RSS FeedOffice Of Planning Redefines "Downtown" – Wants More Air-rights Development
A Washington Business Journal article notes that the District’s Office of Planning is in the midst of redefining Downtown DC. They even have a new name for it: Center City. The new Center City definition includes the North of Massachusetts Avenue area (NoMa) as well as the Southeast and Southwest waterfronts. Getting crowded, isn’t it?
We surfed over to the Office of Planning website and found the official Center City Action Agenda. One of the most interesting plans for the next few years is to encourage air-rights development over highways. We all know that 395 cuts the newly defined downtown in half. It would be interesting if more projects like the Burnham Place at Union Station would take shape over the 395 highway!
Image courtesy Akridge
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Comments
I am not sure I understand the benefits of the Center City name (which is too similar to Philadelphia’s Center City). Is this an effort to reduce the identity of local neighborhoods? Seems like eliminating neighborhoods means it will be harder to pay attention to the details? Or, does this mean it is easier to have a comprehensive plan to improve all of the neighborhoods, and eliminate local backbiting? I’d love to heart more from the local planning experts as to the benefits.
As generic as “Center City” is, I’ll take it over the usual real-estate agent nonsense like ENoCa (for East of North Capitol Street), or SoNewYo, or NoCaHi, or whatever nonsense they’re cooking up this week.
Then need a name that sparks the imagination. Since it’s over the rail lines, it should be something like Tracktown, or Railville, or Hobojungleboogieland. Or Extremely Little Italy.
The rights over a portion of the Center Leg Freeway (I-395 North), across from Georgetown Law, was awarded to a developer named Conrad Monts (not sure of the spelling) back in the late 80’s by the Barry administration. Nothing happened and the District sued to get it back. Not sure what the status is now.
Chris
conrad monts? isn’t he the man who renovated the wilson building and the district gov’t had to buy back the lease? correct me if i have it mixed up.
Google Conrad Monts. There are some very interesting articles from the biz journal and DC Watch. If he hasn’t developed the air rights yet, it’s hard to imagine he’s going to do so anytime soon. It’s not like the real estate market is improving.
I am interested to read people’s opinions about why they think is a good idea, a bad idea, or not enough information provided to make a judgement. Thanks! I have just read through the Center City Action Agenda 2007 documents, and I see this as a continuation of the Downtown Action Agenda, which met most of its goals in previous years. I would like to see more information about how they plan to distinguish neighbourhoods in Center City. Many people are under the impression that this will diminish individual neighbourhood identity within downtown. But I already see identity theft and mistaken identity in areas such as Chinatown, Penn Quarter, and Gallery Place. There is no consensus on the boundaries!
the sooner downtown becomes more like disneyland the better it will be for everybody. it’s a fabulous idea.
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Naming the most dense area of DC as “Center City”, and its planning as one contiguous area, is a very smart approach on the part of DC officials. It also intrigues me that there will be clearly defined neighbourhoods within the “Center City”. Neighourhoods would no longer be morphed into “Downtown” as development spreads. This Center City approach accounts for future growth! Way to go DC Office of Planning! I am also hoping that we get more clearly defined neighbourhoods and updated boundaries out of this deal in the near future, especially in the many emerging and transitioning neighbourhoods.