property at 9th Street NW and New York Avenue
NW and the Old Convention Center site
* Su|u| |ouos| |o| zo||g c|u|gos |o suppo|| uu,uco||
ground oor land use and facade controls around parks
and open spaces.
100
RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL STUDIES
S|udy |rolhc oporo|ions on Moun| Vornon Ploco MW ond
K Street NW south of the square as a result of new mid-
block crossings.
Crol| o |ronspor|o|ion s|udy in con|unc|ion wi|h
environmental work for streetcar alignments and funding
- oi|hor os o soporo|o s|udy or os o por| ol |ho s|roo|cor
planning work. Ensure the consideration of the following
recommendations, including:
o Analyzing the split streetcar lines around the
square to link both sides of K Street
o Analyzing a 1-way trafc loop conguration
o Analyzing 7th and 9th as a one-way pair
o Analyzing a 2-way conguration
Anolyzo o 1woy |rolhc loop conhguro|ion wi|h Z|h
and 9th streets remaining in 2-way operation. Timing of
this study will be contingent on timing and funding of the
streetcar segment.
Dovolop |ronspor|o|ion s|udy lor biko lonos on Z|h
Street adjacent to the Square and just north of Square, by
eliminating a through lane at the Square and eliminating
parking just north of the square - emphasis should be on
bike lanes and not on vehicle LOS.
Evoluo|o |ho loosibili|y ol ollowing porking on ono sido
of 7th Street NW; evaluate the feasibility and need to
make 7th Street a transit- and bicycle-only zone between
Indiana Avenue NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW at
all times and move northbound trafc to 6th Street NW;
Evoluo|o biko ond |ronsi| |roo|mon|s ond moko chongos
permanent as appropriate.
Dovolop o |ronspor|o|ion s|udy |ho| onolyzos |ho
impacts of reducing the timing for the lagging right turn
phase at the intersection of 9th Street NW, Massachusetts
Avenue NW, and Mount Vernon place NW by 3 seconds
in order to increase the green time for right turn vehicles
from eastbound Massachusetts Avenue onto southbound
9th Street.
Conduc| o corridor s|udy on Mossochuso||s Avonuo |o
accommodate bikes.
Conduc| o corridor s|udy on Mow York Avo nor|h ol |ho
Square to accommodate bikes; add bike lanes on New
York Avenue south of the Square.
Preparation for the DC Streetcar
In this study, the team developed several different
alternatives for the streetcar along K Street on the east and
west sides of the Square. We discussed pros and cons of
several aspects, such as:
Track alignment
Stop Placement
Signal timing
Coordination with placemaking on the Square and
along 8th Street
Impacts on trafc and several scenarios to change the
trafc pattern
Impacts on pedestrian crossings, including mid-block
crosswalks
Addressing bicycle circulation
Parking

Before any decisions can be made the DC Streetcar must
conduct appropriate NEPA reviews which are scheduled
for 2011. The information gathered in this study will be
used as groundwork for the Streetcar NEPA process.
MOUNT VERNON SQUARE
DISTRICT DESIGN PROJECT
DRAFT
NOVEMBER 2010

Mount Vernon Square District Design Project (DC Office of Planning, November 2010)

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Mount Vernon Square District Design Project (DC Office of Planning, November 2010)

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MOUNT VERNON SQUARE DISTRICT

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