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As we celebrated Earth Day this month, we are reminded of the Office of Planning’s (OP) focus on enhancing the District’s sustainability and resilience. The District’s Comprehensive Plan contains many policies and actions that address the protection and restoration of the District’s land, air, water, energy, and natural resources. The updated Comp Plan also introduces resilience approaches that guide the District in becoming an equitable, livable city that can respond to both human-made and natural shocks and stressors, including displacement and other risks posed by climate change and public health emergencies.
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Sincerely,
Anita Cozart
Interim Director, DC Office of Planning
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The Office of Planning's Historic Preservation Office has recently been awarded a $50,000 grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a Latino Historic Context Study. The award, from NPS’s Underrepresented Community Grant program, supports efforts to identify historic and cultural resources related to communities that have often been overlooked in traditional planning and preservation efforts, and encourages nominations to the National Register of Historic Places to increase representation of places and spaces representative of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. The grant is OP’s fourth Underrepresented Communities project, having completed context studies for LGBTQ history and currently completing others for Women’s Suffrage and Asian and Pacific Islander history in the District. The Latino Historic Context Study project is anticipated to commence in 2023.
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 The Streets for People Grant Program aims to boost economic recovery in downtown and support local businesses by attracting workers, residents, and visitors to a vibrant area of activated blocks, sidewalks, streets, and parks. The first public space activation event funded by in part by Streets for People, Pop of Spring, took place on April 8th – 17th. The outdoor block party hosted by the DowntownDC BID, featured a range of food, entertainment, and activities including live music, video game consoles, anime movie screenings and more at the 800 block of F Street NW. Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, OP Interim Director Anita Cozart, and Director of the Cherry Blossom Festival Diana Mayhew joined the DowntownDC BID to kick off Pop of Spring.
The Adman’s Morgan BID, DowntownDC BID, Dupont Circle BID, Golden Triangle BID, and Mount Vernon Triangle CID will be hosting public space activation events through the summer and fall as part of the Streets for People Grant Program.
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The Draft Chevy Chase Small Area Plan is available for public review and comment through May 13, 2022. Visit the Chevy Chase Small Area Plan page to download the draft plan and information on how to share your feedback.
Learn more and get involved in our community planning projects:
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Welcome to OP’s Urban Design Corner, where we share interesting tidbits about urban design every month. This month, we’re defining public space, public realm, and public life. As DC transitions into spring and summer, warmer weather brings exciting opportunities for all of us to get outside and experience the impacts of good urban design, through DC’s vibrant and diverse public spaces and public life.
 From the alley to the block, the District’s public spaces are full of potential for community gatherings. Transforming an open plaza into a pop-up community gathering space for the day can bring neighbors together, strengthen community bonds, celebrate culture, and affirm a sense of belonging. The Our City, Our Spaces! A Materials, Tools, and Equipment Library for Neighborhood-Led Activities provides guidance to the people of Washington, DC on how to create social events in their neighborhoods and public spaces. With this toolkit, community residents and organizations can enhance social, cultural, and physical improvement activities in their neighborhoods.
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