(Washington, DC) This month the DC Office of Planning will launch an innovative planning process in the Bellevue neighborhood of Ward 8 in order to create a Small Area Plan and a Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF) Plan. Both plans are aimed at enhancing the existing neighborhood by shaping development and directing public and private resources. The Small Area Plan will result in a land use strategy for Bellevue, while the NIF Plan will be designed to guide investments in Bellevue from the Neighborhood Investment Fund, which provides grant resources to community based organizations for neighborhood revitalization.

This joint planning process will provide an opportunity to simultaneously develop strategies to address physical elements such as land use, zoning, and urban design and socio-economic issues such as job training, public health and safety, and youth program enhancement. Through the Small Area Plan and the NIF Plan processes, residents, merchants, and other stakeholders have the opportunity to shape a holistic vision to improve the quality of life in Bellevue.

The study area for the plans is defined as the area bounded by Southern Avenue, SW, on the south, First Street, SE, on the east, Halley Street, SE, on the north, and Second Street, SW, on the west.  

OP will hold several public meetings to review and discuss both plans in greater detail.  The first public meeting will be held:

February 11, 2009
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Public Kick-Off meeting (Small Area Plan and Neighborhood Investment Fund)
P.R. Harris Educational Center
4600 Livingston Road, SE
Washington, DC

For more information please contact Evelyn Kasongo, Ward 8 Planner, (202) 442-7600 or via email at [email protected].