D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A1511
At one time, the mile-long stretch of H Street between Union Station and the "starburst" intersection at Bladensburg and Benning Roads was the second busiest commercial area in the District of Columbia. The area declined during the 1950s and 1960s and was heavily damaged by the riots of 1968. An Urban Renewal Plan sparked some reinvestment on the corridor in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Hechinger Mall development on the eastern end, but the strip has yet to fully recover. H Street's retail space has not kept up with the rapidly expanding buying power of the surrounding neighborhoods, or the burgeoning office market north and east of Union Station. 1511.1
In 2003, the Office of Planning completed a Small Area Plan for the H Street corridor, designed to guide community, private sector, and public agency action and investments. The Plan lays out a vision for H Street as a great neighborhood shopping street, serving resident needs, providing connections to the larger city, and improving the livability of the surrounding community. The Plan segmented the corridor into four parts, each with a unique identity and character (see Policy CH-2.1.1 below). The potential for over 750 units of new housing, 200,000 square feet of new office space, and 300,000 square feet of retail space was identified. However, these projections may have been low; just two years after the Plan's completion, there were already 450 units of housing under construction on the 200 block of H Street (the former Children's Museum site), and another 300 units proposed across the street. 1511.2
Land use recommendations in the H Street Plan were accompanied by transportation recommendations, some of which are already being implemented. A transitway will be developed along the corridor, with streetcars sharing the right-of-way with vehicles. The streetcar line will connect Union Station to Minnesota Avenue, providing a "loop" between Metro's Red Line and Orange Line and increasing transit access for Northeast Capitol Hill residents. The 2003 Plan also recommended the retention of on-street parking and development of new off-street parking structures. 1511.3
Extensive streetscape, signage, and façade improvements also are planned, including new pedestrian crossings and a civic plaza at the eastern gateway near Hechinger Mall. The H Street Plan also calls for increased code enforcement, the use of preservation tax credits, new incentive and assistance programs, and the creation of a Business Improvement District (or incorporation of H Street into the Capitol Hill BID). 1511.4
East of H Street, the Benning Road (between 15th Street and Oklahoma Avenue) corridor includes a mix of residential uses and auto-oriented commercial uses. The character of the street changes considerably, with higher traffic volumes, a wider right-of-way, and a much less pedestrian-oriented atmosphere. The proposed construction of the H Street-Benning streetcar, along with accompanying "Great Street" improvements such as new street trees and lighting, will create opportunities for revitalization and new businesses along Benning Road. This will provide a needed amenity for the adjoining Rosedale and Kingman Park neighborhoods, which currently lack convenient retail services. 1511.5
Policy CH-2.1.1: H Street Revitalization
Support the revitalization of the H Street corridor between North Capitol Street and 17th Street NE in a manner that is consistent with the approved 2003 H Street Strategic Development Plan. This Plan recommended the development of four thematic areas along the H Street corridor:
Policy CH-2.1.2: Clustering of Retail
Recognize that the existing supply of retail space on the H Street NE corridor may exceed demand, and that retail development should therefore be clustered on the 700-1100 blocks. 1511.7
Policy CH-2.1.3: Physical Improvements
Improve the infrastructure and physical appearance of the H Street corridor as a way to enhance its market perception, and to attract investors, visitors, shoppers, and residents. 1511.8
Policy CH-2.1.4: H Street Transit and Streetscape Improvements
Undertake transit and streetscape improvements to enhance mobility along H Street, and improve the area's accessibility from the surrounding neighborhoods and other parts of the city. Improvements should upgrade aesthetics and pedestrian safety and make walking along the street more comfortable and enjoyable. 1511.9
Policy CH-2.1.5: Parking
Retain existing on-street parking along H Street. As recommended by the H Street Small Area Plan adopted by Council, encourage the development of structured off-street and shared parking lots serving the retail and theater areas in the central and eastern parts of the commercial district. 1511.10
Policy CH-2.1.6: Historic Preservation
Encourage the preservation of historic buildings along H Street, and promote educational and cultural tourism activities to raise awareness of the corridor's history and unique historic character. Consistent with the H H Street NE Street Small Area Plan, this should include expanded surveys, tax credits, and a determination of the H Street corridor's eligibility for designation as a National Historic District. 1511.11
Policy CH-2.1.7: H Street Overpass
Ensure that any future development in the air rights adjacent to the H Street overpass recognizes the limitations of the streets beneath the bridge to serve high volume commercial traffic and includes provisions for parking and delivery ingress and egress from the bridge itself. The allowable height of any building constructed in the air rights should be measured consistent with the Height Act and relate positively to the surroundings with special attention to Union Station and other historic buildings, the federal precincts on Capitol Hill, and existing neighborhoods to the east and west. Development must give special attention to the preservation and enhancement of and views to Union Station and its historic surroundings by ensuring the provision of exemplary architecture and encouraging upper story setbacks and minimized penthouses.
Implement the recommendations of the 2003 H Street Strategic Development Plan. 1511.13
Action CH-2.1.B: Great Streets Improvements
Implement "Great Streets" streetscape plans for H Street and Benning Road, including landscaping the avenue from Union Station to the Anacostia River, maintaining the width of the street, planting trees, upgrading signage and street furniture, and taking other steps to manage traffic flow and reduce cut-through traffic in adjacent neighborhoods. Many of these recommendations may be found in the 2004 DDOT H Street NE Corridor Transportation Study. Additional improvements should include provisions for a mid-block traffic signal and crosswalk on the 600 block of H Street NE to ensure pedestrian safety and to allow safe ingress and egress to development planned in this area. 1511.14
Pursue replacement of the RL Christian Library with a modern state-of-the art library facility at 13th and H Streets. 1511.15
Implement programs to improve retail success along H Street, including financial assistance to small businesses, grant and loan programs, façade improvement programs, Small Business Administration loans, and the creation of a Business Improvement District. 1511.16
Action CH-2.1.E: Marketing and Branding
Continue collaborative efforts with merchants, property owners, and residents to improve "branding" and marketing of the H Street corridor and highlight the street's direction as a center of neighborhood life in Northeast Capitol Hill. 1511.17
See also Action CH-1.1-D on the H Street-Benning Road streetcar. RL Christian Library
The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9 a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A1511