GREAT

STREETS

FRAMEWORK

PLAN

Government of District of Columbia Anthony A. Williams, Mayor District Department of Transportation Michelle Pourciau, Director

H STREET NE - BENNING ROAD

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

H Street NE H Street NE BenningRoad Benning Road

THE GREAT STREETS PROGRAM INVOLVED THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN A THE GREAT TASKS PROGRAM INVOLVED THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN VARIETY OF PROJECTSTREETSSUCH AS ANALYSIS, DISCUSSION, WORKSHOPS, IDEA PROCESSING,A VARIETY OF PROJECT TASKS SUCH AS ANALYSIS, DISCUSSION, WORKSHOPS, IDEA BUDGETING AND DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS. PROCESSING, BUDGETING AND DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS.
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DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

H Street NE/ Benning Road

Table of Contents
Program Goals PRINCIPLES A FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE HISTORY AND CONTEXT EXISTING TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT B-2 B-2 B-4 B-6 B-7

OTHER INITIATIVES AND MARKET POTENTIALS B-8 Several Transportation and Planning Projects Will Impact the Corridor ......................B-8 TRANSPORTATION RECOMMENDATIONS B-10 Right-of-Way Configuration: .................................................................................B-0 Pedestrian Facilities: .............................................................................................B-0 Bicycle Facilities: ..................................................................................................B- Transit Facilities:...................................................................................................B- Vehicle/Parking Facilities: .....................................................................................B- H STREET NE SEGMENT B-12 North Capitol Street to 4th Street NE ....................................................................B- STARBURST SEGMENT B-14 4th Street NE to 6th Street NE ...........................................................................B-4
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North Capitol Street

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GREEN BOULEVARD SEGMENT B-16 6th Street NE to Oklahoma Avenue NE .................................................................B-6 MINNESOTA - BENNING SEGMENT B-18 Anacostia Ave NE to 4nd Street NE ......................................................................B-8 EAST CAPITOL SEGMENT B-20 43rd Road NE to B Street SE .................................................................................B-0 BENNING RIDGE B-22 46th Street SE to G Street SE ................................................................................B-

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BUDGET LENGTH EXTENT

$30 million 5.00 miles - North Capitol Street to Southern Avenue

STREETSCAPE TREATMENT ACTION PLAN ACTIONS PLANNED TO DATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

B-24 B-26 B-28 B-29

H Street NE Benning Road

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GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

Introduction

G reat Streets is a multi-agency program that

PRINCIPLES ENERGIzE
HOPSCOTCH BRIDGE

strategically uses public investments to improve local quality of life and to attract private investment to communities. The corridors that are identified as the first phase of the Great Streets Program are not only vital to the community development of local neighborhoods, but are also key to enhancing the Districts diversity and prosperity.

Strengthen businesses and other local services

H Street NE Benning Road

REfRESh

Integrate nature and create valuable open spaces

UNION STATION

Program Goals
. Improve the quality of life in neighborhoods along the corridors, including public safety, physical appearance, and personal opportunity; . Support local demand for goods and services through economic development; 3. Expand mobility choices and improve safety and efficiency of all modes of travel; and 4. Attract private investment through the demonstration of a public commitment to Great Streets communities.
STANTON SQUARE

MovE

Choices in how to travel

US CAPITOL

DISTINGuISh

Safe, vibrant places that reflect local character

CARE

Increase community ownership and participation

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DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

ARBORETUM

STARBURST INTERSECTION

BENNING BRIDGE

FORT MAHAN PARK

KINGMAN HERITAGE ISLANDS LINCOLN PARK

FORT CHAPLIN PARK

WOODLAWN CEMETERY

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H Street NE Benning Road

LANGSTON GOLF COURSE

Introduction

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

Introduction

A fRAMEWoRK foR ChANGE

This corridor is seeing rapid change. Properties along H Street NE are coming up for redevelopment and streetscape improvements are scheduled for implementation in 006. The Starburst intersection is being designed as a neighborhood plaza. Benning Road NE, from the Starburst intersection to Oklahoma Avenue NE, will have streetscape improvements. Streetcar service will compliment H Streets bus service, and provide adequate transit options for residents of Benning Road up to the Minnesota Avenue intersection, across the river. Benning Road, west of the river, is currently a six lane roadway that will have a median which will accommodate streetcar stops. Efforts are underway to create a neighborhood downtown for Ward 7 at the Benning Road-Minnesota Avenue intersection. Other developments such as those listed below will go a long way in achieving this goal, by bringing new residents and visitors to downtown.

Minnesota-Benning Government Center

Parkside mixed-use developments Renovations to the public library near the Minnesota Avenue intersection Revitalization of the shopping center near East Capitol Street and Minnesota Avenue. Alternatives for the I-95/Kenilworth Avenue intersection will create a more accessible Benning Bridge, potentially offering access to Kingman Island and a pleasing environment across the bridge.

H Street NE Benning Road

14 th St NE

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vISIoN The H Street NE-Benning Road Corridor links central downtown to dense urban neighborhoods, riverfronts, parkland, and quiet green communities in the District Gateway. Dynamic streetscapes enliven three major neighborhood centers active with retail, office, housing, and entertainment uses. Green trees line the intervening park, waterfront, and residential areas where pedestrians stroll.
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Extent/ Length Level of Improvements

Destination North Capitol Street to 14th Street NE (6,680 Feet)

Major Reconstruction
Major reconstruction per H Street NE construction documents

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H Street NE

Starburst Intersection
14th Street NE to 16th Street NE (1,280 Feet)

Plaza

Major Reconstruction
Plaza design Curb/gutter re-alignment Public art Streetlighting: #16 light pole for mid-block lighting and the Teardrop Pendant for intersections New street trees

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

MAYfAIR

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MARShALL hEIGhTS
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Minnesota Ave NE

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Benning Green Boulevard

Neighborhood 16th St. NE to Oklahoma Ave. NE (3,500 Feet)

Kingman Bridge
Oklahoma Ave to Anacostia Ave NE (2,650 Ft)

River Terrace/ Benning Bridge

Anacostia Ave to Minnesota Ave NE (3,220 Feet)

Minnesota
Destination Minnesota Ave to 42nd St NE (3,000 Feet)

East Capitol
Neighborhood 43rd Rd NE to B St SE (1,800 Feet)

Benning Ridge
Neigborhood
46th St SE to G St SE AND H St SE to Southern Ave (1,760 Feet)

Major Reconstruction
Addition of median Sidewalk extensions Curb/gutter re-alignment Streetlighting: #16 light pole for mid-block lighting and the Teardrop Pendant for intersections New street trees Enhanced transit stops

Enhancement

Reconstruction
Landscape treatment on bridge Addition of median from Anacostia Avenue to Minnesota Avenue Curb/gutter re-alignment New sidewalk Public art New streetlighting: #16 light pole for mid-block lighting and the Teardrop Pendant for intersections New street trees Other landscaping treatment for sidewalks

Major Reconstruction

General Enhancements
New sidewalk New street lighting: #16 light pole for mid-block lighting and the Teardrop Pendant for intersections New street trees Public art

General Enhancements
New sidewalk New street lighting: #16 light pole for mid-block lighting and the Teardrop Pendant for intersections New street trees Public art Way-finding signage

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H Street NE Benning Road

BENNING
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Introduction

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NE St

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GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

hISToRY AND CoNTEXT

The H Street NE Benning Road Corridor is the most diverse of the Great Streets Corridors. H Street NE formed one of the Districts premiere shopping streets in the early 900s, served by streetcar and visited by various city residents. At H Streets eastern end lies the Starburst intersection where Bladensburg Road and Benning Road, among others, intersect. The intersection was the site of an old tollgate which was used to enter the Federal City. Benning Road continues east as a wide street that crosses the Anacostia River (the only Great Street that does so) to the Benning Bridge, which was originally built as a wooden structure in 797 by the Anacostia Bridge Company. East of the Anacostia, the street enters the Deanwood Community. Platted originally as three sub-divisions (Whittingham, Lincoln, and Burrville) by the Sheriff Sisters, this community was settled by AfricanAmericans in the aftermath of the Civil War. Growth in the area was slow. It was not until 909 that the community grew large enough to house its first school, the Deanwood Elementary School, now the George Washington Carver School, and the National Trade and Professional School for Women and Girls, which was founded by Nannie Helen Burroughs. The area remained a low-density, semi-rural settlement untill World War II, when government jobs spurred growth. City services such as paved roads, sewers, and sidewalks only came to the area in the 950s. Development continued until 969, when the area became a major African-American Community. As with other retail corridors in the District, H Street NE suffered from disinvestment and the loss of patronage. The street is lined with retail facilities that are in poor condition. Trolley services have been replaced by bus service, leaving the corridor a major thoroughfare that brings traffic from Bladensburg Road and Benning Road into downtown. The I-95 Corridor separates the Deanwood community from the Anacostia River and the core of the District of Columbia. It brings large traffic volumes into the city, severely impacting the area around it. The Benning Road-Minnesota Avenue intersection is one of the Districts most dangerous intersections. Despite the presence of natural resources such as Kingman Island, the Langston Golf Course, and Fort Mahan Park, the corridor remains pedestrian unfriendly, mostly due to the highway-like transportation architecture that seems to dominate this corridor and cuts it off from these natural assets.

Existing Context

H Street NE Benning Road

Figure A: H Street NE, west of Bladensburg Road, May 30, 1949 Figure B: Benning Road NE at Kingman Island, looking east

Figure C: Benning Road/Minnesota Avenue intersection

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DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

EXISTING TRANSPoRTATIoN ASSESSMENT

H Street and Benning Road, west of the Anacostia River, have had considerable transportation and engineering design changes implemented in the past -years. These roads are major commuter routes which provide direct access to the business core of the District and Union Station via Bladensburg Road and Kenilworth Avenue. They also serve as the connector routes from Anacostia and Capitol Heights to the downtown. Benning Road is dominated by residential density, with limited retail locations concentrated at Minnesota Avenue. The location that shows the highest potential for household employment interaction is the area bound by Benning Road, Minnesota Avenue, and East Capitol Street. Peak and off-peak congestion on Benning Road becomes progressively worse near the intersection at Minnesota Avenue. Daily traffic volumes range from 7,000 to 4,000 trips per day. The remainder of the corridor experiences moderate traffic congestion throughout the day. The H Street/Benning Road Corridor has been designated as a future streetcar corridor. West of Minnesota Avenue, Benning Road has been designed with streetcar tracks running in the median lanes. At the Starburst intersection, the streetcar will transition to a curb lane along H Street. The highest bus activity on the corridor is at the intersection of 8th and H Streets, with the majority of transit ridership starting and ending west of the Anacostia River. The highest transit activity focuses on Union Station. The corridor along Benning Road east of the Anacostia River exhibits moderate bus ridership. Parking along H Street has recently been modified so that lanes previously designated for no parking during rush hours have been reverted back to 4-hour parking. Benning Road east and west of the Anacostia River has limited parking locations. The corridor is not conducive to bicycle travel with most riders using parallel roads. Pedestrian safety is hindered by the lack of median refuge areas, with the highest concentrations of pedestrian crossings at 8th Street, the 6th Street Shopping Center Area, Minnesota Avenue, and East Capitol Street. A review of high accident locations during 00-004 identified 6 intersections with 0 or more accidents per year including the cross streets of: Minnesota Avenue (4) East Capitol Street (30) North Capitol Street (30) Oklahoma Avenue NE () Southern Avenue (0) All other intersections averaged less than 6 accidents per year.
Existing Context

7th Street NE (0)

Figure A: Existing Transportation Infrastructure Map

LEGEND Bike Lanes Metro Entry Point Bus Stops within 5 Minutes Walking Distance DC Zoning - Commercial Open Space

H Street NE Benning Road

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GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

oThER INITIATIvES AND MARKET PoTENTIALS

Several Transportation and Planning projects Will Impact the Corridor: H Street NE Corridor Transportation and Streetscape
Study
H Street NE Benning Road

Benning Road NE Streetscape A Working Vision for Downtown Ward 7 The Kenilworth Avenue Corridor Study The DC Alternatives Analysis The redesign of the Starburst intersection Most private sector development in the corridor is focused along H Street NE, especially near the Hopscotch Bridge. In the Ward 7 Downtown Area, the Minnesota-Benning Government Center (refer to the Minnesota Avenue Report) and the Parkside mixeduse development will re-shape the area significantly, bringing new jobs and patrons to the areas retail facilities. H Street-West Benning Road: This part of the corridor is currently characterized by underutilized

retail storefronts and vacant lots. However, the quality of these uses does not reflect the future market potential of this corridor as it is directly in the path of growth from several directions, particularly from the demand for improved retail and services originating from neighborhoods to the south and north, Class A office development around Union Station, and increased residential pressures heading east from the East End. Along the length of the corridor market conditions vary, and development will tend to occur within relatively distinct cores, or Investment Areas. A description of these Investment Areas is as follows: Union Station: The area from North Capitol to nd Street NE will be transformed into a high-density, mixeduse core over the near- and mid-terms consisting of:

H Street West: This area stretches from 3rd Street NE to 0th Street NE and is envisioned as a walkable, one-half mile long urban main street, with a mixture of residential uses, street-front retail, and local-serving offices. Approximately 50 residential units are under development in this corridor, representing a fraction of the likely demand over the mid- and near-terms The residential development on this corridor and in the surrounding neighborhoods will support, and be attracted by, revitalized existing retail comprised of restaurants, boutique and brand retailers, and entertainment uses. H Street East: This area stretches from 0th Street NE to the Starburst intersection. The Starburst intersection may be the location of new and/or improved conventional, neighborhoodserving retail and larger, community-serving box retail anchors.

Existing Context

4.5 million square feet of Class A office space

presently in the pipeline ,000 residential units are in the development pipeline, including the 474-unit Senator Square condominium development

Figure A: H Street Framework Plan

A
Bustling regional center of major transportation modes, Downtown-East End employment, and thriving national retailers/restaurants with H Street addresses. Architecturally distinctive, 4-to-8 story residential buildings within a mixedincome, walkable, transit-oriented community easily accessible to quality goods, services, and work opportunities. Inviting and unique neighborhood goods and services in a mix Eclectic restaurants, cafes, bookstores, galleries, artist workshops, of successfully preserved existing buildings and sensitively boutiques, live music, etc. centered around the successful H Street infilled new development. Playhouse and the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Vibrant mixed-income residential and regional retail development beyond more pedestrian-friendly crossings at the spider streets.

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DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The area between the Starburst intersection and 0th Street NE will see infill residential development, with retail playing a local-serving complimentary function. The presence of larger-scale retail options will anchor the urban main street retail experience. Benning Road West: This area between 7th Street NE and st Street NE is characterized by poor-quality, local-serving retail; large industrial and underutilized sites; and income-constrained neighborhoods. This area will eventually be an attractive location for infill residential and complimentary neighborhood-serving redevelopment, but will see limited development in the near- and mid-term. East Benning: This part of the corridor is characterized by older, multifamily projects, and the surrounding neighborhoods are generally income-constrained. There are some small pockets of retail, but the quality of the retail is poor and does not adequately serve the local neighborhood.
Figure A: Minnesota Avenue NE/Benning Road NE intersection, from A Working Vision for Downtown Ward 7, MHCDO and Washington Regional Network Figure B: Potential Private Sector Investment Plan

However, recent revitalization efforts in nearby and/or

The major constraint associated with mixed-income, residential redevelopment will be the gap between the cost of redevelopment and the prices and rents of low- and moderate-income housing. The volume of redevelopment activity in this corridor will be driven in great part by the availability of funding sources that can bridge this gap. The investment areas in this part

Southern Gateway: The southern end of the corridor has a small amount of local-serving retail and a concentration of older multifamily properties, but is generally surrounded by lower-density single-family homes. There will likely be an opportunity over time to redevelop or rehabilitate some of the multifamily housing stock and improve the quality of the small amount of existing retail in the area.

Benning-East Capitol Intersection Benning Road West H Street East Southern Gateway
LEGEND

H Street West

Union Station H Street-West Benning Road

Development Locations Enhanced Transit Stops within 5 Minutes Enhanced Transit Routes

East Benning

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Existing Context

Given these market conditions, there will be an opportunity to rehabilitate or redevelop some of the older multifamily buildings in the corridor into new and better quality housing. This will help improve the physical appearance of the corridor and attract a wider range of household incomes into the neighborhood. In turn, this will support a higher quality of local-serving retail, which is sorely lacking in the area.

The future market-driven character of the area will be a moderate-density residential location. This will leverage access to the nearby Benning Road Metrorail station and to better-located retail cores, particularly the Benning-Minnesota intersection several blocks to the northwest. This will mean the redevelopment of a number of existing retail uses, as well as redevelopment and rehabilitation of existing multifamily buildings. A small amount of complimentary local-serving retail and office space can also be fully supported over time.

H Street NE Benning Road

similar neighborhoods (including the Capitol Gateway HOPE VI development to the north of the corridor), have proven that, given decades of limited housing choices and affordable housing options in other parts of the region, there is a strong local and regional demand for higher quality, low- moderate, and middle-income housing in areas such as the East Benning Road Corridor.

of the corridor include the following: Benning-East Capitol Intersection: This area currently includes a mix of small-scale retail and multifamily retail of varying age and quality.

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

TRANSPoRTATIoN RECoMMENDATIoNS
Transportation recommendations have been developed for each corridor and are defined in three modal parts: pedestrian/bicycle, transit, and vehicular. Benning Road east of Minnesota Avenue will continue to be a heavy residential corridor that will experience modest growth over the next 30-years. Retail activity on this corridor will concentrate south of Benning Road along Minnesota Avenue. Travel conditions on the corridor during off-peak periods will remain good. Peak period conditions will exhibit moderate to heavy traffic with the intersection at Minnesota Avenue as the most congested on the corridor.

Right-of-Way Configuration: Sections A through D below show the options for the
right-of-way configurations. The corridor improvements consist of creating mixed traffic transit lane enhancements that reallocate the existing lane striping and curb extensions. The Benning Bridge widening project will redesign the Minnesota/Benning intersection to accommodate safe vehicular flow and the turning radius required by the streetcar as shown in sections A through C.

Pedestrian Facilities: High visibility crosswalks and wider center median

improvements are recommended for the major focus areas along the corridor. The Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road intersection will be redesigned to accommodate pedestrians with the new pedestrian sidewalks proposed along the Benning Bridge widening project. A secondary location is the 44th Street-Benning Road intersection where the vehicular traffic is currently unsafe for pedestrian crossings.

H Street NE Benning Road

The sections below show the Right-Of-Way options for the corridor. The corridor improvements consist of creating mixed traffic transit lane enhancements that reallocate the existing lane striping and curb extensions.

Recommendations

A Typical section through H Street NE

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DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Bicycle Facilities:
Bicycle lanes are only recommended for the portion of Benning Road east of Minnesota Avenue. Bicycle use west of this location would use parallel roadways, with the exception of the Anacostia River crossing that would require major design enhancements to accommodate bicycles. At the starburst intersection at Bladensburg Road/ Maryland Avenue, the streetcar would transition from the median on Benning Road to a curb lane along H Street. The intersection of Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue continues to exhibit the highest congestion levels as the location services high levels of vehicular and transit traffic. Improvements to this intersection should include accommodations for the Benning Bridge widening project. Buses traveling southbound on Minnesota Avenue block the intersection during stops and while turning to westbound Benning Road. Drivers frequently attempt to go around the bus by making a right turn onto Benning Road from the southbound central lane in front of the bus. The intersection at 44th Street also requires improvement so that southbound 44th Street traffic can merge onto southbound Benning Road. Traffic on Benning Road stacks up through the intersection, prohibiting the 44th Street traffic to merge.

DDOT Mass Transit Administration is currently

completing detailed streetcar forecasts that include streetcar options along Minnesota Avenue to Benning Road across the Anacostia River onto H Street.

Transit Facilities:
The WMATA Alternative Analysis indicated that there would be 9,00 daily boardings on H Street from Union Station to the start of Benning Road and 6,350 boardings on Benning Road to the Minnesota Avenue Metro.

Vehicle/Parking Facilities: Signal coordination and transit signal prioritization

should be reviewed and implemented. Section A will have off-peak parking lanes that transition to travel lanes during peak periods, creating three travel lanes in the peak direction and two travel lanes in the off-peak direction. Left-turn median pockets along the wider median from the starburst intersection to Oklahoma Avenue.

H Street/Benning Road has been designated as a

future streetcar corridor. West of the Anacostia River, Benning Road has been designed with streetcar tracks running along the median of the roadway.

Figure A: Transportation Recommendation Map

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Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

h STREET NE SEGMENT
Extent: North Capitol Street to 14th Street NE
H Street NE Benning Road

This .5-mile long segment is fronted by retail and mixed-use facilities and is surrounded by dense residential neighborhoods. It lies in close proximity to Union Station and the Districts downtown. This corridor will be served by streetcar with stops located on sidewalk extensions. The street will have a hard-paved feel to it with well-furnished sidewalks, adequate street lighting, and public art in the form of sidewalk insets that make cartographic references to the neighborhoods around it. Public art at the top of Hopscotch Bridge highlights the proximity of downtown Washington, D.C. to the west. Air rights developments over the railway tracks will significantly change the public environment along the bridge. Currently, construction documents are being prepared for the corridor and construction will begin shortly.

Before (see below): H Street NE and 8th Street NE After (facing page): Sidewalk extensions, enhanced crosswalks, and transit facilities make this intersection a safe, pleasing environment for pedestrians and ensures multi-modal transportation choices.

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Recommendations

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

B-3

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

STARBuRST SEGMENT
Extent: 14th Street NE to 16th Street NE
H Street NE Benning Road

The starburst intersection, so called because five major streets intersect here, is the eastern anchor of the H Street NE Corridor and provides a transition to Benning Road. This intersection will be redesigned as a plaza for use by neighboring residents. Public art in the form of a water-wall, with softscape areas, custom designed lighting, trees, and other landscape features will create a focal place here. Currently, construction documents are being prepared for the plaza.

Before (see below): Starburst Intersection After (facing page): Re-configured roadways, a plaza, and pedestrian facilities such as improved streetlighting and seating create an accessible neighborhood gathering place for the surrounding communities.

B-4

Recommendations

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

B-5

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

GREEN BouLEvARD SEGMENT

Extent: 16th Street NE to Oklahoma Avenue NE
In general, Benning Road NE from 6th Street to Oklahoma Avenue NE is envisioned as a broad green boulevard with a planted median and eventual streetcar service. The streetscape is designed to highlight and support the neighborhood-serving retail node located between 9th and st Streets NE. It will offer a graceful green transition to Anacostia Park and the waterfront on its eastern end and a more urban hardscape as it joins to the Starburst Plaza and H Street NE retail corridor on its western end. The typical section of Benning Road NE consists of three lanes in each direction with a center median. The curb lane is available as a parking lane in offpeak hours. The median alternates between wide planted areas, narrow perviously paved median areas, and left-turn pockets. In general, streetlights, signals, and all furnishings are accommodated only on the sidewalk; however, the median should accommodate infrastructure for a center-running streetcar alignment as well with lights only as needed. Sidewalks should create an attractive environment and require minimal maintenance of pavement or plantings. Streetlights are a combination of decorative teardrop and Washington Globe. Street trees provide an arching canopy to reduce the perception of scale of the street and assist in calming traffic. Pedestrian crosswalks are highly visible and help to highlight central neighborhood retail nodes. Paving materials, streetlights, and other street furnishings and fixtures, particularly in the retail node, should be consistent with the typical palette and standards established in the H Street NE streetscape design. Currently, construction documents are being prepared for the segment.
H Street NE Benning Road

Before (see below): Benning Road NE and 19th Street NE After (facing page): Enhanced transit services, street lighting, a planted median, and well furnished sidewalks transorm this major roadway into a multi-modal green boulevard.

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Recommendations

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

B-7

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

MINNESoTA - BENNING SEGMENT

Extent: Anacostia Avenue NE to 42nd Street NE
H Street NE Benning Road

Three major areas define this segment - the Bridge over Kenilworth Avenue, the intersection of Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue, and Fort Mahan Park. The pedestrian facilities on the bridge will be improved based on the recommendations of the Kenilworth Avenue Corridor Study. Landscape elements will soften the appearance of the bridge and provide places to sit and enjoy views of the waterfront. At the base of the bridge, free-standing sculpture, improved lighting, and signage will announce the transition to Ward 7s Downtown. At the intersection of Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue the sidewalks will be furnished with benches and bike racks. Adequate streetlighting and street trees will create a pleasing environment for shoppers and other pedestrians. Curb cuts will be minimized and utility poles along Minnesota Avenue, near the intersection, will be buried. Public art, in the form of insets in the sidewalk paving, interpretive signage, and, streetsign attachments will recall the rich cultural history of the area. Way-finding signage, which points to places such as the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station, Fort Mahan Park, the pubic library and the Friendship Edison Academy will make navigating the street easier for pedestrians. As one moves away from the intersection toward Fort Mahan Park dense tree canopies, streetlighting, and interpretive signage will compliment the parks natural setting. Streetscape elements should be developed from the streetscape elements in Enhanced Areas section.

Before (see below): Minnesota Avenue NE and Benning Road NE After (facing page): New private sector developments, coupled with substantial improvements in street infrastructure geared to multi-modal transportation and a pedestrian-friendly environment create a center for Downtown Ward 7.

Note: Further study recommended for ROW allocation

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Recommendations

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

B-9

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

EAST CAPIToL SEGMENT

Extent: 43rd Road NE to B Street SE
This Segment is centered between the Benning Road Metro Station and the East Capitol Street intersection. New infill development, such as the Benning Road Office Building and the Chaplin Woods development, near the East Capitol Street Intersection will bring vitality to this segment. The streetscape at the intersection is upgraded with pedestrian oriented streetlighting, adequate tree cover and, other landscape features. These will soften the intersections current hard-paved feel, so that the segment becomes more consistent with the corridors green boulevard appearance,between 6th Street NE and Oklahoma Avenue. A free standing sculpture,at the East Capitol intersection highlights LEnfant Avenue and serves to visually constrict the width of this intersection. Signage and enhanced crosswalks make this intersection easier to use for pedestrians. The rest of the streetscape in this segment is enhanced with streetlighting and trees to create a pleasing pedestrian environment. Streetscape elements should be developed from the streetscape elements in Enhanced Areas section.
Note: Further study recommended for ROW allocation

Before (see below): East Capitol Street and Benning Road NE After (facing page): Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks, streetlighting, and public art serve to create an active node at this transit hub.

B-0

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

B-

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

BENNING RIDGE
Extent: 46th Street SE to G Street SE
The neighborhood retail area between 46th Street SE and G Street SE serves nearby residents of the Benning Heights, Benning Ridge, and Marshall Heights communities. Between B Street SE and Woodlawn Cemetery Street the corridor offers access to Fort Chapin Park via C Street SE. From H Street SE to Southern Avenue, the Corridor offers neighborhood retail services before it transitions to the Maryland border. Streetlighting will illuminate the roadway and the sidewalk in front of the retail facilities while new trees and other landscape features define the street edge. The furnishing zone is paved with pervious unit pavers and the sidewalks are re-paved. Additional lighting and enhanced crosswalks at the intersections of 46th Street and G Street (classified as a Dangerous Intersection) facilitate easier pedestrian crossings. A gateway element at Southern Avenue highlights the border between the District and Maryland, while improved way-finding signage near C Street SE makes access to Fort Chapin Park easier. Streetscape elements should be developed from the streetscape elements in Enhanced Areas section.
H Street NE Benning Road
Before (see below): 46th Street SE and Benning Road SE After (facing page): Enhanced sidewalk furnishings including improved street lighting along with new retail facilities create a space for members of the surrounding communities to come to.

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Recommendations

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

B-3

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

STREETSCAPE TREATMENT

TYPICAL

H Street NE Benning Road Recommendations

These guidelines are written with careful consideration of the ongoing efforts of the city and private developers in the area. The goal is to build upon them and integrate efforts for maximum and successful results. The streetscape materials and furnishing recommendations, should be used as the building blocks to create a unique public environment in conformance with existing District standards. The streetscape typology emphasizes commercial segments at neighborhood, community, and regional levels which will be treated with the streetscape elements for Enhanced Areas. The street environment along park residential areas will be treated in accordance with the Typical streetscape elements. These elements should be used in residential, minor retail, and park areas. Where Historic District designation applies, these standards will be superseded by the Districts Historic District standards.

AERATION STRIP/ROOT CHANNEL

PrivateWidth varies

Sidewalk- width varies

Walkway Zone Minimum 40 Paving (a1) DC mix buff colored concrete or exposed aggregate concrete Furnishing/ Planting Zone Minimum 40 Paving (b1) Pervious unit pavers/grass planting strips as possible Streetlight (b2) #6 (mid-block) Teardrop Pendant (intersections) Furnishings (b3) Trash bin

Roadway - number of lanes varies

b2

b4

Paving Designated parking lane Unit pavers (c1) Crosswalk Thermo plastic piano striping (c2)

Furnishings (a2) Access cover

B-4

b1

a1

c3

c1

c2

Landscaping (b4)) Red maple Understory planting Mulch Contiguous tree root zone

Curb & Gutter (c3) Granite curb Brick gutter Median treatment Curb cuts & driveways - concrete ramps, contiguous sidewalk finish ADA ramps - concrete ramps with truncated dome unit pavers Streetlight - teardrop pendant

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

ENhANCED

a1

a1

Roadway - number of lanes varies

Sidewalk- width varies

Furnishing/ Planting Zone Minimum 40 Walkway Zone Minimum 40 Paving (a1) Standard buff colored concrete or exposed aggregate concrete Brick (at historic areas) Spill-Zone (optional) Paving (d1) To match the Walkway Zone

b2

b3

Paving (c1) Designated parking lane - unit pavers Crosswalk - stamped concrete

Paving (b1) Unit paver to match sidewalk color Streetlight (b2) #6 or Double Teardrop(mid-block) Teardrop (intersections) Furnishings (b3) Seating Standard trash bins Bike rack Bus shelters

Pedestrian & Traffic Safety (c2) Sidewalk extension (when feasible) Bus shelter

Furnishings (a2) Access cover insets

Furnishings (d2) Seating & planter boxes provided by businesses

Curb & Gutter (c3) Granite curb Brick gutter Curb cuts & driveways - concrete ramps, Median treatment Contiguous sidewalk finish ADA Ramps - Granite ramps with truncated dome unit pavers Streetlights - teardrop pendant

Landscaping (b4) London plane tree/ Village green zelkova/ Japanese tree lilac planting Planter edging Maintain contiguous tree root zone Signage (b5) Custom design street sign attachments

c3

c1

B-5

Recommendations

H Street NE Benning Road

GREAT STREETS FRAMEWORK PLAN

ACTIoN PLAN
2005 2006 J J 2007 J J 2008+ A S O N D Budget $20.7mill

H Street NE Benning Road

H Street NE Starburst Plaza

Actions Planned to Date

1 2

3 4

$738K ($800K fed)

$20mill

5 6

($663K fed)

$2.1mill

$2.1mill $1mill (11.3 mill fed)

Benning West Benning Bridge

8 9

$135K

$1.13mill

10

$200K

$500K

$700K

Recommendations

Benning Downtown

11 13 12

$700K (10mill fed) $200K

$700K

Benning East Cap

14 15

$3mill

$3.2mill

Benning Southern

14 15

$100K

$1mill

$1.1mill

Early Improvements

$400K $30mill $52.8mill

Early Improvements Design Construction

Total (Great Streets) Total (Resources)

B-6

DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Actions Planned to Date

1

Action: Hopscotch Improvement

Bridge

Streetscape

Action: H Street NE Streetscape Design Description: Engineering design for street improvements of H Street NE from 3rd to 4th Streets NE. Concept design = H Street Transportation and Streetscape study. Great Streets Funding: $700K Related Projects: REVIVAL: H Street Plan, Streetcar design, starburst design

Action: H Street NE Streetscape Construction Description: Construction of improvements from 3rd to 4th Street NE on H Street NE. Great Streets Budget: $8 million Related Projects: Streetcar project, starburst project

Action: Streetscape Construction Coordination Description: Develop unified construction plan and management to coordinate with local merchants, property owners, utilities, and other stakeholders to minimize disruption to business cost. Great Streets Funding: Included in construction Related Projects: Benning projects Road, starburst

Great Streets Funding: $ million

Action: Starburst Intersection Design Description: Reconfiguration of intersection, modification of roadways, landscape design of plaza. Related Projects: Benning Road, H Street NE Streetcar

Action: Starburst Intersection Public Art Design, Fabrication, Installation Description: Design, fabrication and installation of signature public art piece commissioned by DCCAH ($00K) and developed with the community. Other Funding: $00K (DCCAH)

Action: Starburst Intersection Construction Description: Reconfiguration of intersection, modification of roadways, construction and landscaping of plaza. Other Funding: $. million Related Projects: Benning Road, H Street NE Streetcar

Action: Benning Road West Design Description: Street reconstruction of all elements. Great Streets enhancements added to completed design. Great Streets Funding: $35K Related Projects: Starburst project, streetcar

Action: Benning Road West Construction Description: Street reconstruction of all elements. Great Streets enhancements added to completed design. Great Streets Funding: $million Other Funding: $ million Fed Aid Related Projects: Starburst project, Streetcar

10 Action: Benning Road Bridge Enhancements

11 Action: Benning Downtown Design

12 Action: Benning Downtown Construction

Description: Bridge recently reconstructed however the design is overly stark, promotes speeding, does not respond to waterfront gateway. Low-cost, no structural impact improvements needed. Great Streets Funding: $500K Related Projects: Streetcar

Description: Street reconstruction designed to 90% level prior to announcement of Great Streets. Refinement made to improve streetscape elements and respond to community. Other Streets Funding: $300+K Related Projects: Streetcar

Description: Street reconstruction designed to 90% level prior to announcement of Great Streets. Refinement made to improve streetscape elements and respond to community. Great Street Funding: $400 K Other Funding: $0 million Fed Aid Related Projects: Minnesota Avenue streetscape, streetcar

13 Action:

Kenilworth Improvements

Avenue

Overpass

14 Action: Benning Road SE Design

15 Action: Benning Road SE Improvements

Description: Safety, pedestrian, transit, and aesthetic improvements to bridge.

Description: Study of and design for improvements to east end of Benning Road including safety improvements for Benning and East Capitol intersection. Great Streets Funding: $300K

Description: Implementation of proposed improvements for the east end of Benning Road including Benning and East Capitol intersection. Great Streets Funding: $4 million B-7

H Street NE Benning Road

Description: Improve the pedestrian environment on Hopscotch Bridge in coordination with bridge maintenance and private property investments.

ACKNoWLEDGEMENTS
CoMMITTEE ADvISoRY TEAM CoRE GRouP CoNSuLTANTS

Adam Maier: Office of Councilmember Schwartz James Slattery: Office of Councilmember Schwartz Velda Bell: Office of Councilmember Barry Dawn Slonneger: Office of Councilmember Gray Rhonda Young: Office of Councilmember Gray Skip Coburn: Office of Councilmember Ambrose Dee Smith: Office of Councilmember Orange Denise Johnson: National Trust for Historic Preservation Dominic Moulden: Manna, CDC Betty Newell: East Central Civic Association Alexander Padro: Shaw Main Street/ANC C Paul Ruppert: Mt. Vernon Square Business Association Armond Spikell: Roadside Development Leroy Thorpe: ANC-C, Chair Maybelle Bennett: Howard University Sinclair Skinner: Lower Georgia Avenue Business Development Corp Myla Moss: ANCB-0/LeDeroit Park Civic Assoc. Ali Muhammad: ANC A-Economic Dev David Jannarone: Petworth Action Committee Andrew McGilvray: United Neighborhood Coalition Garrett Pressick: North Columbia Heights Civic Association Timothy Jones: ANC4C08 Jourdinia Brown: ANC 4A, Chair Tony Giancola: Gateway Coalition, Inc Marc Loud: Gateway Georiga Avenue Revitalization Corporation Artie Milligan: Georgia Avenue Gateway Daniel Pernell: ANC 6C04, Commissioner Cody Rice: ANC 6A, Commissioner Anwar Saleem: Chairperson, H Street Main Street Brenda Artis: Miner Elementary School Kathy Henderson: 5B0, Commissioner Gladys Mack: ANC 6A, Commissioner Bill Myers: 5B, Commissioner Frazier Walton: Kingman Park Neighborhood Association

Johnny Gaither: River Terrace Community Organization Adrian Hasty: 7D04, Commissioner Dorothy Douglass: 7D Chair, Commissioner Cheryl Cort: Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities Graylin Presbury: Fairlawn Citizens Association Carrie Thornhill: Marshall Heights Community Development Organization Carl Cole: Anacostia Waterfront Corporation Board Diane Fleming: Anacostia Garden Club Butch Hopkins: Anacostia Economic Development Corporation Raymond Keith: ANC 7B, Chair Phillip Panell: Anacostia Coordinating Council Yavocka Young: Main Street Anacostia Al Williams: Ward 8 Business Association Vera Abbott: Bellevue Neighborhood Civic Association Sandra Seegars: ANC 8E Ian Tyndall: Washington Parks and People Robin Marlin: 7B, Commissioner Yvonne Moore: Pennsylvania Avenue Task Force Harriette Hartmann: Small Business (East of the River Travel) Richard Hawkins: Penn Branch Civic Association Barbara Morgan: Pennsylvania Avenue Task Force Vincent Spaulding: 7B04, Commissioner Akili Cooper: Fort Davis Civic Association Maurice Perry: Hillcrest Civic Association/EOR CDC Louise Brodnitz: Walter Reed Army Medical Center Paul Savage: Pennsylvania Avenue Task Force Skip Coburn: Office of Councilmember Ambrose Wendy Rahim: Office of Councilmember Evans Ronald Austin: Office of Councilmember Fenty Kimberley Johnson: Office of Councilmember Graham

Karina Ricks: District Department of Transportation Great Streets Program Manager Derrick Woody: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Coordinator, Great Streets Initiative Rosalynn Taylor: Office of Planning Associate Director for Neighborhood Planning Drew Becher: Office of Planning Deputy Director Tara Jones: Interim Director Office of Neighborhood Services John Deatrick: District Department of Transportation, IPMADeputy Director, IPMA Chief Engineer Kathleen Penney: District Department of Transportation, IPMADeputy City Engineer Douglas E. Noble: District Department of Transportation, TSA Associate Director, District Traffic Engineer

Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects Lead, Urban Design and Public Realm Howard Decker, FAIA, Project Director Matthew Bell, AIA, Principal-in-Charge Kiran Mathema, Project Manager Prashant Salvi, Urban Designer/ Planner Liang Liang, Urban Designer/ Planner Samar Maqusi, Urban Designer/ Planner Abbie Cronin, Urban Designer Henry Asri, Urban Designer
Michael Baker Jr., Inc. Transportation and Traffic Victor Siaurusaitis, Principal Tony Hofmann, Project Manager Feng Liu, Technical Manager Derek Miura, Planner Rajan Paradkar, Web Site Designer Jianyun Li, Computer Programmer Mark Makin, CADD Technician Kim Leduc, Content Coordinator Robert Charles Lesser Market Analysis Len Bogorad, Managing Director Marc McCauley, Vice President Peter McLaughlin, Senior Associate Michelle Loutoo, Associate Timothy Wells, Illustrator

CONTACT Karina Ricks, AICP Great Streets Program Manager District Department of Transportation Karina.Ricks@dc.gov (202) 671-2542