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?