March 2026

If you've been receiving this newsletter, wondering what the best way is to get involved in planning, now is a great time. We have online workshops or surveys open for the DC 2050 comprehensive plan, the H Street Land Use and Market Study, the RFK Master Plan, and Food Policy work on shared kitchen space. Your input is incredibly valuable to our work and we thank you for your interest and engagement.

Sincerely,
Anita Cozart
Director, DC Office of Planning

• Participate in Surveys for DC 2050, H Street, RFK, and Shared Commercial Kitchen Space
• Celebrating Women's History Month
• Spotlight on Open Data
• 📢 Engage in Planning Efforts
• OP in the Community

Participate in Surveys for DC 2050, H Street, RFK, and Shared Commercial Kitchen Space

Online Workshop on the DC 2050 Future Land Use Map At recent public workshops, we shared a draft future land use map and sought feedback. The future land use map is one component of the comprehensive plan, which will be paired with policy language. For those unable to attend the workshops, we have published an online participation option. Comment on our proposed land use changes in the virtual workshop, open through April 30.

Virtual Open House Survey on the H Street Land Use and Market Study This study will focus on land use, public space, and economic development on H Street NE between 3rd and 15th Street NE and consider policies and strategies to support this unique corridor and its community. The survey is an online version of our March 7 open house.  Take the H Street survey, open through April 10.

RFK Master Plan Survey The Master Plan will establish new land use, zoning, and design standards to guide future development, and will identify opportunities for recreation, housing, businesses, and waterfront connections. We invite residents to participate in an online survey for the RFK Master Plan. This survey includes information and questions shared at the March 24 and 28 workshops.  Respond to the survey by April 12.

Shared Kitchen Needs Survey The Food Policy Council is gathering input from food entrepreneurs across the District to understand interest and needs for shared commercial kitchen space. The survey will support work to expand shared kitchen options in Ward 7 and 8. Food business operators are invited to take the survey by April 14.

Celebrating Women's History Month

In honor of Women's History Month, we invite you to check out several resources created by our Historic Preservation Office that spotlight the contributions of women leaders in the District.

Report on the Women's Suffrage Movement in Washington, DC - This report chronicles the history of the fight for women's suffrage in the District, including significant people, places, and events. It begins in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention and the start of the women's suffrage movement, and ends in 1973, the year that Congress passed the Home Rule Act, establishing the District's elected government.

StoryMap on the National Training School for Women and Girls - This collection of facts and images tells the history of the National Training School for Women and Girls, founded by Nannie Helen Burroughs in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. Click on the photo to the left to hear Historic Preservation Specialist Imania describe Burroughs's and the school's legacy. The StoryMap was created as part of the Nannie Helen Burroughs Small Area Plan to support the school campus's protection and continued relevance in the community.

Spotlight on Open Data

Open data is a cornerstone of democratic governance, empowering the public with transparent government information that promotes civic engagement and accountability. This year, Mayor Bowser declared the week of March 22-29 as DC Open Data Week, celebrating how the District's Open Data portal serves agencies, universities, civic organizations, and the public by providing free datasets, applications, and maps. The Office of Planning is the State Data Center for DC, which is the District's official link to the US Census Bureau. In this role, we manage an open data site for demographic data. What is the OP Demographic Data Hub? Our open data site presents selected demographic, social, housing and economic data and analysis in geographic profiles, policy, interactive and downloadable maps, open data search, reports, studies and other downloadable resources that users can incorporate into their research and data products. It can help locate areas of population growth, economic viability, at-risk populations and businesses, which can be used to determine resource allocations based on need. View the OP Data Hub to explore data like the stats shown on the right.

📢 Engage in Planning Efforts

Learn more and get involved in our community planning projects:

• DC 2050
• H St Land Use and Market Study
• Poplar Point Plan
• RFK Stadium Campus Master Plan

OP in the Community

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

• April 8 | Office of Planning Budget Oversight Hearing at the DC Council Committee of the Whole | 10:30 AM | Virtual (view on the Council's website)
• April 18 | RFK Master Plan Community Site Walk | 10 AM - 12 PM | Stadium-Armory Metro Station | 192 19th St. SE (North Exit)
• April 23 | RFK Master Plan Community Site Walk | 6 - 8 PM | Stadium-Armory Metro Station | 192 19th St. SE (North Exit)

Pictured: Community engagement for DC 2050, RFK, and Food Policy at the Rooting DC Urban Agriculture Conference

Pictured: DC 2050 Exploring Possible Futures public workshops held at MLK Library

Pictured, left to right: Tabling at DMPED's March Madness event; Open house events for the RFK Master Plan