Letter
Dear Mr. Hanlon:
In its meeting of 17 September, the Commission of Fine Arts was pleased to hear an information presentation on the master plan for the development of a new stadium district on the site of the former Robert F. Kennedy Stadium and adjacent parkland along the west bank of the Anacostia River at East Capitol Street. The Commission expressed general support for this long-range planning effort and provided the following comments for the refinement of the master plan and its implementation.
In their support for the general plan, the Commission members endorsed the vision presented for the stadium redevelopment area which shows a variety of building heights, tree-lined streets, and public spaces. Citing the importance of integrating the new district into the surrounding existing city fabric, which is largely lower-scale residential, they expressed concern that the variation in building massings as shown may not be guaranteed by zoning regulations alone, and they recommended that standards for massing and design, including three-dimensional diagrams, be developed to accompany future zoning regulations for these areas. They encouraged close coordination to ensure that this planning proposal of the stadium site, the redevelopment of the D.C. Armory, and the current Hill East master plan work together to create a vibrant new part of the city.
Regarding the design of the new street network, the Commission members recommended that street widths be sufficient to provide a generous pedestrian environment and accommodate significant numbers of street trees, aligned with the D.C. Government’s goal of a 40 percent healthy tree canopy by 2032. For the development of the monumental Festival Plaza west of the stadium, they recommended that its design draw upon the established forms of many squares and circles in the city, such as a deliberate oval shape rather than the tapered form determined by the position of roadways; they strongly encouraged that a consistent, narrow cartway surround this important civic space on all sides. Finally, they expressed support for the proposed expansion of the Stadium Armory station to increase transit access to the stadium, and they urged consideration of a new Metrorail station northeast of the second parking garage.
The Commission looks forward to the future review of the Robert F. Kennedy site and adjacent properties to help guide the redevelopment of this important area. Please continue to consult with the Commission staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Brian Hanlon
RFK Project Executive
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004
cc: Jen Nersessian, National Park Service
Diane Sullivan, National Capital Planning Commission