The Mid City East Small Area Plan provides a strategic framework for revitalization of Bates/Truxton Circle, Bloomingdale, Eckington, Hanover, LeDroit Park, and Sursum Corda, as well as sections of Edgewood and Stronghold. The study area is predominantly in Wards 5 and 6 with a portion in Ward 1 and is traversed by five major corridors: North Capitol Street, New York Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue, New Jersey Avenue, and Florida Avenue. The vision for the Mid City East Small Area Plan is to improve quality of life and enhance neighborhood amenities and character while supporting a community of culturally, economically and generationally diverse residents.
The Mid City East Small Area Plan is the product of intense collaboration with community stakeholders and District government agencies. The Draft Plan was published on July 7, 2014 and the official 30-day public comment period was extended through September 2, 2014, during which period a Mayor’s hearing was held on July 29, 2014.
The Small Area Plan was also informed by technical analyses including an Existing Conditions analysis, a Historic and Cultural Resources report, and a Market Study. The plan also incorporates recommendations from the District Department of Transportation’s Mid City East Livability Study, which was conducted in collaboration with the Office of Planning (OP) and was completed in October 2013.
The Draft Plan conveys a shared vision, records the guiding principles that were developed through the community-based planning process, and includes key recommendations for neighborhood character, commercial revitalization, redevelopment, public realm, parks/green space and connectivity. It includes an implementation strategy to serve as a roadmap for implementing plan recommendations including projected timeframe and responsible entity. The Draft Plan provides residents, land owners, developers, city officials and District agencies with a framework to guide future development in the study area.
Taking public comments into consideration, DCOP has made its final recommendations on the project to the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Mayor has submitted to the DC Council for consideration a Final Draft Plan. The Council Committee of the Whole held a Public Roundtable on the Small Area Plan Approval Resolution on November 5, 2014. The public record is open until November 17, 2014. If you wish to submit written testimony, please contact Jessica Jacobs, Legislative Counsel at (202) 724-8196 or [email protected].
Additionally, The DC Office of Planning worked with resident Bryan Hayes to incorporate storytelling in the planning process. The final video that highlights plan area residents telling their story can be viewed at the link below: