NCPC - National Capital Planning Commission
10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 14:42
NCPC Provides Feedback on Fallen Journalists Memorial Concept Plans
At its At its October 3, 2024 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) provided comments on concept plans for the Fallen Journalists Memorial submitted by the National Park Service in collaboration with the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation. The proposed memorial would be located on a 0.3-acre triangular park at the intersection of Independence Avenue, Maryland Avenue, and 3rd Street, SW. The design consists of a hardscape stone plaza with a grove of trees and an array of cast glass elements. It would have three outdoor areas: Remembrance Hall, the press room, and a classroom.
Commissioners supported the design approach, which includes the unique use of glass in a memorial not previously done, but raised questions about the durability of the glass elements and how they would be maintained and cleaned. They also suggested that a material sample would be helpful to see at the next stage of review.
Even though the memorial would have trees, Commissioners thought that the fully paved surface may make the memorial hot for visitors, especially in the summer. They recommended that the applicant look at ways to reduce this potential island heat effect. They also recommended that the applicant refine access and circulation by creating clear paths of movement to help guide visitors through the memorial.
The Commission also provided comments on concept plans submitted by the National Park Service for New National Mall Comfort Stations. The proposed plans would be a guide for 12 new comfort stations and three replacement stations on the National Mall. Each station would offer amenities including bathrooms and food and refreshment services. They would be placed near existing structures and/or in locations that would limit their visibility from the National Mall's historic features. While this concept plan examined four case study locations (Lincoln Memorial South, Constitution Gardens West, East Mall 4, and Ash Woods) the exact size, layout, materials, and details for each station location will be determined in the future as projects are implemented.
The Commission supported the project's goals to address the deficiency of available, accessible, clean, and safe comfort stations on the National Mall. Most Commissioners thought that the proposed station materials, which draw from the context of existing park and visitor services buildings and would utilize accent materials inspired by the existing National Mall kiosks, are appropriate.
The Commission approved final site and building plans submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for replacement of a Veterinary Treatment Facility at Fort Belvoir. The new 22,000 square foot facility would replace an existing 6,300 square foot one.
NCPC also approved final site and building plans submitted by the District of Columbia Department of General Services for a two-story, approximately 17,000 square foot addition to the Leckie Education Campus in Southwest Washington.
Before adjourning, NCPC staff provided an update on the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, a joint federal-District effort to revitalize the 1.2 mile stretch of the Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol and transform it into an inspiring public space destination. On behalf of the Pennsylvania Avenue Partnership, staff announced the selection of DAVID RUBIN Land Collective to lead design of the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan in collaboration with HR&A Advisors, which was announced earlier this year and is leading the Implementation Program.
The New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan will guide the redesign and management of this iconic street into an exceptional and dynamic destination with an elevated local and national role. The partners envision an inclusive public space that is welcoming, beautiful, and fulfills the Avenue's potential as a venue for extraordinary experiences that showcase our heritage and aspirations for the future-a place to unite, celebrate, and tell our nation's stories. The partnership comprises the U.S. General Services Administration, National Park Service, District of Columbia Government, Events DC, DowntownDC Business Improvement District, and NCPC.
Commission actions and related materials are available online.
The Commission approved two items on the Consent Calendar (no presentations were made). Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Prowler Antenna Facility, 370 Brookley Avenue, SW. (8557)
2. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Four Corners Temporary Fence, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. (8585)
The Executive Director approved two items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Final site and building plans for the U.S. National Arboretum Elevated Canopy Trail, 3501 New York Avenue, NE. (8538)
2. Preliminary and final building plans for the United States Department of Agriculture South Building Extenet-Verizon Antenna Array Modification, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. (8580)
Commissioners supported the design approach, which includes the unique use of glass in a memorial not previously done, but raised questions about the durability of the glass elements and how they would be maintained and cleaned. They also suggested that a material sample would be helpful to see at the next stage of review.
Even though the memorial would have trees, Commissioners thought that the fully paved surface may make the memorial hot for visitors, especially in the summer. They recommended that the applicant look at ways to reduce this potential island heat effect. They also recommended that the applicant refine access and circulation by creating clear paths of movement to help guide visitors through the memorial.
The Commission also provided comments on concept plans submitted by the National Park Service for New National Mall Comfort Stations. The proposed plans would be a guide for 12 new comfort stations and three replacement stations on the National Mall. Each station would offer amenities including bathrooms and food and refreshment services. They would be placed near existing structures and/or in locations that would limit their visibility from the National Mall's historic features. While this concept plan examined four case study locations (Lincoln Memorial South, Constitution Gardens West, East Mall 4, and Ash Woods) the exact size, layout, materials, and details for each station location will be determined in the future as projects are implemented.
The Commission supported the project's goals to address the deficiency of available, accessible, clean, and safe comfort stations on the National Mall. Most Commissioners thought that the proposed station materials, which draw from the context of existing park and visitor services buildings and would utilize accent materials inspired by the existing National Mall kiosks, are appropriate.
The Commission approved final site and building plans submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for replacement of a Veterinary Treatment Facility at Fort Belvoir. The new 22,000 square foot facility would replace an existing 6,300 square foot one.
NCPC also approved final site and building plans submitted by the District of Columbia Department of General Services for a two-story, approximately 17,000 square foot addition to the Leckie Education Campus in Southwest Washington.
Before adjourning, NCPC staff provided an update on the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, a joint federal-District effort to revitalize the 1.2 mile stretch of the Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol and transform it into an inspiring public space destination. On behalf of the Pennsylvania Avenue Partnership, staff announced the selection of DAVID RUBIN Land Collective to lead design of the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan in collaboration with HR&A Advisors, which was announced earlier this year and is leading the Implementation Program.
The New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan will guide the redesign and management of this iconic street into an exceptional and dynamic destination with an elevated local and national role. The partners envision an inclusive public space that is welcoming, beautiful, and fulfills the Avenue's potential as a venue for extraordinary experiences that showcase our heritage and aspirations for the future-a place to unite, celebrate, and tell our nation's stories. The partnership comprises the U.S. General Services Administration, National Park Service, District of Columbia Government, Events DC, DowntownDC Business Improvement District, and NCPC.
Commission actions and related materials are available online.
The Commission approved two items on the Consent Calendar (no presentations were made). Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Prowler Antenna Facility, 370 Brookley Avenue, SW. (8557)
2. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Four Corners Temporary Fence, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. (8585)
The Executive Director approved two items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.
1. Final site and building plans for the U.S. National Arboretum Elevated Canopy Trail, 3501 New York Avenue, NE. (8538)
2. Preliminary and final building plans for the United States Department of Agriculture South Building Extenet-Verizon Antenna Array Modification, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. (8580)