In March 2022, OP published the New York Avenue NE Roadmap, which laid out a series of steps for guiding the corridor’s transition from an industrial hub to a more vibrant, housing-rich neighborhood where residents can live, work, and socialize. This month, we’re providing a report on Roadmap progress.

1. New York Avenue Vision Framework – OP recently completed the New York Avenue Vision Framework, which will guide implementation of land use changes along New York Ave NE. It contains a series of recommendations to facilitate more units of affordable housing, enable employment opportunities for residents, and increase resilience to environmental shocks and stressors.

2. Production, Distribution, and Repair Report – This report will help inform future planning and policy that balances the distribution of PDR land uses in the District, such as warehouse, maintenance, and manufacturing uses, and better mitigates environmental impacts. OP will release the report in January 2024.

3. Ivy City Small Area Plan – We have accomplished many milestones for this ongoing neighborhood plan, which will be completed in 2024. OP has engaged residents, community leaders, and young people through outreach events, community walking tours, listening sessions, and focus groups to gather input on future changes they envision for the neighborhood. OP released the Ivy City Small Area Plan Existing Conditions Report, which summarized our analysis of existing community conditions, community feedback, and a snapshot of community survey responses. OP also worked with volunteers to collect data for an Ivy City Public Life Study. Next year, we will work closely with the community to develop recommendations for public space, urban design, housing, and community resiliency. We will kick this off with a community workshop in March of 2024.

Join us on Saturday, December 9, from 1-3 pm in the large meeting room of the Southwest Library, where our urban designers will demystify urban planning and design. Explore design terminology with practical examples and visuals, followed by a walking tour around the neighborhood to apply this newfound knowledge on our city streets. Learn how planners and designers think about public space and how we can all work together to improve it. Feel free to RSVP here (suggested but not required).

OP is committed to supporting the next generation of designers and planners that reflect the rich culture and diversity of the District. We visit DC schools to allow students to step into the shoes of a planner or designer. Over the next few weeks, OP will visit School Without Walls and Cardozo High School.

If you are interested in having OP present to a class or youth program, or know of students who would like to connect with OP staff to discuss careers in planning, design and preservation, please contact us at planning@dc.gov or call us at 202-442-7600.