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October is National Community Planning Month! The DC Office of Planning (OP) guides long-term growth and development in neighborhoods to ensure all DC residents can thrive. Throughout the month of October, we shared different ways OP works with residents in setting a shared vision for the District's future. Check out the the articles below for highlights and follow OP on Instagram for more.
Sincerely,
Anita Cozart
Director, DC Office of Planning
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OP was commended during Community Planning Month with three awards for innovative planning initiatives. On October 11, the Downtown DC Public Realm Plan received the 2024 American Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter’s Award for Outstanding Plan. The plan was recognized at the chapter’s annual conference for its bold vision to harness one of DC’s greatest assets – public space – to elevate the way people experience Downtown DC.
The District’s 2025 budget includes $1.9 million for OP’s Streets for People grant program to implement the Downtown DC Public Realm Plan. The plan identifies catalytic projects to create engaging experiences and spaces that will draw people Downtown. The initiatives advance DC Comeback Plan goals of increasing the number of Downtown residents by 15,000 within 5 years. OP developed the plan, with extensive input from residents, stakeholders, business and urban planning leaders.
On October 28, the Lambda Alpha International Land Economics Society honored two of OP’s projects. OP received the Outstanding Plan or Program Award for a collection of neighborhood plans designed to advance the District’s housing goals west of Rock Creek Park. These plans allow for approximately 10,000 new housing units, of which over 2,000 could be dedicated affordable housing, enabling more DC residents access to the schools, jobs, transit, and other amenities this part of the city has to offer. District Crossroads, a new podcast we launched to spotlight neighborhood history through compelling stories from residents, was awarded the Creative Community Outreach prize. We produced the podcast as part of a neighborhood planning effort to envision a transformational future for the area surrounding the intersection of North Capitol and Irving Streets. The project aims to create a vision for more interconnected neighborhoods anchored by places to live, work, and heal.
Thank you to the countless community members who engaged with OP and helped in shaping these projects. Â
OP Team accepting the 2024 American Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter’s Outstanding Plan Award for the Downtown DC Public Realm Plan on October 11, 2024.
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OP Team accepting Lambda Alpha International’s Outstanding Plan or Program Award for Rock Creek West Plans on October 28, 2024.
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OP Team accepting Lambda Alpha International’s Creative Community Outreach Award for the District Crossroads podcast series on October 28, 2024.
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In celebration of Community Planning Month, we're highlighting how OP works with residents to shape the future of DC's neighborhoods. We are continually seeking out new and better ways to include more people in the planning process. During a recent community workshop for the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Studies, we introduced a simulated walking tour using Google Street View in response to a community request for more accessible engagement options. This virtual tour allows participants to explore the project area from a computer, providing an inclusive and accessible experience for those with mobility challenges, time constraints, or difficulties attending in-person events. To enhance the experience, we also provided a guided tour facilitated by our staff, allowing participants to ask questions and engage more deeply with the content. This tool is an example of OP’s commitment to developing engagement strategies that accommodate diverse needs, ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to participate and provide input, regardless of physical or geographical limitations.
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OP staff facilitating a virtual walking tour at the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Community Workshop on August 13, 2024.
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A screenshot of the Google Street View interface focused on a key location within the project area.
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The District’s Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) Land Use Report evaluates how much land the District needs for these uses, strategies the District can use to meet its needs, and how to implement mixed-use PDR policies.
PDR land is used in the District to provide critical services to District residents and businesses including trash pick-up, wastewater treatment, and roadway repair. It's also critical for the operation of businesses, such as construction companies that do business with the District, companies that make or warehouse food and other consumer products, companies that repair cars, and businesses that deliver goods to residents.
The findings from this report will inform the District’s next Comprehensive Plan, which is scheduled to start in 2025. It will also inform the Zoning Commission when it considers amendments to PDR zoning.
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On November 1, the DC Council Committee of the Whole will hold public hearings on the Ivy City Small Area Plan and the Nannie Helen Burroughs Corridor Small Area Plan. Visit the Council’s website for more information on how to submit a testimony and watch the hearings live.
Learn more and get involved in our community planning projects:
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Food Policy Council at THEARC Farm on October 9th.
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Food Policy Council at THEARC Farm on October 9th.
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OP at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' DC Farm Tour on October 18th.
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Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Public Feedback Open House on October 19th.
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Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Public Feedback Open House on October 19th.
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Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Public Feedback Open House on October 19th.
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