######## Parking

There is general support for additional parking around the Promenade and
maintaining metered parking along the street. There is also a desire to
implement additional Parking Demand Management efforts for the area.
Many were in favor of the Transportation Center concept at the Overlook
site as an additional parking option.

**Maintenance-Related Issues**

The Promenade has generally been neglected over the years and is
suffering from: water & drainage issues, crumbling curbs along median
and sidewalks, missing pavers, calcium deposits under the structure, and
deteriorating and rusting lighting. A better general maintenance plan
needs to be developed and implemented as soon as possible.

**Accessibility**

There is a desire to improve accessibility for both pedestrians and
vehicles throughout the area. New concepts need to be mindful of
emergency evacuations and ADA requirements. Many would like to see
improved accessibility between the lower levels (10th street, shopping,
D Street, etc.) and the upper Promenade. 24/7 access needs to be
maintained during any construction as USPS operates around the clock.
There is support for prohibiting truck traffic along Promenade for
security and functional reasons. Any new concepts should accommodate
future public transit along the Promenade and tie in to any light rail
along Maine Avenue or 9th Street. There is a desire to maintain
vehicular access from the Promenade to Maine Avenue.

**Connectivity**

There is strong support for improving the overall connectivity of the
Promenade with the Mall, the waterfront, and areas east & west. New
wayfinding, signage and possibility renaming the Promenade '10th Street'
would help to better orient visitors to the area. There is support for
new Metro entrances from the L'Enfant Station to exit onto the Promenade
or closer to the waterfront. Studies should look for additional
east/west vehicular connections for the Promenade (such as decking over
railroad or removing railroad). There should be multiple, marked and
convenient at-grade crossings for pedestrians at Maine, Independence and
along D Street. The study needs to consider both a pedestrian overpass
and an at-grade crossing from the Promenade over Maine to the
Waterfront. Incorporating bike routes is a concern for new designs.
There is interest in removing the Promenade and rebuilding 10th Street
at grade as well as desires to turn the SW Freeway into a boulevard. A
new pedestrian connection to Haines Point is desired.

**Security**

Security is a major concern for several Federal tenants in the area.
Major concerns and fears exist from employees working in high-risk
federal buildings. Limiting traffic or closing the street under the DOE
building should be considered. Another option is to limit traffic to
taxis, buses and future downtown circulator only. Eliminating left turns
from Independence Avenue onto the Promenade would help with security
concerns. Another option is to take a "surgical approach" to removing
parking from highly vulnerable spots rather than blanket removal. Truck
access to the Promenade should be restricted. The railroad presents a
hazard and rerouting freight rail and tunneling the railroad or removing
it all together is a consideration. Another option would be to remove a
portion of the DOE building that spans the Promenade. Suggestions to
accommodate concerns during heighten security times include allowing for
pop up barricades on the Promenade. As well, evacuation routes for the
entire Promenade needs to be studied. Creating greater standoff
distances from buildings and parked vehicles needs to be considered.
There are also some who feel that security should not be a primary issue
driving future design considerations for the Promenade. There is concern
that security measures may be very superficial and everyday enjoyment
should not be sacrificed for security enhancements that provide
diminishing returns.

**Safety**

General activity, lighting and police presence needs to be improved to
make the area safer at night. Currently the area is known to have
muggings and drug dealings occur in the evening hours. The stairs
connecting Promenade to D Street are also currently very dangerous &
un-welcoming. The area under the Promenade between D Street & the
railroad tracks is a major blight & presents security/safety concerns.

**Environmental Concerns**

The Promenade is almost entirely a hardscape condition with no pervious
surfaces. New designs should consider creative stormwater management
techniques and the introduction of more greenspace. New landscaping
elements need to be hearty and native so that they stay healthy and
productive. Summer shade is important -- natural opportunities such as
trees need to be looked at.

**Aesthetics & Other Design Considerations**

The area currently lacks a coherent design vocabulary for way-finding,
lighting, seating, etc. New streetscape elements should help to create a
new identity for the Promenade and connect with the Waterfront or the
Mall area (perhaps coordinating with the new Mall-wide signage program
to be implemented in summer '03). The future of the Promenade should
include major new landscaping and greenspace. New points of interest
(e.g. public art, informational kiosks, vendors, interpretive exhibits,
etc.) along sidewalks would help to enliven the street. The grand scale
of the area should be mitigated by introducing new buildings and
structures. A major destination should be created at the Overlook site.
There is support for placing a new structure on axis or framing the site
and maintaining open vistas/views. Views from the overlook back to the
Smithsonian castle should be emphasized by removing blockages. More
vertical points of interest along Promenade should be considered to draw
people from up Independence Avenue. Shade needs to be provided along the
Promenade either with overhead canopies or trees. The perception of the
vast distance from Independence Avenue to points south is a deterrent
for pedestrians -- there are no visual cues as to what lies beyond. The
conditions under the Promenade on 10th street need to be improved. To
improve the pedestrian experience designs should provide a garden-like
reprieve along median (similar to Sculpture Garden). There is some
desire to keep the ceremonial front door of USPS open and free of major
monument or memorial. A stronger "gateway" to the Promenade at
Independence Avenue needs to be considered. The DOE should move forward
with the design competition proposals and create interest on the "big
blank wall" located along the railroad tracks to provide more interest
on the Promenade. For the Overlook site, care should be taken to not
build a "behemoth" structure that perpetuates the modernist approach --
more human scale designs should occur. Consider the Overlook site as a
"gateway to the Waterfront." Any new parking at the Overlook site should
be below grade. Create a pedestrian friendly street edge along Maine
Avenue below Overlook site.

**Memorial/Museum considerations**

The L'Enfant area is designated for future memorial/museum
considerations. There is a desire to keep the focus on Banneker and
other founding fathers of the District (Banneker, Ellicott, L'Enfant,
etc.). Future museums/memorials should also focus on the African
American history of the site and the SW Waterfront. The overlook site
should be designated to a single significant museum or memorial of
national importance. There is an opportunity to create a major point of
interest for a potential new monument at the Maryland avenue axis
providing views to Capitol. A new visitor's center in conjunction with a
Banneker Memorial should be considered near Independence Avenue. The
concept for the Banneker Memorial should be implemented along the
Promenade. A range of uses on the Overlook site needs to be considered
(Museum, Think Tank, Memorial, etc). A new memorial/museum master plan
for the entire Promenade needs to be created.

**Historical Considerations**

There is a strong desire to recapture the history of the area in any new
design considerations. This involves the African American History
(Banneker, Underground Railroad 'safe house', Pre-50's Displacement, the
Pearl, etc.), the Waterfront (shipping, retail, 7th Street Corridor,
etc.), Modernism (Looking back at original design intent of Pei, Kiley
and others and documenting it). One option might be to restore the
original street grid patterns and its pre-urban renewal conditions of
the area.

**Redevelopment Opportunities**

The existing development on the Promenade does not utilize all the
developable area and should look at new air-rights opportunities and
infill options. One option is to redevelop the overlook site as: a major
museum with integrated parking & mixed uses along 9th Street and Maine
Avenue; a major new transportation center, a Banneker Memorial, or other
cultural uses. As well, some of the existing federal office functions
along the Promenade should be replaced with cultural, restaurant and
retail uses, especially at street-level to create activity during off
hours and on the weekend. The study should also consider creating more
"visually permeable first floors" for L'Enfant Plaza buildings. The
L'Enfant Plaza buildings were designed for first floor retail and should
be explored as market conditions would support this type of use.

**Other Issues**

All options should be long-term in nature and consider that the existing
buildings & current uses will not last forever. Currently, the Promenade
area is seen as a major design failure, therefore starting over from
scratch and considering the highest and best use should be an option.
All options need to consider phasing and interim improvements. As well,
nothing done in the short-term should perpetuate the current
dysfunction. Joint development opportunities with the private sector for
major infrastructure investments should be explored. There is a need to
build consensus as part of the design process to integrate efforts for
the Banneker Memorial, future museum/memorial at Overlook Site, security
issues, parking, etc.

*These summary comments were compiled from individual stakeholder
meetings and the December 4, 2002 Stakeholder charette.*