Washington, D.C., 2004

Barney Circle and Hill East Charrette Issues

Place-making, Public Realm, and Connectivity

• What is the unique identity of this place and these neighborhoods?
• What elements or features can or do convey this identity?
• What are the major corridors and pathways?
• Where are people coming from and going to?
• Determine a hierarchy of streets.
• What is the character of each of these streets?
• Provide design guidance to enhance character and function for the streets.
• What modes of travel are used to move through this area?
• Evaluate how well each mode is served?
• Where could improvements be made?
• Where are the regional destinations in the neighborhood (i.e. cemetery, metro station, waterfront, Capitol Hill)?
• Do connections exist? If not, should they and how and where can they?
• What are local destinations (Safeway, schools, churches) — are there primary routes taken to access these?
• Are routes safe, attractive, interesting and inviting? If not, what strategies or designs would improve?
• Where are opportunities for public art or public gathering?
• How well does transit serve the needs of the community?
• What is the nature of transit facilities?
• Are they attractive, inviting and comfortable?
• What new transit might be desired? Is it needed/critical?
• Where might it be accommodated?
• Where are there conflicts between pedestrians and autos?
• How can these conflicts be addressed?
• Where are opportunities for unique community or national gathering places?
• What design guidance would you provide?

Economic Development and Retail Main Street

• Where is retail available in the neighborhood beyond Pennsylvania Avenue?
• What are the competing areas? What do they provide?
• What could this area of Pennsylvania Avenue support given the existing competition?
• What are the types of retail or services to focus on attracting first?
• Are retail spaces on Pennsylvania Avenue appropriate for desired retail uses?
• What guidelines should new retail space follow (i.e. minimum ceiling heights, etc.)?
• What parking is available now? Is it sufficient?
• How might additional parking, if necessary, be provided?
• Is Pennsylvania Ave too wide to be a vibrant retail main street?
• How can “double-sided” retail be improved?
• What are the unique challenges the street poses to retail success?
• Are “opportunity site” lot sizes large enough for retail?
• Do shapes of parcels pose insurmountable difficulties?
• What retail uses might find this area and these sites to be particularly appealing?
• Should retail be steered into a compact shopping district or strategically located in several nodes along it?
• What are some of the different elements located on the main street that would complement and strengthen the retail objectives?
• What design criteria / objectives should new or rehabilitated developments along the main street adhere to?
• Are sidewalks wide enough for retail activity?
• Are bus stops helpful or harmful to the retail district?
• What streetscape improvements are recommended to enhance retail success and attract shoppers?
• Are mixed-use buildings possible given the shape and size of available parcels?
• Would mixed-use buildings be economically feasible and provide adequate parking for retail and residents?
• Are single uses (retail or residential) recommended for any of the development parcels? If so, why?

Housing

• Is housing affordability an issue in this community?
• What affordable housing currently exists (beyond public housing)? Is it adequate?
• Is affordable housing stable or threatened?
• Should the public housing properties be redeveloped as mixed-income properties? If so, how and where might affordable units be replaced one-for-one within the neighborhood?
• Is it advisable to provide additional housing units and different housing types (i.e. condos, apartments, stacked rows, great houses, etc.)?
• Where might additional units or different housing products/types be added or introduced in the neighborhood?
• How would additional housing units impact the overall character and identity of the neighborhood?
• Is it advisable to increase density in the neighborhood in order to provide housing opportunities for additional residents?
• Would additional residents support more retail?
• How and where might additional density be appropriate?
• Would there be unintended consequences of increased density in specific areas?
• Who needs housing (i.e. singles, young couples, families, seniors, special needs)?
• What proportion of different household types does the neighborhood want to provide for (i.e. focus on seniors, less on singles, etc.)?
• What type of housing is required or best suited for target populations?
• Does the neighborhood want more market rate housing?
• What type of housing product is most successful/desirable in the market?
• Is that product right for this neighborhood?
• Is parking a problem for new developments?
• How much parking is required?
• How much parking is desired?
• Can this parking goal be met and still achieve the housing goals or affordability objectives?