May 2024

Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month from the Office of Planning (OP)! May is also National Preservation Month. In honor of AANHPI Heritage and Historic Preservation, check out the article below that highlights a newly approved historic landmark significant to the Chinese community in DC. We're also excited to share a new map of Asian American historical sites in DC, produced through our ongoing study on the heritage of DC’s Asian American communities.

Sincerely,

Anita Cozart

Director, DC Office of Planning

• Honoring DC's Asian American Community History
• Join Us in Commemorating DC
• Celebrate DC’s First Archaeology Month!
• New Summer Meals Benefits for DC Families
• Meet Our Intern
• 📢 Engage in Planning Efforts
• OP in the Community

Honoring DC's Asian American Community History

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re pleased to announce that the Historic Preservation Review Board recently voted to landmark the Old Chinese Legation building. The Adams Morgan property, located at 2001 19th Street NW, was home to the permanent diplomatic mission from China to the United States from 1902 to 1943. The HPRB has submitted the nomination to the National Park Service for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

This nomination is a product of an Underrepresented Communities Grant OP received from the National Park Service to recognize the heritage of the District of Columbia’s Asian American communities. OP partnered with the DC Preservation League and the 1882 Foundation to undertake research documenting Chinese and Korean American experiences and places in DC. Outcomes include a National Register nomination for the Old Korean Legation and documentation of the presence and significance of Asian businesses in the Union Market historic district. Additional study components to come include narrative histories of the Chinese American and Korean American communities of Washington. Stay tuned for the final Context Study of the District's Chinese and Korean communities which will be available on our website in July. 

^{Now a condominium, the Old Chinese Legation was the second purpose-built legation, a permanent home for diplomats, in Washington. It housed representatives from the Qing government and later the Republic of China. It was elevated to embassy status in 1936 and seven years later moved to Massachusetts Avenue where it remained as a legation until the early 1960s. Photo of Minister to the U.S. Wu Tingfang. Frances Benjamin Johnston Collection, Library of Congress.}

Join Us in Commemorating DC

Commemorate DC, the District's effort to honor the vibrant stories and profound impacts of Black Washingtonians and other people of color, kicked off a series of community engagement events in April when we announced the four subjects, sites and artists for new commemorative works in Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Be a part of the creative process and join us for Design Workshops where we invite you to give your input to shape the designs of future commemorations.

• Ward 4 – June 22,10 AM-12 PM, Emery Heights Community Center
• Ward 4 – DC Caribbean Carnival | June 22 | 1-4 PM | Freedom Plaza
• Ward 5 – June 22, 2-4 PM, Langdon Park Recreation Center
• Ward 7 – July 13, 10 AM-12 PM, Deanwood Community Center
• Ward 8 – July 13, 2-4 PM, Anacostia Arts Center

Visit publicinput.com/cwtap for more information on the subjects, sites, and details on the upcoming design workshops.

Celebrate DC’s First Archaeology Month!

Mayor Bowser has officially proclaimed June as DC Archaeology Month to celebrate Archaeology and to promote the preservation of DC’s heritage. More than 400 archaeological sites have been discovered across every part of the city, from along the rivers to the rocky slopes of Rock Creek. Remnants of houses, fire pits or hearths, cooking pots fishing gear, and stone tools tell the story of how prehistoric people used DC land and resources. This year, we are also celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of DC's archaeology program. DC archaeology identifies, records, and protects important archeological sites, and the DC Historic Preservation Office maintains records of items recovered from archaeological sites.

Join OP at the DC Day of Archaeology on Saturday, June 1st from 10 am to 3 pm at Dumbarton House in Georgetown. During this free and family-friendly event attendees will be able to talk to archaeologists and explore the field of archaeology through fun activities. The celebration continues with additional events where kids can practice excavation at the Shaw Library on June 6 and craft “artifacts” from native plants at Because Science on June 8. 

^{OP Archaeology Team at Anacostia River Festival on May 4th.}

New Summer Meals Benefits for DC Families

Applications will open on June 3rd for SUN Bucks summer meals benefits, also known as Summer EBT. Eligible students will receive a one-time $120 benefit to purchase food when school is out. Residents can review eligibility guidelines and apply at sunbucks.dc.gov. SUN Bucks is a new, permanent federal benefits program that provides low-income families with students food access over the summer months. Some students will get these benefits automatically and do not need to apply—students receiving SNAP or TANF are preapproved. Other families will need to submit a short online application. The benefits will be provided on an Electronic Benefit Transaction card and can be used to buy food at any authorized SNAP retailer, like grocery stores and farmers markets. Full details are available at sunbucks.dc.gov. DC government agencies and partner organizations will also be tabling at community events throughout the summer to assist residents with applying for benefits.

Meet Our Intern

Lizzie Dickerson is working with OP’s Urban Design team as a summer intern. Lizzie just finished her sophomore year at the University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing a double major in Urban Studies and Politics & Philosophy. She is a recipient of Pitt’s David C. Frederick Public Service Award.

📢 Engage in Planning Efforts

Ivy City neighbors joined the OP team at an open house on May 21^st to review and comment on draft recommendations. The Ivy City Small Area Plan draft recommendations focus on housing and affordability, public realm and design, and community resilience. OP welcomes community feedback on the draft recommendations until Friday, May 31^st. Visit the Ivy City Small Area Plan project page to view the draft recommendations and submit feedback.

Learn more and get involved in our community planning projects: 

OP in the Community

Join us at the following events where OP staff will be available to answer questions and share information about OP’s work:

June 1 | DC Day of Archaeology Festival

• Join us at the annual DC Day of Archaeology Festival where you can talk to archaeologists and explore the archaeology of DC, Maryland, and Virginia through hands-on activities.
• 10 AM-3 PM | Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St NW

June 1 | Nannie Helen Burroughs Small Area Plan Recommendations Open House

• Join OP staff for an open house to help shape the small area plan by providing feedback on draft recommendations.
• 11AM-2 PM | Faunteroy Center, 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE

June 1 | Urban Design Walking Tour – Anacostia OP’s Urban Design Visual Guide makes technical terms accessible and understandable so that more District residents can participate in discussions about how we design our city. Join us to explore urban planning and 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. 1:30-3 PM | Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave SE

June 22 | DC Caribbean Carnival

• Join our Commemorate DC team at the DC Caribbean Carnival to share your input on design concepts for a new memorial in Ward 4. 
• 1-4 PM | Freedom Plaza, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave NW

June 22 | Storytellers Tapestry: Revealing Our Journeys (Commemorate DC Design Workshops)

• Ward 4 – 10 AM-12 PM | Emery Heights Community Center, 5701 Georgia Ave NW
• Ward 5 – 2-4 PM | Langdon Park Recreation Center, 2901 20th St NE

July 13 | Storytellers Tapestry: Revealing Our Journeys (Commemorate DC Design Workshops)

• Ward 7 – 10 AM-12 PM | Deanwood Community Center, 1350 49th St NE 
• Ward 8 – 2-4 PM | Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave SE

^{Ivy City Small Area Plan Recommendations Open House, May 21st}

^{OP extended DC Bike to Work Day, May 17th, into a full week and ran an agency active commuting challenge.}