OP is committed to supporting next generation of designers and planners that reflect the racial diversity of the District.  Recently, we participated with the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to provide Historic Black College and University (HBCU) architecture students with learning opportunities in the historic preservation field.  Students from various HBCUs, including Tuskegee University, Morgan State University, and Hampton University, spent a week in DC for “Preservation in Practice” which included a walking tour of preservation efforts at the Howard Theater and U Street Historic District led by Imania Price from OP’s Historic Preservation Office.

If you know of students who would like to connect with Office of Planning staff to discuss careers in planning, design and preservation please contact us at planning@dc.gov or call us at 202-442-7600. 

On August 10^th, Interim Director Anita Cozart joined Black Homeownership Strike Force co-chair, Reverend Graylan Hagler, on the WPFW radio show, What’s at Stake to talk about the Strike Force’s charge and goals. Other guests included DHCD’s Interim Director, Drew Hubbard; Sheila Cross Reid, President and CEO of Avanti Real Estate Services; and Djuro Mircetic from the DC Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. A recording of the show is available here.

For more information about the Black Homeownership Strike Force, please visit blackhome.dc.gov. To access resources to support your housing needs, please visit frontdoor.dc.gov. 

Kennedy Street NW is a mixed-use corridor where public spaces are changing to be more attractive, active, and inviting to residents in surrounding neighborhoods. OP, in partnership with the District Department of Transportation, recently released Kennedy Street Streetscape Guidelines: A Coordinated Design for Public Space on Kennedy Street NW. The guidelines will help further community and District goals for more pedestrian friendly and environmentally responsible public spaces that support a vibrant neighborhood commercial area.

The Historic Preservation Office (HPO) in the DC Office of Planning is pleased to report on the progress of the District’s preservation program during Fiscal Year 2021. The 2021 Historic Preservation Office Annual Report highlights HPO’s many accomplishments across the various elements of historic preservation.

Welcome to OP’s Urban Design Corner, where we share interesting tidbits about urban design each month. This month, we’re defining the term “Engaging Facades.” Any building face that is readily seen from a street or sidewalk is considered ‘engaging’ when it offers an opportunity to people to interact with one another or otherwise take interest in something special going on. This treatment can be key to creating a pleasant atmosphere along a block that helps frame an active and welcoming public space.

On the upper levels of buildings, creating engaging facades can be straightforward. Balconies can make a space feel ‘lived in’ and friendly. Murals, artistic signage or attractive architectural features can provide visual interest. On the ground floor, porches and stoops can allow for interaction between neighbors in residential zones, whereas storefronts with high visibility windows or creative displays can make passersby feel comfortable on a commercial street.

There are many ways to step up a facade’s level of engagement by increasing the potential for interaction between people. Storefronts that can open up during nice weather for café space, or that allow a retailer to host market stalls or outdoor displays encourage passersby to linger and let people feel like they are playing an active role in a space. And as social creatures, this neighborhood liveliness can make us feel comfortable and welcome in a space – and inspire us to return to neighborhood again and again.  

To learn more, check out the Comprehensive Plan’s Urban Design Chapter.  

The New York Ave Vision Framework project is having a virtual community kick off meeting tonight, August 31^st, from 7-8:30PM. This meeting will introduce the project and seek input from community members about their experiences and hopes for the future of New York Ave NE. Use this link to participate!

There will be many other opportunities to participate coming up in September including pop-up events, walking tours, and community meetings. Mark your calendars for community walking tours on September 10^th and September 13^th as well as a virtual community meeting on September 22^nd or join us in-person on September 24^th. Please stay tuned for details to be announced by signing up for the New York Ave Vision Framework mailing list or check out our events page for more information.