From Jim
Neighbors,
Mayor Anthony Williams is holding a public hearing this evening, Thursday, September 28, 2006, regarding the NoMa Draft Plan. In brief, the plan has six broad principles. First, in the area of “Land Use Mix,” the plan seeks to provide a diverse mix of uses that creates a variety of options for living, working, shopping, recreation and culture. In the area of “Transportation and Infrastructure,” the plan seeks to pursue a balance approach to transportation, creating a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with improved transit accessibility and vehicular circulation. With regard to “Public Realm and Open Space,” the plan seeks to create a vibrant, highly walkable environment with landscaped streets and attractive open spaces, active ground floors and pedestrian links. Concerning the matter of “Identity and Building Design,” the plan seeks to design a new standard of architecture and urban design to create a lasting, competitive identity. With respect to the issue of “Existing Neighborhoods,” the plan seeks to preserve and enhance rowhouse neighborhoods and guide new development to address unmet community needs. Finally, in terms of “Environment and Sustainability,” the plan seeks to address sustainability with high performance design and environmentally-friendly planning, design and construction.
If your busy schedule permits, you may be interested in hearing the details concerning the plan in connection with the above topic areas. In short, we are talking about a huge amount of development activity that will take a decade or more to accomplish, in my opinion. Upon completion, however, this development activity will have such a major impact upon our area that those who have been away from the city for a while may not recognize the area — much like the radical change that has taken place in our downtown core.
For your information and future reference, the NoMa Draft Plan is posted online at www.planning.dc.gov.
Best,
Jim Berry
ANC 5C
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.