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Lower Georgia Avenue Transportation and Streetscape ImprovementsFinal Report December 2007

Contents PageA. Executive Summary 1Introduction and Background 12B. Introduction 13C. Study Area 17D. History 18Project Purpose 23

E. Public Participation 24F. Corridor Revitalization Visions and Guidelines 27Existing Conditions 38G. Land Use 39H. Existing Conditions Transportation 42I. Existing Conditions Public Realm 56Alternatives 63J. Transportation Alternatives 64Recommendations 79K. Preferred Alternative 80L. Short Term Recommendations 116M. Long Term Recommendations 118N. Implementation Plan 121O. Acknowledgements

AppendicesAppendix I Existing Conditions Report

Appendix II Future Traffic Analysis ReportAppendix III Steering Committee ListAppendix IV Comments from Public MeetingsAppendix V Public Meeting Summaries


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Page Lower Georgia Avenue Transportation and Streetscape Improvement Study - Final Report

A. ExecutiveSummaryProject Overview

TheDistrictDepartmentofTransportation(DDOT)commissionedadetailedstudyofstrategictransportationimprovementsthatcouldimprovemultimodalmobilityin

theGeorgiaAvenuacorridor,whileenhancingthepublicrealmwithaconsistentand

attractivestreetscape.DDOTiscommittedtomakingmajortransportationinvestments

andimprovementsalongthecorridor,includingimprovementstothestreetscapeand

thepublicrealm.DDOTandotherDistrictagencieswishtoprioritizetransit,economic

development,overallsafety,andinparticular,pedestrianandbicyclistneedsalongthe

corridor.

Activecollaborationandinvolvementwiththecommunityhasbeencrucialfor

developingaconsensusvisionforthemultimodaltransportationdesignandmanagement

planforGeorgiaAvenuepresentedinthisdocument.

Major Study Goals

Provideamechanismtocreateacomprehensiveunderstandingofthecurrentand

futuretransportationsystem

-Developanoverallstreetalignment

- Determinethecurb dynamics

-Supporttheneedsandgrowthofthelocalbusiness

Developatransportationmanagementandright-of-wayplanthatsupportsexpanded

economicdevelopmentandlocalmobility.

Developtransportationoptionsthatareconducivetoanurbanuniversitycampus

environment.

Determine impacts of changes to Georgia Avenue on efciencies and multimodal

performanceofotherroadsinthestudyareasystem.

Determine efcient strategies (parallel streets, Georgia Avenue retail) to develop bus

rapidtransitorstreetcarservicealongthecorridor.

Developaplanthatsupportstheneedsanddesiresofthebusiness,residential,and

institutionalcommunities.

FigureA-1:ExistingConditionsonGeorgiaAvenue


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Developaplantoaddresspedestrianstreetcrossinghazardsatintersectionsand

encouragegreaterpedestrianconvenienceandappeal.

Examinemodesoftransportationsuchasbicycling,walking,andmasstransitandhowthese may impact lane congurations, safety, and parking along the corridor.

ProvideoptionsforresolvingnarrowsidewalksandtreespacesonGeorgiaAvenueand

ShermanAvenue.

Developaplanthatwillserveastheguidefortheimplementationofstreetscape,transit,

safety,andadjacentroadwayimprovements.

Study Area

This project examined a specic portion of the entire Georgia Avenue Great Streets corridor:

GeorgiaandShermanAvenuesfromFloridaAvenueNWtoNewHampshireAvenueNW.

Understandingthatimprovementstothissegmentwillhaveimplicationsforcommunities

alongthecorridorandthroughoutthecity,DDOTalsostudiedtheimpactsonadjacent

corridorsandcommunities.

Project Boundaries (See gure A-2)

NewHampshireAvenueNWtothenorth

FloridaAvenueNWtothesouthTheReservoir/4thStreetNWtotheeast

ShermanAvenueNWtothewest

FigureA-2:LowerGeorgiaAvenueStudyArea

ExecutiveSummary


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Revitalization Vision for Lower Georgia Avenue

Acontext-sensitivetransportationnetworkthatbalancesGeorgiaAvenueandSherman

Avenueshouldmodifythecharacterofeachstreet.Thecriticalaspectsofthisrevitalization

vision for the study area are its multimodal quality and genuine reection and response to

thechangingcontextofthearea.ThisstudyaspirestomakeGeorgiaandShermanAvenues

greatplacesforwalking,commerce,andcasualinteractionwhileeffectivelyaccommadating

trafc.

TherichhistoryoftheGeorgiaAvenuecorridorhasbeenerasedfromthepublic

realm.Whilephysicallyimprovingmobilityinthecorridor,thevisionistoimplement

improvementsthatdrawonitsAfrican-Americanheritage.Inparticular,thehistoricHoward

UniversityareashouldbecelebratedandevokedinthestreetscapealongGeorgiaAvenue

betweenFloridaAvenueandBarryPlace.Theentirecorridorcanandshouldbeaculturaldestination,withasteadyrhythmofdistinctiveplacesallthewaytoNewHampshireAvenue. These distinctions will be made through a consistent and dignied palette of

streetscapefeatures.Inaddition,theGeorgiaAvenueandFloridaAvenueintersectionisan

opportunityforagatewayintothiscultural/historicdestination.

To create a distinctive and dignied corridor, the design opportunities for Georgia Avenue

wereinformedbythefollowingconcepts:

Balanced

ThetransportationstrategybalancestravelandtransportationopportunitiesonGeorgiaand

ShermanAvenues.

Distinctive

Both streets should have a special character that identies them as distinctive and great

places for walking, shopping, socializing, commerce, and moving trafc.

Walkable

EachthoroughfareshouldbeinvitingandwalkablewhiledrawingontheareasAfrican-

Americanheritage,particularlythehistoricHowardUniversity.

FigureA-3:ExampleofthePossibleFutureVisionforanUrbanArea


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Safe, Efcient Operation

Designchangesshouldbeimplementedtoimprovewalkability,fosterculturalandhistorical

identy, create gateways, dene corridor entrances, and ensure the efcient and safe operationofallmodesoftravel.

Project Findings

Trafc

Double-parkedvehiclesalongthecorridorblockturns,impedepedestrians,andobstruct

buses.

Trafc signal phasing at Georgia Avenue and Park Road creates vehicle conicts.Lane widths between Barry Place and Florida Avenue result in inefcient trafc

operations.

VehiclesturningleftatBryantStreetandFloridaAvenuecreatequeuingthatblocks

through-movementvehicles.

Pedestrians

WalkabilityvariesconsiderablyonbothGeorgiaandShermanAvenues,rangingfrom

goodtoverypoor.

Somesidewalkscannotbeeasilywidenedbecausebuildingsarebuiltuptothesidewalk.

Many intersections have crosswalks but no trafc signals, and some have no crosswalks

atall.

Bicycles

Bicycles travel on Georgia Avenue with trafc.

BicycletravelisheavyeasttowestcrossingtheGeorgiaAvenuecorridoratColumbia

RoadandHarvard,W,andVStreets.

ExecutiveSummary

FigureA-4:ExistingPedestrianConditionsintheLowerGeorgia

AvenueAreaNeartheHowardUniversityBookstore


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Transit

The70and71busescarryabout20,000riderseverydaythroughthecorridor.

Thecross-townHroutescarrythousandsofresidentstoandfromwork.

Rapidbusservicecouldreducetraveltimeby16percent.

Busesareoftenblockedbydouble-parkedvehicles.

Areductionoflanewidthsinthelowersectionofthecorridorhindersbustravel.

Urban Design

GeorgiaAvenuefromFloridatoNewHampshireAvenuesisnotoneplace,butseveral

largesegmentswithanumberofsmallerfocalpointswithineachsegment.

BusinessesnorthofHarvardStreetappeartoserveneighborhoodneeds.BusinessessouthofHarvardStreetappeartoserveHowardUniversityandHoward

UniversityHospital.

GeorgiaandShermanAvenuesrepresentdifferentstreettypesandseveraldifferent

functions.

Sidewalk pavement, lighting xtures, and street furnishing are inconsistent along the

corridor.

The corridor contains no clear identication of its signicance to African-American

culture.

Recommended Improvements

FigureA-5:GeorgiaAvenueToday


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Improvementsthatcouldbephasedinasfundingbecomesavailablewereconsidered.Short-

term,lower-costimprovementswereprioritized.

Basic improvements

Millandoverlaypavement

Re-stripetravellanesandcrosswalks

Installstripingorpavementtreatmentatdesignatedparkinglanes

Stripe shared lane markings (sharrows) for cyclists, per the Manual of Uniform Trafc

ControlDevices(MUTCD)recommendations

Installtreeboxes/grates

Improvelandscaping

Installconsistentstreetfurniture(trashcans,benches,bicycleracks)

Optimize trafc signal timing

Addcountdownpedestriansignalsatsignalizedintersections

IncreaseparkingenforcementalongGeorgiaAvenue

Addon-streetparkingonnorthbound4thStreetneartheMacmillanReservoirto

substituteforparkingremovalalongGeorgiaAvenue

WorkwithHowardTownCenterandotherdevelopmentstoallowpublicparkingintheir

developments

Thesebasicimprovementswouldprovideconsistencyfordrivers,pedestrians,andcyclists

and should minimize conicts among them. These improvements would not result in an

increaseinautomobilespeedsandthereforewouldnotsubjectpedestriansandbicycliststo

moredangerousconditions,

Moreextensiveimprovements,suchasbulbouts(extensionsofthesidewalkintothe

roadway),willfurtherenhancethepublicrealmandhelpachievetheGreatStreetsnatureof

thecorridor.Moreextensiveimprovementsmustincludeimprovedbusserviceforahighly

transit-dependentpopulation.Theselonger-termimprovementsanticipatethefutureGeorgia

Avenuewillhavebyprovidingresidentswithsafe,convenient,andcomfortablepedestrian

FigureA-6:RecommendedRoadwaySectionforGeorgiaAvenuenear

HowardUniversity

ExecutiveSummary


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accesstoretailandentertainmentusesalongandadjacenttothecorridor.

Achievementoftheseobjectives,however,doesrequireatrade-offwiththelossofsomeparkingspaces.Fortunately,withtheextensionofWandBryantStreets,lostparkingspaces

canbeeasilyregained.Inaddition,newdevelopments,suchasHowardTownCenter,can

moreconvenientlysupplypublicparking.Similarstrategieshaveprovensuccessfulin

Bethesda,Rosslyn,andBallston.

Theperceivedvalueofparkingtoretailersmustbebalancedwithafuturepopulationwilling

towalktotheirshops.

Georgia Avenue from Florida Avenue to W Street

AddgatewaytreatmentatGeorgiaAvenue-FloridaAvenueintersection(special

crosswalkpaving,artwork/sculpture)Remove parking along both sides of the street to promote efcient trafc operation

Widentravellanesforsafetravelofvehicles

Recongure lanes at Georgia Avenue-Florida Avenue intersections

Remove hedge on east sidewalk to eliminate conned feel for pedestrians

ImprovecrosswalkstripingatVStreet

InstallpedestriansignageatFloridaAvenueandWStreet

Georgia Avenue from W Street to Barry Place

Remove parking along both sides of street to promote efcient trafc operation

Widentravellanesforsafetravelofvehicles

ImprovecrosswalkstripingatWStreet

AddspecialcrosswalkpavingatBryantStreetandBarryPlace

WidensidewalksatGeorgiaAvenuebetweenBryantStreetandBarryPlace

RelocatecurbcutsforMcDonaldsfromGeorgiaAvenuetoBarryPlace

RemoveexcessivetrashcansonGeorgiaAvenuebetweenBryantStreetandBarryPlace

InstallpedestriansignageatBryantStreetandBarryPlace

FigureA-7:RecommendedRoadwaySectionforGeorgiaAvenueNorth

ofColumbiaRoad


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Georgia Avenue from Barry Place to Euclid Street

AddcurbextensiontosupporttransitusageatHowardPlace

InstallspecialcrosswalkpavingatHowardPlace

ImprovecrosswalkstripingatEuclidStreet

RemoveparkinglanefromHowardPlacetoBarryPlace

Adddedicatedright-turnlanefromsouthboundGeorgiaAvenueontoBarryPlace

Addart(e.g.,mural,painting)onwallinfrontofEuclidStreet

InstallpedestriansignageatHowardPlace

Georgia Avenue from Euclid Street to Columbia Road

RemovepipebarriersbetweenEuclidStreetandColumbiaRoadCreategatewaytreatmentsatHarvardStreetandColumbiaRoad

Removeunnecessarystreetsigns

Improvepavementinalleys

Georgia Avenue from Columbia Road to New Hampshire Avenue

ImprovecrosswalkstripingatIrvingStreetandParkRoad

InstalllightedcrosswalksatLamontStreetandMortonStreets

InstallpedestriansignageatIrvingStreet,LamontStreet,andParkRoad

Revise trafc signal phasing at Park Road to split-phase side street operations

Sherman Avenue Corridor-Wide Improvements

Widensidewalksalongcorridor

Installfour-footbicyclelanesalongcorridor

Reducenumberoftravellanesfromtwoineachdirectiontooneineachdirection

Addlandscapedmedianwithcut-outsfordedicatedleft-turnlanes

ExecutiveSummary

FigureA-8:RecommendedRoadwaySectionforShermanAvenue


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Sherman Avenue from U Street to Florida Avenue

AddpedestriancrosswalkatVStreet

Sherman Avenue from Florida Avenue to Euclid Street

Constructtwo-laneroundaboutatShermanAvenueandtheextendedBryantStreet

AddpedestriansignageatBarryPlaceandEuclidStreet

Sherman Avenue from Euclid Street to New Hampshire Avenue

Constructtwo-laneroundaboutatShermanAvenueandParkRoad

AddpedestriansignageatIrvingStreetandParkRoad

Recommended Streetscape Elements

Intersections

DecorativestreetprintpatterncrosswalkwithAfricanmotifatkeyintersections

Bump-outsidewalkareastoimprovepedestriansafety

SecondaryIntersections(allotherintersections)

-Standardpaintedladdercrosswalk

-Bump-outsidewalkareastoimprovepedestriansafety

-Poured-in-placeconcretewheelchairramps

Roadway Surfaces

SpecialroadwaysurfaceatHowardTownCenter(VStreettoBarryPlace)

Standardblackasphaltforstandardroadwaysurfaces

ParkinglaneswithLIDtreatment

Dedicatedbuslanewithred-coloredasphaltroadwaysurfaceandstampedtexture

FigureA-9:StreetscapeImprovementsforGeorgiaAvenueatBryant

Street


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Page 0Lower Georgia Avenue Transportation and Streetscape Improvement Study - Final Report

Sidewalk Surfaces

ConcretesidewalksforGeorgiaAvenuecornerpavers

Street Trees and Plantings

Continuoustreepitswherepossible

Ornamentalfencefortreepitprotection

Treepitgroundcover

Ornamentaltreesandplantingsinplantingbedsatselectcornermini-parklocations

andatselectwidesidewalkareas

Street Furniture

TrashreceptaclesstandardDDOT;tobelocatedincurbzone

BenchesstandardDDOT;tobelocatedincurbzone

BicycleracksstandardU-shapebikerackstobelocatedincurbzoneorbumpoutzone

Newspapercorralsstackablecorrals;tobelocatedincurbzone.

Streetlightsteardropstandardatintersections,doubleWashingtonglobesfromFlorida

AvenuetoGreshamPlace,andsingleWashingtonglobefromGreshamPlacetoOtis

Place.

Parkingmetersmulti-spacedevicesforon-streetparking

Busshelters

FigureA-10:NewLinearEntranceatBannekerPark

ExecutiveSummary


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Special Streetscape Elements

LinearstreetparkatBannekerPark,with24-footsidewalksetbackintoparkand

retainingwallsthatdoubleasseating

Culturalheritageandinterpretiveelements

Historicsignage

WalkofFame:commemorativeplaqueslocatedfromFairmontStreettoBarryPlace

Publicartopportunities

AccentgatewayelementsatFloridaAvenue

-Decorativebollardslocatedatcurbedge

-Buildinglightingfromstreetlightpoles

AccentgatewayselementsatkeyHowardUniversityentrances

Decorative ags and ag poles at Howard Place and Fairmont Street

FigureA-11:NewLookforShermanAvenue


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Introduction&Background

B. Introduction

i. Project Goalsii. Project Timeline

iii. Report Organization

C. Study Area

D. History

i. History of the Corridor

ii. Comprehensive Plan

iii. Previous Studies Completed in Study Area


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Page Lower Georgia Avenue Transportation and Streetscape Improvement Study

- Final Report

B. IntroductionGeorgiaAvenueNWisamultimodalcorridorstrivingtomeetmultipledemands:frequent

transit service, heavy pedestrian trafc, rush-hour commuters, local auto destinations, cross-

commutingbicyclists,andrecurrentbusinessdeliveries.Alimitedright-of-wayinthelower

portionofthecorridorservesasabottlenecktovehicles.Pedestrianfacilitiesarenarrow

and generally insufcient for demand. Bicycle facilities are nonexistent despite demand.Currently, the efcient and reliable mobility of all travel modes is compromised. This in turn

presentsachallengetofuturedevelopmentandeconomicexpansion.TheGeorgiaAvenue

commercialcorridorispartofagridsysteminwhichprimarilyresidentialstreetsprovideparallel routes. Efforts are now under way to reduce the impacts of auto trafc on these

residentialcorridors.

GeorgiaAvenueisalsointhemidstofchange.TheDeputyMayorforPlanningand

Economic Development and the Ofce of Planning have designated Georgia Avenue

formajorrezoningandredevelopmenttotransitiontheblightedcommunitytoamajor

destinationforthecityanditsresidents.Aspartoftheredevelopmentefforts,DDOT

commissionedanin-depthexaminationofGeorgiaAvenuetoimprovecurrenttransportationconditionsandtofacilitateexpandedlocaleconomicdevelopmentandmobility.Since

thecurrenttransportationconditionsresultinunacceptablemobilityandmovement,any

additionalimpactsonGeorgiaAvenuewouldbeequallyunacceptable.DDOTiscommitted

tomakingmajortransportationinvestmentsandimprovementsalongthecorridor,including

improvementstothestreetscapeandthepublicrealm,andtoprioritizetransit,economic

development,overallsafety,and,inparticular,pedestrianandbicyclistneedsalongthe

corridor.

ThepurposeoftheLowerGeorgiaAvenueTransportationandStreetscapeImprovements

Studyistodevelopaconsensusvisionforamultimodaltransportationdesignand

managementplanthatissupportedandagreeduponbythecommunity.Theconceptdesign

should help create a vibrant, diversied corridor and commercial neighborhood whileimproving the efciency of movement of all modes through this principal arterial as part of a

cityandregionaltransportationsystem.Thisreportrepresentstheworktodateonthiseffort

andpresentstherecommendedtransportationdesignandmanagementplanforarevitalized

LowerGeorgiaAvenue.

FigureB-1:ExisitingConditionsintheLowerGeorgia

AvenueStudyArea


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Major Study Goals

MajorstudygoalsfortheLowerGeorgiaAvenueTransportationandStreetscape

ImprovementsStudyarelistedbelow:

Provideamechanismtocreateacomprehensiveunderstandingofthecurrentandfuture

transportationsystem

-Developanoverallstreetalignment

- Determinethecurb dynamics

-Supporttheneedsandgrowthoflocalbusinesses

Developatransportationmanagementandright-of-wayplanthatsupportsexpanded

economicdevelopmentandlocalmobility.

Developtransportationoptionsthatareconducivetoanurbanuniversitycampus

environment.

Determine impacts of changes to Georgia Avenue on efciencies and multimodal

performanceofotherroadsinthestudyareasystem.

Determine efcient strategies (parallel streets, Georgia Avenue retail, etc) to develop bus

rapidtransitorstreetcarservicealongthecorridor.

Developaplanthatsupportstheneedsanddesiresofthebusiness,residentialand

institutionalcommunities.

Developaplantoaddresspedestrianstreetcrossinghazardsatintersections,and

encouragegreaterpedestrianconvenienceandappeal.

Examine the impact of bicycling, walking, and mass transit on lane congurations,

safety,andparkingalongthecorridor.

ProvideoptionsforresolvingnarrowsidewalksandtreespacesonGeorgiaAvenueand

ShermanAvenue.

Developaplanthatwillserveastheguidefortheimplementationofstreetscape,transit,

safety,andadjacentroadwayimprovements.

Introduction

FigureB-2:IntersectionConditionsNeartheHoward

UniversityHospital


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Great Streets Program

TheGreatStreetsProgramissimilartomanyseminalplanningeffortsthathavehelpedmakeWashington, DC a world-class city. It is poised to redene critical neighborhood streets

asthecentersoftheircommunitiesandhelpexpandthecitysvitalitybydistributingnew

benets equitably. Soon many of the neighborhood retail streets including the Great Streets

programwillbeamongthecitysbestplacestolive,work,play,andinvest.Allinall,these

GreatStreetswillprovideanimpetusforbringingpopulationbacktoWashington,generating

commerce,creatingjobs,expandingtheDistrictstaxbase,andimprovingthequalityoflife

foritsresidents.Thesecorridorsextendmorethan20milesandimpacthalftheDistricts

residents in 50 different neighborhoods. The rst round of Great Streets corridors are

targeted,inpart,becauseofthewell-organizedcommunityinfrastructureandnetworksin

place.AllGreatStreetscorridorshavelongbeenapriorityfortheirlocalneighborhoods.

Neighborhoodstakeholdersadvocatedforimprovementtothesecorridorsthroughstrategic

neighborhoodactionplans(SNAPs)andotherpriority-settinginitiatives.Active,organized

neighborhoodassociations,orcivicgroups,helpguideandparticipateinstreetscape

improvements.ThecorridorstargetedbytheGreatStreetsprogramhavehistoricallylacked

thelevelofinvestmentenjoyedbyotherprominentstreetsintheDistrict.Thetargeted

corridorsalsocorrespondtoareastargetedunderothercityprogramsandinitiatives,

suchas:ReSTORE DC Main Streets, the Home Again initiative, public safety Hot Spots,

and New Communities

GreatStreetsbringtogetheralltheseprograms.

ThegoalsoftheGreatStreetsProgramareasfollows:

ImprovethequalityoflifeinneighborhoodsalongGreatStreetscorridors,byimprovingpublicsafety,physicalappearance,andpersonalopportunity

Supportlocaldemandforgoodsandservicesthrougheconomicdevelopment

Expand mobility choices and improve safety and efciency of all modes of travel

AttractprivateinvestmentthroughthedemonstrationofapubliccommitmenttoGreat

Streetscommunities

1.

2.

3.

4.

FigureB-3:ExampleofGreatStreetsAmentiyArea


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Project Timeline

This study represents the rst phase in a three-phased approach to implement improvementsfortheLowerGeorgiaAvenuecorridor.Phase1,schedualedfromFall2006toSummer

2007isthemajorstudyeffortsandthedevelopmentofthetransportationmanagementplan

andthepreferredconceptdesign.PhaseIIwillbethebeginningandcompletionofthe

designforLowerGeorgiaAvenueandwillextendfromFall2007toSpring2008.Phase

IIIrepresentstheconstructionofthemajorimprovementsfortheLowerGeorgiaAvenue

corridor,whichisanticipatedtobegininFall2008.Overall,DDOThascommittedmore

than$6millionforinvestmentsonGeorgiaAvenueandwantstoimplementimprovements

quickly.

Introduction

FigureB-4:GeorgiaAvenuenearWonderPlaza


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- Final Report

C. StudyAreaTheLowerGeorgiaAvenueTransportationandStreetscapeImprovementsStudyareais

borderedbyShermanAvenuetothewest,NewHampshireAvenuetothenorth,Florida

Avenuetothesouth,andtheMcMillanReservoir/4thStreettotheeast.

Geographically,thestudyareaiswithinWard1andoverlapstheAdvisoryNeighborhood

Commissionarea(ANC),1AnorthofColumbiaRoad,andANC1BsouthofColumbia

Road.NeighborhoodclustersincludeMountPleasant,ColumbiaHeights,ParkView,

HowardUniversity,LeDroitPark,andCardozo/Shaw.Thestudyareaisaproximately

onemilenorthofthedowntownandmonumentalcoreofWashingtonDC.

Publicserviceswithinthestudyareaincludetworecreationcenters:Banneker

CommunityCenteronGeorgiaAvenueandParkviewCommunityCenteronOtisPlace.

Fire Station 4 on Sherman Avenue serves the study area along with a post ofce on

GeorgiaAvenue.SchoolsintheareaincludeBenjaminBannekerHighSchoolonEuclid

StreetandBruceMonroeElementarySchoolonGeorgiaAvenue.

HowardUniversityandHowardUniversityHospitalarethemajoremployerswithin

thestudyarea.ThestudentpopulationatHowardUniversityismorethan11,000.

ThehospitalhasservedasthenationslargesthospitalservingtheAfrican-American

communityformorethan140years.Boththeuniversityandthehospitalattractalarge

volumeofpedestrians.

ThecorridorisservedbyboththeWashingtonMetropolitanAreaTransitAuthoritys

(WMATA)MetrobusandMetrorailservice.MetrobusroutesprovideserviceonGeorgia

Avenue,ShermanAvenue,NewHampshireAvenue,IrvingStreet,andColumbia

Road.TheGeorgiaAvenue-PetworthMetrorailStationlocatedatNewHampshireand

GeorgiaAvenuesproviderailserviceontheGreenandYellowlines.TheShaw-Howard

UniversityMetroStationjustsouthofthestudyareaalsoprovidesaccesstotheGreen

andYellowlines.

ThestudyareaisshowninFigureC-1.FigureC-1:AerialViewofStudyArea

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- Final Report

D. HistoryHistory of Georgia Avenue

Mid-20thcenturydisinvestmentandneglecthavetakentheirtollonthecorridor.Commercialestablishments,whichoncethrivedonthepatronageoftheresidences

andinstitutionsaroundthem,declinedascompetitionfromsuburbanretailgrew,local

residentialpopulationsdeclined,andAmericantravelbehaviorturnedmoretowardthe

convenienceoftheprivateautomobileandawayfromthetraditionalmodesofwalking,

biking,andtransit.

TheGeorgiaAvenuestreetcarlinewasreplacedbybusserviceinthe1930s,andbythe

1960sthestreethadbecomeamajorautomobilethoroughfare,orientedmoretoward

shuttlingcommutersbetweenMarylandanddowntownWashington,DCthansupporting

andstrengtheningthelocalneighborhoodsandretailestablishments.Long-standing

communitiesarerepresentedalongthecorridor,asaremorerecentCaribbean,Latino,and

Africanimmigrantcommunities.Thisvarietyisuniqueinthecity.

Howard University, the rst university open to African-Americans in the south, is located

intheheartofthestudyarea.Theuniversitycontinuestobeanimportantsourcefor

African-Americanhistoryandculture.

Metrorailserviceswereimplementedinphasesalongthecorridor,beginningwiththe

openingoftheShawandUStreetStationsin1991andthePetworthMetroStationin

1999.Transitconnectivity,however,remainsinadequatenorthofthePetworthStation

andimprovedintermodalconnectivitybetweenrailandbusisneeded.Oneimportant

newtransitelementinthecorridor,designedtoenhancethespeedoftripsbothalong

andthroughthecorridor,istheMetroExtraenhancedbusservice,whichbeganinspring2007.

Howard University

HowardUniversity,ahistoricalblackuniversityisaCarnegieDoctoral/Research

UniversityinWashington,DC,establishedin1867bycongressionalorder.Notable

alumniincludeNobelLaureateToniMorrison,SupremeCourtJusticeThurgoodMarshall

(HowardUniversityLawSchool),OssieDavis,DebbieAllen,RobertaFlack,Claude

Brown,ShakaHislop,StokeleyCarmichael,RichardSmallwood,andPhyliciaRashad.

FigureD-1:HistoricPhotosofGeorgia

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HowardUniversitygrantsmorePh.DstoAfrican-Americansthananyotheruniversityin

theUnitedStates.

MuchofHowardsearlyfundingcamefromendowment,privatebenefaction,andtuition.

AnannualcongressionalappropriationadministeredbytheSecretaryoftheInterioralso

fundedtheschool.Today,itisamemberschooloftheThurgoodMarshallScholarship

Fund.Fromitsoutset,theuniversitywasnonsectarianandopentopeopleofbothsexes

andallraces.Howardhasgraduateschoolsoflaw,medicine,dentistry,anddivinity,

inadditiontoitsundergraduateprogram.Theenrollmentin2003wasapproximately

11,000,including7,000undergraduates.Theuniversitysfootballhomecomingactivities

serveasoneofthepremierannualeventsinWashington.

HowardUniversityhasplayedanimportantroleinAmericanhistoryandthecivil

rightsmovementonanumberofoccasions.AlainLocke,ChairoftheDepartmentof

Philosophy and the rst African-American Rhodes Scholar, authored The New Negro,which helped usher in the Harlem Renaissance. Ralph Bunche, the rst Nobel Peace

PrizewinnerofAfricandescent,servedaschairoftheDepartmentofPoliticalScience.

StokelyCarmichael,(alsoknownasKwameToure),astudentintheDepartmentof

Philosophy,coinedthetermBlackPowerandworkedinAlabama,asavotingrights

activist.HistorianRayfordLoganservedaschairoftheDepartmentofHistory,E.

FranklinFrazierservedaschairoftheDepartmentofSociology,andSterlingAllen

BrownservedaschairoftheDepartmentofEnglish.

Afterbeingrefusedadmissiontothethenwhites-onlyUniversityofMarylandSchool

ofLaw,ThurgoodMarshall,ayoungLincolnUniversitygraduate,enrolledatHoward

UniversitySchoolofLawinstead.TherehestudiedunderCharlesHamiltonHouston,a

HarvardLawSchoolgraduateandleadingcivilrightslawyerwhoatthetimewasdean

ofHowardslawschool.HoustontookMarshallunderhiswing,andthetwoforged

afriendshipthatwouldlastfortheremainderofHoustonslifeandforeverchange

America.HowardUniversitywasthesitewhereMarshallandhisteamoflegalscholars

fromaroundthenationpreparedtoarguethelandmarkBrownv.BoardofEducationcase.

FigureD-2:FoundersLibraryontheCampusofHowardUniversity

isanIconicBuildingthathasBeenDeclaredaNationalHistoric

Landmark


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Previous Studies Completed in the Study Area

TheprimarymissionoftheLowerGeorgiaAvenueTransportationandStreetscapeImprovementsprojectistosynthesizethepastplanningworkinthecorridorintoa

coherehentdesign.TheteamreviewedpaststudieslistedinFigureD-4andextracted

the general objective and specic transportation-related ndings.

Overall,planningdocumentssuchastheGreatStreetsFramework,theDUKEplan

andtheSNAPplansemphasizeusingtransportationinfrastructureenhancementsto

demonstratepublicsupportandattentiontothearea,inordertodrawneweconomicinvestment. The Rapid Bus Study details specic locations where bulb-outs can improve

passengerboarding,andsignaltiming/prioritizationcanimprovetraveltimes.Italso

suggestsdedicatedtransitlanesforimprovedservice.

GeorgiaAvenueisgoingthroughatransformation.Thecommunityalongthisdistinctivestreethasparticipatedinextensivepublicmeetingsandhascommunicateditsvisionandobjectives in various studies. In order to focus on design principals, the specic design

recommendations in each study were identied and considered as the team developed

designs for transportation and streetscape alternatives. These improvements are the rst

stepinGeorgiaAvenuerealizingitspotentialtobeaGreatStreet.

FigureD-4:CoveroftheDUKEReport,oneofthe

PreviousStudiesReviewedforthisReport


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TableD-1:PreviousStudiesintheStudyArea

Study General Key Finding Key Findings Related to Georgia Avenue Study

Great Streets Framework

Plan

Streetscape recommendations, transit recom-

mendations, trafc recommendations

Base study of the Lower Georgia Avenue Study

Suggests ROW specications (based on 4 different sections of the corridor)

Pedestrian facility improvements identied

Bicycle route proposed

Rapid Bus Lines suggested for the study area (suggests headway times also)Planting and tree strips suggested in different areas of the corridor

Free standing and intersection art proposed

Sherman Avenue Strip MapSpecic streetscape and transportation nd-

ings

Provides ROW specications for the corridor

Curb dynamics and curb extensions suggestedSidewalk widening

New bus shelter location recommendations

Additional parking lanes recommendations

Left turn lane addition recommendations within corridor

Green space, landscape, and low shrubs suggested

Stop signs and do not enter signs suggested within the study area

Bicycle Master Plan Facilities recommendations Designated bicycle lanes given (4th Street, Columbia Road, Harvard Street, U Street, V Street, W Street, and T Street)Bicycle Plan Route within study area identied; Streets include: Lamont Avenue, Kenyon Street, and New Hampshire Avenue

DUKE Draft DevelopmentFramework for a Cultural

Destination District

Parking, public realm, transit-oriented develop-ment, pedestrian, and bicycle related actions

Road extension proposed within study area (W Street and Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to Florida Avenue)Creation of an African-American Cultural Destination suggested

Coordination of transportation improvements with rapid transit for the corridor suggested

New Hampshire AvenueLocal Trafc Study

Specic streetscape,ROW ndings

Reduction of the road width of Georgia and New Hampshire Avenues by installing medians suggested

Sidewalk, bulb out, Share the Road signs, and high visibility crosswalk installations suggested for the study area

Elimination of parking suggested in areas within the study areaElimination of left turns suggested in intersections within study area

Tree and hedge replacement suggested

Rapid Bus StudyBus streetscape ndings

Curb dynamic ndings

Curb extensions suggested

Passenger amenity areas suggested

Georgia Avenue/Petworth

Transit Area Revitalization

Specic trafc, parking, transit, key intersec-

tions, pedestrian, bicycle, and public realm

ndings

Speed reductions and trafc calming measures suggested

Sidewalk widening, pedestrian improvement and signal installation

Addition of bicycle racks suggested for areas in the study areaElimination of bus bay along the west side of Georgia Avenue suggested

Uptown Destination DistrictParking, transit, transit-oriented development,

pedestrian, bicycle, and public realm act ions

Creation of a walkable district suggested

Suggestion of designing of public places for programmable activities suggested for study area

Howard University Master

PlanTrafc/Parking Modications

Parking management and pricing strategies suggested

Parking assignment percentage for Howard University suggested (10 percent of total parking supply)Modication of on-campus vehicle circulation patterns

Inclusion of left, right and thru lanes suggested for Sherman Avenue at Euclid Avenue suggested

Exterior lighting improvements on Georgia Avenue and on campus

Transit Alternatives Repor t Transit improvement ndings Need for more time efcient transit ident ied for the study area

U Street Transportation and

Streetscape

Parking modication ndings, trafc and

streetscape modications/recommendations

Parking removal and parking additions suggested within the study area

Green space and landscape improvements identied thru the corridor

History


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ProjectProcessE. Public Participation

i. Processii. Public Meetings

F. Corridor Revitalization Vision and Guidelines

i. Great Streets Plan

ii. Corridor Vision Plan


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- Final Report

Public Participation Process

AcomprehensiveeffortwasmadetoengagelocalbusinessesandtheresidentialcommunityintheLowerGeorgiaAvenueTransportationandStreetscapeImprovements

StudybetweenJune2006andMay2007.Usingacommunity-basedplanningapproach,

extensiveoutreachwasconductedwithstakeholderstoencourageparticipationandinvite

theiropinions,concerns,andideas.Thepublicinformationcomponentwasinteractive

andoverseenbyaSteeringCommitteeconsistingofacross-sectionofcommunity,

civic,andbusinessleaders.Sevenmeetingswereheld,andmeetingsummarieswere

preparedanddistributedbroadlyviadirectmail,online,andatpubliclibrarydisplays.

Considerableeffortwasmadetoensurethatcommunicationswereclear,transparent,and

inclusive.

Thefollowingoutreachwasconductedtoengagethecommunity:

Door-to-doordistributionofmeetingnoticesandface-to-facecontactwithevery

businessalongtheLowerGeorgiaAvenuecorridorwasmadepriortoeachofthe

threecommunitymeetings.

Three thousand iers were hand-delivered to residents between 4th Street and

ShermanAvenueandbetweenFloridaAvenueandNewHampshireAvenueprior

toeachofthethreecommunitymeetings.PresentationsweremadeatANC1A

CommunityMeetings.

PresentationsweremadeatANC1Acommunitymeetings.

TelephoneoutreachwasconductedtomembersoftheSteeringCommitteeandkey

individualstobuildattendanceateachSteeringCommitteeandcommunitymeeting.Thosecontactedincludedthefollowing:

AdvisoryNeighborhoodCommissionersforANC1AandANC1B

Keycivicandcommunityorganizationsrepresentingnon-Englishspeaking

residents

Educational, cultural, faith, and nonprot organizations

GeorgiaAvenuebusinessleaders

Smallbusinessownersandlocaldevelopers

A.

B.

C.

D.

FigureE-1:CitizensAttendingaLowerGeorgiaAvenueCommunity

Meeting

E.PublicParticipation


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Pre-eventpublicitywasgeneratedthroughmediaadvisoriesandfollow-upmedia

outreach,whichincludedthefollowingmediaoutlets:

TheWashingtonPost NewsChannel8

WJLA-TV7ABC WUSA-TV9CBSWOL-AM

SatelliteOne XMRadio

WTOPRadio WHUR

WMMJ WTTG-TV5FOX

ABCRadio RadioOne

ClearChannel WMALRadio

WPFW WRC-TV4NBC

CurrentNewspapers ElTiempoLatino

ElPregonero LaNacion

HispanicLink HillRag TheIntowner WashingtonAfro-American

KoreanTimes AsianFortune

CapitalCommunityNews TheCommonDenominator

TheWashingtonBusinessJournal WashingtonInformer

CapitolSpotlight

Media relations were coordinated with Councilmember Jim Grahams ofce, DDOT

Director Emeka Monemes ofce, and DDOTs Public Information Ofcer, Erik

Linden.Pre-eventnoticesappearedinTheWashingtonPostsDistrictWeekly,the

NorthwestCurrent,andtheWashingtonInformer.Publicserviceannouncements

(PSAs)weremadeonChannels4and16andWPFW.

Channel16providedday-of-eventandpost-eventmediacoverageandairedeachcommunity meeting and workshop for ve days.

Aphotographicrecordwasmadeofeachcommunitymeetingandworkshop.

CopiesofeachSteeringCommitteeandcommunitymeetingsummarywereavailable

atthePetworthandMartinLutherKingJr.LibrariesandonDDOTswebsite.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

FigureE-2:CitizensParticipateattheDesignWorkshopinwhich

ResidentswereGivenaChancetoConsiderChangesintheCorridor


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Public Meetings

Thecomprehensivecommunityengagementforthestudyresultedinbroadawareness

andcommunityparticipation.SeveralcommunityleadersapplaudedDDOTforengaging

localbusinessesandresidentstoparticipateintheearlydesignprocess.Thefollowing

publicmeetingswereheld:

October10,2006 30peopleattendedtheinitialSteeringCommitteemeeting.

November14,2006 70peopleparticipatedintheCommunityWorkshop.

December6,2006 20peopleattendedtheSteeringCommitteemeeting.

January27,2007 100peopleparticipatedintheCommunityDesignWorkshop.

May22,2007 60peopleparticipatedintheCommunityOpenHouseand DesignPresentation.

Commentsandconcernsofbusinessownerswhowereunabletoattendthesemeetings

wereobtainedduringdoor-to-dooroutreach.Someownersexpressedconcernsthattheir

businesseswouldbeadverselyaffectedbytheredevelopmentofGeorgiaAvenueduring

constructionandbyareductioninavailableon-streetparking.Thestudyaddressedthese

concerns during its nal design and proposal for off-street, garage parking. FigureE-3:DDOTDirectorEmekaMonemeInteractswithResidentsataCommunityMeeting

PublicParticipation


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- Final Report

Great Streets Plan

TheGreatStreetsFrameworkPlandevelopedtransportationrecommendationsforeachcorridor, dened in three modal parts: pedestrian/bicycle, transit, and vehicular. These

recommendationswereusedasthefoundationfortheconceptdesign.

Right-of-Way (ROW) Conguration

TheillustrationsforSectionsAthroughDshowtheoptionsfortheright-of-way

congurations created by the Great Streets Framework Plan. Sections A and B illustrate

twotravellanessouthbound(towardthedowntownWashingtonDCarea),andasingle

lanenorthbound(towardtheSilverSpring,Maryland,area).OptionsCandDeach

showtwotravellanesinboththenorthboundandsouthbounddirections,withnotransitlanedesignation.ForSectionA,oneofthesouthboundtravellanesisdesignatedasa

sharedtransitlane,andtheotherwouldbeasingletravellane.Theonlytravellanein

thenorthbounddirectionforthissectionisasharedtransitlane.SectionBdiffersfrom

SectionAintheamountofright-of-wayallocatedforstreetscape(12feetoneachsideof

thestreet).Theright-of-wayis50feetforbothSectionsAandB.Allsectionsincludean

8-foot-wideparkinglaneineachdirection.

ROWOption1RapidBusImprovements

Section A and B, the improvements create an asymmetrical conguration with travel

lanes

ROWOption2StreetcarImprovements

Curbsidetransitstopswouldrequirethestreetcartomaneuverintoatravellanefrom

thesharedtransitlane.

Pedestrian facilities

TheGreatStreetsPlanrecommendsthatbulboutsbeconstructedatintersections

adjacenttobusstopsanddedicatedparkinglanes.Inaddition,highvisibilitycrosswalk

improvementsweresuggestedforareasalongthecorridor.ForSectionBonly,the

sidewalkwouldbewidenedtwofeetoneachside.

F.CorridorRevitalizationVision&Guidelines

FigureF-2:SectionBofProposedGreatStreetsCrossSection

FigureF-1:SectionAofProposedGreatStreetsCrossSection


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FigureF-3:SectionCofProposedGreatStreetsCrossSection

FigureF-4:SectionDofProposedGreatStreetsCross

Section

Bike facilities

Suggestedbicycleusesforthecorridorincludethefollowing:

Facilitatebicycleuseatthesouthernendofthecorridorbyasignedbicyclerouteon

6thStreetfromKStreettoUStreet.Theroutewouldcontinueon4thand5thStreets

betweenTStreetandColumbiaRoad.

Atthenorthernendofthecorridor,13thStreetwouldserveasasignedbicycleroute

fromHarvardStreettoPineyBranchRoad.ExistingbicyclelanesonPineyBranch

Roadarerecommendedtobeextendedto13thStreetintheBicycleMasterPlan.

HarvardStreetandColumbiaRoadprovidedirectionalconnectivitybetweenthetwo

routes.

Vehicle/Parking facilities

Signalcoordinationandtransitsignalprioritizationshouldbereviewedandimprovements

implemented as necessary to provide an efcient and effective corridor for all modes of

trafc. For all sections, left-turn pockets should be striped at intersections where no bulb-

outsareplanned.

Right-of-WayOption1RapidBus

Parkinglaneswouldbeprovidedalongtheentirelengthofthecorridor,andthe

provisionforoff-streetparkingatretaillocationswouldencouragepedestrianuseofthe

areaoncetheirvehiclehasbeenparked.

Travelingsouthboundintodowntown,twotravellaneswouldbemaintainedtheentire

lengthofthecorridor.

SectionsAandBwouldhaveonetravellanefromdowntown,transitioningtotwotravel

lanesinSectionsCandD.

Right-of-WayOption2Streetcar

Parkinglaneswouldbeprovidedalongtheentirelengthofthecorridor,withthe

exceptionofSectionC,whereparkingwouldberestrictedduringpeakperiods.

Off-peaktravellaneswouldberestrictedtoasinglelaneineachdirection,asshownin

SectionC.

CorridorRevitalizationVision&Guidelines


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Corridor Vision

Greatstreetsrarelyhappenbyaccident;greatstreetsrequirevision,knowledge,andimplementationtomakethemhappen.ThevisionstatedintheGreatStreetsFramework

Planfor7thStreet,GeorgiaAvenueisasfollows:

ProvidingadirectconnectionfromDowntownSilverSpringandDowntown

Washington,DC,GeorgiaAvenueisaveryurbancorridor.MajorEducational,

InstitutionalandCulturaldestinationslinetheCorridor.Highqualityenhancedtransit

shuttlespatronstotheDistinctandvariedretailandemploymentcentersseparated

byexpandedresidentialneighborhoods.Inspirationfordesignisdrawnfromtherich

culturaldiversity.

Thevisionalsoincludescreatingacontext-sensitivetransportationnetworkwith

GeorgiaandShermanAvenuesservingasfocuscorridorswhereimprovementswouldbe

madetomakeeachstreetagreatplaceforwalking,commerce,casualinteraction,and

transportation.

Inaddition,thevisionincludesmakingGeorgiaAvenueawalkable,invitingmultimodal

corridorthatdrawsonitsAfrican-Americanheritage,particularlythehistoricHoward

University,tocreateaculturaldestinationalongGeorgiaAvenuebetweenFloridaAvenue

andBarryPlace.ThevisionincludestransitionstodistinctiveplacesnorthalongGeorgia

AvenuetoNewHampshireAvenuethattakeadvantageoftheGeorgiaAvenue/Florida

Avenueintersectiontocreateagatewayintothisculturalandhistoricaldestination.

Distinctive and dignied themes and objectives for design opportunities for GeorgiaAvenueareasfollows:

Walkability

Cultural/historicaldestination

Gateway

Efcient operation of all modes

Figure F-5: A Conuence of Several Attractive Design Elements


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Design Guidelines and Elements

Walkability

Thegoalistopromotewalkabilitybyprovidingacomfortableandsafepedestrian

experiencealongGeorgiaandShermanAvenues.Thebeststreetsarepleasantfor

pedestrians.Theycontaindestinationsforthosewalkingandprioritizetheirneedssuch

thatvehiclesareslowedtoallowsaferandmorecomfortablepedestriancrossings.

Distinctive and complementary design elements:

Improvedcrossings

Alternativepavingmaterials,includingpermeableunitpavers

Striping

Signage

Widesidewalks

Landscaping

Barriersremoved(pipingremoved)

Treegrates/fences/boxesreplacedorrepaired

Benches

Goodmaintenance

Alternative Paving Materials

Alternative pavement materials provide opportunities for spatial denition and the

recognitionofspecialareas.Theyshouldbethoughtfullyselectedandarrangedsoasto

achievethefollowing:

Fulll functional, safety, and durability requirements: Pavement materials should be

ofhighquality,durable,andlowmaintenance.Thefurnishingzoneinretailareas

shouldbeofpermeableunitpaverswhenpossible.

FigureF-6:ExamplesofImprovedPedestrianCrossings



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Supportandexpressthedesigntheme:Thedesign,color,andmaterialsofvisible

pavement should fulll its supporting role as an important visual element of the overall

designtheme.Numerousdesignsarepossible.

Emphasizespecialareas:Specialpavingishighlyeffectiveatdelineatingspatial

relationshipsandcallingattentiontofocalareas.

Specic Recommendations

Pedestriandesignelementsforthisprojecthavebeencategorizedintothefollowingthree

areas:

Gatewayimprovements

Transit-orientedimprovementstoimprove,ease,andenhancethewalk/transittransition.Crossingsshouldbesafeorshortened.

Overallpedestrianactivitydesignelementsshouldenhancepedestrianactivityinthe

area.

Table F-1: Intersections where Opportunities Exist for Pedestrian Enhancements

GatewayTransit-

Oriented

Enhanced

pedestrian

activity

GeorgiaAvenueatFloridaAvenue * *GeorgiaAvenueatWStreet *

GeorgiaAvenueatBarryPlace/

BryantStreet*

GeorgiaAvenueatIrvingStreet * *

GeorgiaAvenueatLamontStreet * *

GeorgiaAvenueatParkRoad * *

GeorgiaAvenueatHowardPlace * *

FigureF-7:ExamplesofAlternativePavingMaterials


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Plannedpedestrianimprovementsatthefollowingkeyintersectionsshouldbereviewed

toensureappropriatepedestrianenhancementsaremade:

ShermanAvenueandBarryPlaceShermanAvenueandEuclidStreet

ShermanAvenueandIrvingStreet

ShermanAvenueandParkRoad

Opportunity Segments along Georgia Avenue for Pedestrian Enhancements

FloridaAvenuetoWStreet

This section of sidewalk is six feet wide, which typically is sufcient for pedestrian

activity. However, a hedge adjacent to the sidewalk creates a conned feel for

pedestrians. This section would benet from pedestrian treatments, organized street

furniture,andmorespaceforpedestrianactivity.Thissegmentshouldemphasizethe

culturaldestinationandguidepedestrianstoHowardUniversityandHowardUniversity

Hospital,aswellasotherimportantdestinations.

WStreettoBarryPlace

Currently this segment connes pedestrians and has high volumes of trafc (all

transportation modes). Organized street furniture and improved pedestrian ow are

needed.Thesegmentshouldemphasizetheculturaldestinationandguidepedestrians

toHowardUniversityandHowardUniversityHospitalasdistinctandimportant

destinations.

BarryPlacetoEuclidStreet

Thissegmentpresentsexistingobstaclesformultimodaltransportation,includingahigh

chain-linkfenceonthewestsideofGeorgiaAvenueandawallontheeastside.The

landscapingandplantingshouldcreatevarietyandevokeHowardUniversity.Streetscape

designelementsshouldberescaledtocreateapedestrianpaththroughartandlandscape.

Theheritageanddistinctivedesignelementsmentionedaboveshouldbecontinued,but

theyshouldtransitiontodesignelementsappropriateforresidentialandsmallbusinesses

alongthissegment.

FigureF-8:StreetFurnitureandDistinctivePlantings



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EuclidStreettoColumbiaRoad

Thissegmentcontainsseveralcurbcutsfordriveways.Inaddition,theexisting

pedestrianenvironmenthasvaryingsidewalkwidthsandcontainsbarriers(piperailings).Smallbusinessesandretailarelocatedinthissegment.Thepedestrianrealmneedstobe

improvedbyremovingthepiperailings,unnecessarystreetsignsandsidewalkobstacles,

enhancingpedestriancrossings,andpotentiallynarrowinglanewidthstoextendthe

sidewalkandshortenpedestriancrossings.Alleysshouldbeimprovedsodeliveriescan

bemovedoffofGeorgiaAvenue.

ColumbiaRoadtoNewHampshireAvenue

Thissegmentshouldcontinuethedistinctivethemeofthecorridorbutvarythedesign

elements to reect the design of New Hampshire Avenue and be consistent with the

priorities and intersection design expressed in the New Hampshire Avenue trafc study.

Cultural/Historical Destinations

The streetscape should reect, serve, and enhance the cultural and historical destination.

DistinctiveandComplementaryDesignElements:

Architecturalcontinuity

Detaileddesignandqualityconstruction

Culturalheritageplaquesandsigns

Streetfurniture

Alternatepavingmaterials

Plantings and landscaping provide outstanding opportunities for spatial denition

andthepositiveexpressionoflandscapecharacter

Publicart

BikerackdesignthatevokestheAfrican-Americanculturalthemeofthecorridor

Pedestrian-onlywalkway/plazastreet

Transitsheltersandfacilitieswithculturalandhistoricaldesign

Greenspace

FigureF-9:ExamplesofWideSidewalkswithLandscaping


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Cultural/HistoricalDestinationOpportunityAreas:

AnopportunityexistsattheSherman/Florida/Bryantintersectiontocreatea

complementarygatewaywithapublicart/performancespace/smallparkspace.Eventswouldnotbeprogrammed;ratherthiswouldbeaspacewherethecommunity

cangatherforoutdoormusic,artsandcraftsexhibits,andgames.

Anopportunityexistsforapedestrian-onlywalkwayorplazastreet,whichwould

serveasapromenadeforpedestriansalongthepotentialextensionsofBryantandW

Streets.

Opportunityareasshouldbefocusedatthefollowinglocations(seeFigureF-12):

Sherman/Florida/BryantAvenuesarea

SegmentfromFloridaAvenuetoBarryStreet

SegmentfromBarryStreettoEuclidStreet

FiguresF-13andF-14representtheDUKEplansvisionforGeorgiaAvenuefromFlorida

AvenuetoRhodeIslandAvenue.TheDUKEPlanseekstoguidefuturedevelopment

strategicallybycapitalizinguponthehistoriccontextofGeorgiaAvenuetorestorethis

areaintoacontemporaryuptownneighborhoodwith18-hourdestinations.TheDUKE

PlanhelpedtocreateavisionforpartofLowerGeorgiaAvenue,andisconsistentwith

DDOTsvisionforLowerGeorgiaAvenue.

A.

B.

C.

FigureF-11:CulturalHeritagePlaqueFigureF-10:DistinctiveLighting

Elements


FigureF-12:OpportunityAreaoftheLowerGeorgiaAvenueCorridor

A

B

C


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Gateways

Agatewayisademarcationprovidingavisualcuetotravelersthattheyareenteringan

area,district,orneighborhood.Gatewaysarecontextsensitiveandvarywidely.They

canbeindicatedbysimplesignsorspeciallandscapetreatmentsaswellaselaborateand

formalmarkers,suchasanobelisk,archway,orsculpture.Theycanalsobeestablished

experientiallythroughthesequentialplacementofseveralrelatedelements.Theintersection

ofGeorgiaandFloridaAvenuesprovidesanopportunityforagateway.

DistinctiveandComplementaryGatewayDesignElements:

Formal/dramaticdemarcation(suchasasculpture,arch,obelisk,orotherpublicart

form) that establishes the cultural/historical theme of the corridor and signies the

entranceofanewplace

DistinctivepavingfortheentireintersectionofGeorgiaandFloridaAvenues,including

theintersectionsinterior(box)

Cultural/specialmarking(suchasmusicnotes)onpedestriancrossingsatintersection

Streetfurniturethemeatintersection

Changinganddistinctivesignagethroughoutthecorridor

Transitstopsincorporatingculturalthemesthroughoutthecorridor

Plantingshungonlightpolestomarkentry

FigureF-14:StreetscapeRenderingfromtheDUKEPlan

FigureF-13:StreetscapeRenderingfromtheDUKEPlan

FigureF-15:AnExampleofGatewayDesign


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FigureF-16:VariousBicycleRackDesigns

Efcient Operation of All Modes

Multimodaloperationsshouldsupportthecorridorasavibrantculturalandhistorical

destinationaswellasawalkableplace.Transitandemergencyvehiclesmustbeabletooperate efciently.

DistinctiveandComplementaryDesignElements:

Modify lane congurations and geometry to accommodate all modes of

transportation

Coordinatepotentialgeometrychangeswithtransitsignalprioritization,dependingon analysis and modication

Ensure efcient operations and design for transit (including express bus) and

emergencyvehicles

Consolidatedrivewaysandeliminatecurbcutswherepossible

Side streets: add bike-detected loops to give bikes sufcient time at crossings

Maximizeon-streetparallelparkingandidentifyopportunitiesfordiagonalparking

cutouts,wherepossible

Identifyopportunitiesforpedestrianrefugeisland(s),whereappropriate

IntersectionAlternativesandOperationsAnalysis:

RoundaboutatFloridaandShermanAvenues

NoleftturnfromGeorgiaAvenuetoFloridaAvenue

DedicatedleftlaneonGeorgiaAvenuetoBryantPlacePedestrian signal timings review for sufciency and adjustment at key pedestrian

crossings

PedestrianSignalTimingprovidingpedestriantwosecondheadstartatkey

pedestriancrossings



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CorridorAlternativesandModelingScenarios:

RemoveparkingbetweenFloridaAvenueandBryantAvenue

ProvideTransit-onlylane

ProvideTransitandturning-onlylanes

ReviewHowardTownCentermodelandassumptions

Analyzeorigin-destinationhigh-quality,high-capacitycorridormaysupport

development goals of the place versus regional trafc passing through the corridor

FigureF-17:ExamplesofTransit-OnlyLanesinPractice


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ExistingConditionsG. Land Use

i. Existing Land Use and Developmentii. Proposed Land Use and Development

H. Existing Conditions - Transportation

i. Description of the Corridor

ii. Overview of Study Intersections

iii. Trafc Conditions

iv. Parking Conditions

v. Transit Facilities

vi. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities

vii. Safety

I. Existing Conditions - Public Realm

i. Sidewalks

ii. Lighting

iii. Street Furnishings

iv. History and Culture


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Existing Land Use and Development

TravelingnorthalongGeorgianeartheintersectionofFloridaAvenue,landuseisprimarilyinstitutionalaroundHoward

University,HowardUniversityHospital,andBannekerHigh

School.AclusterofretailbusinessesarelocatedatBarryPlace,

includingafast-foodrestaurantdrive-through,andBryantStreet,

includinganumberofsmallretailshops,acoffeeshop,anda

universitybookstore.

FromthevicinityofEuclidStreettravelingnorth,thewest

sideofGeorgiaAvenuecomprisessmallretailestablishments,

includingtake-outrestaurants,ahealthfoodstore,avideorental,

barbershops,automotiverepair,andconveniencestores.TheeastsideofGeorgiaAvenuecontainsuniversitybuildingsuntil

approximatelyHobartStreetwheresmallretailbusinessesare

located.

Proposed Land Use and Development

Overlay Zoning

The Ofce of Planning proposed that the zoning commission addanewcommercialoverlayzonefortheGeorgiaAvenue/Petworth

MetroStationarea.ThiszoningoverlayforGeorgiaAvenueis

partofastrategytoattractinvestment,createjobs,andenhance

thecorridorsimage.

FigureG-1:ExistingLandUseintheLowerGeorgiaAvenuecorridor

G. LandUse


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Thefollowingobjectivesoftheoverlaydistrictwereoutlinedinamemorandumfromthe

Ofce of Planning to the Zoning Commission (November 2006):

ImplementthegoalsoftheGreatStreetsFrameworkEncourageadditionalresidentialuses

Encourageimprovedcommercialuses

Providecommondesignstandards

Proposed Development

SeveralnewdevelopmentsareslatedforconstructionalongGeorgiaAvenue,whichwould

transformthecorridorintoaseriesofneighborhoodcoreswithvibrantanddiverseretail

centersandhigherqualitymultifamilyresidentialdevelopments.Examplesofthese

developmentsincludetheGeorgiaAvenue/PetworthMetrorailstationarea,theColumbia/Harvardintersections,andHowardTownCenter.

Mixed-usedevelopmentisbeingconstructedneartheGeorgiaAvenue/PetworthMetrorail

stationareawith148condominiumsand17,000squarefeetofretail.Amixofhigh-density

residentialdevelopmentandlocalretailservicesisproposedneartheColumbia/Harvard

intersections. Howard University will develop a signicant portion of its land into a

residential, ofce, and retail center to be called Howard Town Center, which will include

morethan300apartments,72,000squarefeetofretailincludingahigh-endgrocerystore,

and500publicparkingspaces.

Developmentsproposedorunder-constructionareshowninFiguresG-5andG-6.

Figure G-2: Planned Overlay Zoning District for Lower Georgia Avenue

LandUse

FigureG-3:GeorgiaAvenue/PetworthMetrorail

stationDevelopmentFigureG-4:HowardTownCenter

Development


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FigureG-5:NorthernPortionof

StudyArea

4136GeorgiaAvenueTheResidencesatGeorgia

Avenue-4100GeorgiaAvenue

NW

4000BlockWest-Georgia

AvenueNW

3910-3912GeorgiaAvenueNW

3800BlockWest-Georgia

AvenueNW(SafewaySite)

3800BlockEast-Georgia

AvenueNW

PetworthMetro-3700Block

GeorgiaAvenueNW

3600BlockGeorgiaAvenueNW3600BlockGeorgiaAvenueNW


AvenueNW


AvenueNW

LamontLoftsPhaseII-3300

BlockGeorgiaAvenueNW

LamontLoftsPhaseI-701

LamontStreetNW

1.2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

FigureG-6:SouthernPortionof

StudyArea

HowardTownCenterPhaseI-2100BlockGeorgiaAvenueNW

AtlanticPlumbingProperties

TheFloridia-9thStreet&

AvenueNW

TheRhapsody-2120Vermont

AvenueNW


HowardTownCenterPhaseI-

2100BlockGeorgiaAvenueNW

HousingFinanceAgencySite


WMATA-Shaw-Howard

UniversityParcelsWMATA-Shaw-Howard

UniversityParcels

1900Block8thStreetNW

WMATA-Shaw-Howard

UniversityParcels

DunbarTheatreApartments

NCRCParcel

ClevelandElementarySchool

HowardUniversity-Temporary

Ofces

BroadcastCenterOne

HowardTheatre-629TStreet

NWWonderBreadBuilding

NCRCParcel

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- Final Report

Description of the Corridor

Overview of Major Streets in the Study Area

GeorgiaAvenue

GeorgiaAvenue(US29),runsnorth-southandcontinuesintoMarylandwhereitbecomesMD 97. Georgia Avenue is classied as a primary arterial and is part of the National

HighwaySystem.ItconnectsWashingtonDCtoI-495andisoneofthe19primary

emergencyevacuation/eventroutes(Eroutes)intheDistrict,aswellasasnowemergencyroute. The 2002 average annual weekday trafc (AAWT) on Georgia Avenue was 21,400

vehicles.

Thepostedspeedlimitis30milesperhour(mph)withinthestudyarea.GeorgiaAvenue

hastwotravellanesineachdirectionwithparallelparkingalongthecurb.Themajorlanduseiscommercialwithsomeresidential.

FloridaAvenue

Atthesouthernboundaryofthestudyarea,FloridaAvenueisaprincipalarterial.The

westernterminusofFloridaAvenueisatPStreetand23rdStreet.Theeasternterminusis

atHStreet,NEandMarylandAvenueNE.Inthestudyarea,FloridaAvenuecarriesthree

westboundlanesandtwoeastboundlanesbetweenShermanAvenueandGeorgiaAvenue.

The2002AAWTwas27,500vehicles.

NewHampshireAvenue

NewHampshireAvenueisaminorarterialthatbeginsattheKennedyCenterandextends

northeastintoMarylandwhereitbecomesMD650.Inthestudyarea,NewHampshire

Avenuecarriestwolanesineachdirectionwithparallelon-streetparking.Thepostedspeed

limitis30mphwithinthestudyarea.

ShermanAvenue

ShermanAvenuerunsnorth-southfromitsnorthernterminusatNewHampshireAvenueto

itssouthernendatFloridaAvenue.Itisafour-laneroadwaywithon-streetparallelparking.

Duetoutilitywork,southboundShermanAvenueiscurrentlyreducedtoonelanebetween

H.ExistingConditions-Transportation

FigureH-1:GeorgiaAvenueNearNewHampshireAvenue


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KenyonStreetandIrvingStreetandbetweenGirardStreetandFairmontStreet.Parking

alongthestreetwithintheaboveportionsisrestrictedbetween7:00a.m.and6:00p.m.for

differentdays.Thepostedspeedlimitis25mph.The2002AAWTonShermanAvenuewas

16,000vehicles.

ColumbiaRoad

ColumbiaRoadisone-waywestboundwithtwotravellanesfromParkRoadtoConnecticut

Avenue.On-streetparkingisallowedonbothsidesofthestreet.The2002AAWTwas

4,500vehicles.Curbparkingonthesouthsideofthestreetisrestrictedtoresidentswith

a Zone 1 permit. Parking for others is limited to two hours between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30

p.m.,MondaythroughFriday.Onthenorthsideofthestreet,parkingisrestrictedbetween

thehoursof7:00a.m.and4:00p.m.,MondaythroughFriday.Themajorlandusealong

ColumbiaRoadisresidential.

HarvardStreet

HarvardStreetisone-wayeastboundfrom16thStreetto5thStreet.The2002AAWTwas

5,000 vehicles. Parking on both sides of the street is permitted for residences with a Zone

1permit.Forallothers,parkingisrestrictedtotwohoursbetween7:00a.m.and8:30p.m.,

MondaythroughFridayonthenorthsideofthestreet,andbetween9:30a.m.and4:00p.m.,

MondaythroughFridayonthesouthsideofthestreet.

IrvingStreet

IrvingStreetisone-wayeastboundfromAdamsMillRoadtoParkRoad.EastofParkRoad,

this street carries two-way trafc. The 2002 AAWT was 7,000 vehicles. Between ShermanAvenueNWandGeorgiaAvenueNWparkingispermittedonthenorthsideofthestreet.

However, the majority of this section is restricted to Zone 1 permit holders. Parking for all

othersislimitedtotwohoursbetween7:00a.m.and8:30p.m.MondaythroughFriday.A

shortsegment(30feet)onthenorthsideofthestreetattheeastendisrestrictedtothree-

hourparkingbetween7:00a.m.and6:30p.m.MondaythroughFriday.Onthesouthsideof

thestreet,parkingisrestrictedbetween7:00a.m.and6:30p.m.MondaythroughFriday.

KenyonStreet

KenyonStreetisone-waywestboundfromParkRoadto14thStreet.The2002AAWTwas

FigureH-2:GeorgiaAvenueFacingNorth


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5,100 vehicles. On the south side of the street, parking is restricted to Zone 1 permit holders.

Parkingforallothersislimitedtotwohoursbetween7:00a.m.and8:30p.m.Monday

throughFriday.Onthenorthside,parkingisrestrictedbetween7:00a.m.and9:30a.m.and

4:00p.m.to6:30p.m.MondaythroughFriday.

CollectorRoads

Theremainingstreetswithinthestudyareaarecollectorroadsandareasfollows:Otis

Place,NewtonPlace,MortonStreet,LamontStreet,HobartPlace,GreshamPlace,Girard

Street,FairmontStreet,EuclidStreet,BarryPlace,VStreet,8thStreet,and9thStreet.

Overview of the Study Intersections

Trafc (vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle) data were collected at the following 13

intersections:

GeorgiaAvenueatNewHampshireAvenue

GeorgiaAvenueatParkRoad

GeorgiaAvenueatIrvingStreet

GeorgiaAvenueatHarvardStreet

GeorgiaAvenueatBarryPlace

GeorgiaAvenueatBryantStreet

GeorgiaAvenueatWStreet

GeorgiaAvenueatFloridaAvenue

NewHampshireAvenueatSpringRoad

NewHampshireAvenueatMonroeStreet/ParkRoad/ShermanAvenue

ShermanAvenueatKenyonStreet

ShermanAvenueatColumbiaRoad

FloridaAvenueatVermontAvenue

Georgia Avenue at New Hampshire Avenueisasix-legintersection.Theadditionaltwo

legsoftheintersectionareformedbyRockCreekChurchRoad.TheRockCreekChurch

ExistingConditions-Transportation

FigureH-3:FloridaAvenueFacingWest

FigureH-4:NewHampshireAvenueFacingNortheast


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Roadlegsareone-way,leavingtheintersectioninopposingdirections.Theintersectionis

signal-controlledwithtwo-phasemovements:GeorgiaAvenuefollowedbyNewHampshire

Avenue.Pedestriancrossingsaremarkedonallapproaches.BothNewHampshireAvenue

and Georgia Avenue are four-lane roadways. A painted median separates trafc on NewHampshireAvenue.TheGeorgiaAvenue-PetworthMetrorailstationandadjacentbusstops

generatepedestrianvolumeatthisintersection.

Georgia Avenue at Park Roadisanoffsetintersection.Theintersectioniscontrolledby a trafc signal with two-phase movements. Pedestrian crosswalks are marked on all

approacheswithpedestriansignalindications.

Georgia Avenue at Irving Streetisathree-phasesignal-controlledintersectionwith

aleadingleft-turnphasesouthbound.IrvingStreetisone-wayeastbound.Pedestrian

indicationsandmarkedcrosswalksareprovidedforallcrossings.Theeastboundapproach

of Irving Street contains rumble strips to slow trafc.

Georgia Avenue at Harvard Streetisaskewedintersectionwiththeeastapproachof

HarvardStreetintersectingGeorgiaAvenueata30-degreeangle.HarvardStreetisone-way

eastbound with two lanes. The intersection is controlled by a two-phase trafc signal with

pedestrianindicationsandmarkedcrosswalks.

Georgia Avenue at Barry Place is a T intersection controlled by a three-phase trafc

signal.Anorthboundleft-turnarrowfollowstheGeorgiaAvenuethroughmovement.

BarryPlacehasaone-laneapproacheastbound.Pedestriansignalindicationsandmarked

crosswalksareprovidedforallcrossings.Theintersectionisoneofthehighestpedestrian

volumeintersectionsinthestudyarea.

Georgia Avenue at Bryant Street isaTintersectioncontrolledbyatwo-phasesignal.

BryantStreetisone-wayeastbound.Pedestriansignalindicationsandmarkedcrosswalks

areprovidedforallcrossings.

Georgia Avenue at W Street isaTintersectioncontrolledbyatwo-phasesignal.W

Streetisone-waywestbound.Pedestriansignalindicationsandmarkedcrosswalksare

providedforallcrossings.

FigureH-5:ShermanAvenueFacingNorth


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Georgia Avenue at Florida Avenueiscontrolledbyathree-phasesignalwithaprotected

southboundleft-turnphase.Pedestriansignalindicationsandmarkedcrosswalksare

providedforallcrossings.Thisintersectionhasthehighestpedestrianandbicyclevolumesinthestudyarea.Twobusstopsarelocatedonthesouthwestandnortheastcornersofthe

intersection.TwoadditionalbusstopsareoneachsideofFloridaAvenue.

New Hampshire Avenue at Spring Road / Princeton Placecurrentlyisastop-controlled

intersection,althoughithasbeensignal-controlledinthepast.NewHampshireAvenue

operatesfreely,andtheSpringRoadapproachiscontrolledbyastopsign.Novehicles

approachtheintersectionviaPrincetonPlacebecauseitisone-wayeastboundleavingthe

intersection.

New Hampshire Avenue at Sherman Avenue / Monroe Street / Park Road is a ve-

leg intersection controlled by a two-phase signal. The fth leg, Park Road, carries one-way trafc westbound out of the intersection. Pedestrian signal indications and marked

crosswalksareprovidedforallcrossings.

Sherman Avenue at Kenyon Street isafour-legintersectionwithKenyonStreetlimitedto one-way westbound trafc. A two-phase signal controls intersection movements. No

pedestriansignalindicationisprovided,butmarkedcrosswalksarelocatedatallcrossings.

Sherman Avenue at Columbia Roadisasignal-controlledintersectionwithtwo-phase

movement.ColumbiaRoadisone-waywestbound.Pedestrianphasesareprovidedforall

crossings.

Florida Avenue at Vermont AvenueisaTintersectioncontrolledbyatwo-phasesignal.LeftturnsareprohibitedfromnorthboundFloridaAvenueontoVermontAvenue.No

pedestriansignalindicationisprovidedforthisintersection.Crosswalksaremarkedacross

VermontAvenueandFloridaAvenueonthenorthsideoftheintersection.


FigureH-6:ShermanAvenueatMonroeStreetandParkRoad


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Trafc Conditions

Data Collection and Analysis

Turning-movementcountswerecollectedformid-daypeak,PMpeak,andSaturday(SAT)

periods at 13 intersections. Seven-day automatic vehicle speed and classication counts

wererecordedatfourlocations.Aparkinginventoryandparking-demandsurveywere

conducted,alongwithalimitedorigin-destinationstudy.Crashdatawasobtainedfrom

DDOT.

Turning Movement Volumes

ManualturningmovementcountswereconductedonTuesday,Wednesday,orThursdayfrom

11:00a.m.to2:00p.m.forthemiddaycountsand3:30p.m.to6:30p.m.forthePMpeakcounts.Saturdaycountswereconductedonnon-holidaySaturdaysfrom10:00a.m.to2:00

p.m.Thecountsincludedvehicle,pedestrian,andbicyclemovements.Turning-movement

data were also obtained from a previous New Hampshire Avenue trafc study, which did

notincludepedestrianorbicyclevolumes.Themid-day,PM,andSaturdaypeakhour

volumesareshowninFiguresH-8throughH-10.

Theturning-movementvolumedataindicatethatthePMpeakvolumesarehigherthanmid-

daypeakvolumesforallofthestudyintersections.TheintersectionofGeorgiaAvenueat

BarryPlace,locatednearHowardUniversity,hasthehighestSaturdayvehiclevolume.

AreasadjacenttoHowardUniversityandHowardUniversityHospital,aswellasthe

intersectionofGeorgiaAvenueatFloridaAvenue,havethehighestpedestrianactivityinthestudyarea.

ThehighestbicyclevolumeisattheintersectionofGeorgiaAvenueandFloridaAvenue

duringthePMpeakandSATpeakperiods.

FigureH-7:ShermanAvenueNearFloridaAvenue


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FigureH-8:Mid-dayPeak-HourIntersectionVolumes

FigureH-10:SaturdayPeak-HourIntersectionVolumes

FigureH-9:PMPeak-HourIntersectionVolumes


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Parking

Parking Inventory

On-streetparkingwasinventoriedforallarterialandcollectorroadsinthestudyarea.The

numberofparkingspaces,andanyparkingrestrictionswerenotedforeachroadway.The

parkinginventorywasusedtoevaluatethetotalparkingcapacityontheroads.Throughout

thestudyarea,on-streetparkingisrestrictedinsomewayforallofthestudiedroadways.

Themostcommontypesofparkingrestrictionsinvolvetime-regulatedparkinginresidential

zonesandmeteredparking.On-streetparkingisalsoprohibitedduringdesignatedstreet-

cleaningperiods.Inaddition,on-streetparkinginsomelocationsisprohibitedentirely.

Metered parking is regulated by meters that limit parking to one, two, three, or ve hours.Residential zone parking is designated as Zone 1, Zone 4, or overlapped (Zones 1 and

4).Forthisstudy,allmeteredparkingspaceswerecounted.Parkingspacesrestrictedby

distanceorzone(e.g.,time-regulatedparking),werecalculatedbyconvertingthedistance

betweenparkingrestrictionsignstothenumberofvehiclesthatcouldparkwithinthis

distanceusinganassumptionof25feetpervehicle.

Parking Demand

Parkingdemandreferstotheamountofparkingusedataparticulartime,place,andprice.

It is a critical factor in evaluating parking efciency. The parking demand data collectedforthisstudyfocusedonon-streetparkingalongShermanAvenueandGeorgiaAvenue.

Todeterminetheweekdaydailyparkingdemand,theoccupancyoftheavailableparking

spacesalongShermanAvenueandGeorgiaAvenueinsidethestudyareawerecountedand

documentedeachhourbetween6:30a.m.and6:30p.m.onWednesday,December15,2006.

Parking demand also reects parking adequacy, which indicates whether sufcient parking

existsataparticulartimeandlocation.Theratioderivedfromdemandversuscapacity

showstherelationshipbetweenparkingneedandsupply.Parkingcapacityisderivedfrom

theavailableparkingspacescountedintheinventory.Aratiogreaterthanoneindicatesthat

parkingdemandinaparticularlocationandataparticulartimeexceedsparkingcapacity.

FigureH-11:ParkingonGeorgiaAvenue


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Transit Facilities

Anumberofpublictransportationmodesservethestudyarea:

Metrobusroutes70/71,66,68,and79travelnorth-south.

MetrobusroutesH1,H2,H3,H4,H8,andX3traveleast-west.

Metrorailhasastopateachendofthestudyarea.

-Inthenorth,theGeorgiaAvenuePetworthStationisneartheintersectionof

GeorgiaAvenueandNewHampshireAvenue.

-Inthesouth,theAfrican-AmericanCivilWarMemorial/CardozoStationisatU

Streetand11thStreet.

Bus

The70/71routes(theGeorgiaAvenueand7thStreetLine)servesGeorgiaAvenueinboth

directions.TheSilverSpringStationisatthenorthernendofthislineadjacenttotheDC

/Marylandborder.ThesouthernendofthelineisatBuzzardPoint,whichisnorthofthe

AnacostiaRiver.The70/71routestopsatthreelocationsinsidethestudyarea:Georgia

AvenueatNewHampshireAvenue,GeorgiaAvenueatIrvingStreet,andGeorgiaAvenueat

FloridaAvenue.

The66,68routes(thePetworth11thStreetLine)beginsinthenorthattheGeorgiaAvenue

PetworthStationattheintersectionofGeorgiaAvenueatQuincyStreet.Itssouthern

terminusisatFederalTriangleStation,whichisnear10th/12thStreetatConstitution

Avenue.Inthestudyarea,onlyroute68servesShermanAvenue.

Theroute66isnotinthestudyarea.Thisrouterunsalong11thStreet,whichisparallelto

ShermanAvenue.Routes66and68divergeattheintersectionofNewHampshireAvenueat

MonroeStreetandconvergeattheintersectionof11thStreetatVermontAvenue.

Theroute68beginsattheGeorgiaAvenuePetworthStationandmakesonestopatSherman

AvenueatIrvingStreet.ItsnextstopisatVermontAvenueatUStreet,whichisjustoutside

andsouthwestofthestudyarea.

FigureH-12:WMATABusandRailRoutesintheStudyArea



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ThenewMetroExtraBRTservice(79line)operatesalongGeorgiaAvenuewithaheadway

of10minutesduringPMpeakhours.The70/71linetakesapproximatelyonehourtotravel

through54busstopsalongthecorridorfromArchivestoSilverSpring.Thetraveltimeof

the79lineisdecreasedtoapproximately45minutesthrough15busstops.

Metrorail Facilities

TheMetrorailGreenLinerunningbetweentheGreenbeltandBranchAvenueStations

hasthreestopsnearthestudyarea.TheUStreet/African-AmericanCivilWarMemorial/

CardozoStationisatthesouthernendofthestudyarea.TheColumbiaHeightsStation

isat14thStreetandIrvingStreetonthewestsideofthestudyarea.TheGeorgiaAvenue

PetworthStationisatGeorgiaAvenueandNewHampshireAvenueatthenorthendofthe

studyarea.

Bicycle Facilities

Bicyclistsinthestudyareamustcurrentlysharelaneswithmotorvehiclesorrideonthe

sidewalk,exceptintheeasternedgeofthestudyareaon4thStreetandWarderStreetwhere

bikelaneshavebeeninstalled.Itcanbedangerousforbicycliststosharelaneswithmotor

vehicles,especiallywhenbicyclistsaretravelingbetweenmovingandparkedvehicles.

Mixingbicyclesandpedestriansonalimitedsidewalkareacanalsobedangerous.The

bicycleroutemapshowingcurrentbicyclefacilitiesinthestudyareaisfoundintheDistrict

ofColumbiaBicycleMasterPlan.AnenlargedmapisshowninFigureH-13.

SignedbicycleroutesareonNewHampshireAvenue,LamontStreet,KenyonStreet,

ColumbiaRoad,andHarvardStreet.Asignedbicyclerouteistypicallydesignatedalong

morelightlytraveledresidentialorsecondaryroadsthatmayfollowthesamegeneral

corridorasmoreheavilytraveledarterialhighways.Theroutesareindicatedbysignsthat

may or may not have a specic route number.

FigureH-17showsthatthepercentageofpeoplewhoprefertocommutebybicycleishigher

inthecentralpartofthestudyareathaninotherpartsofthestudyarea.

Themid-day,PM,andSaturdaypeakhourbicyclevolumesbyintersectionareshownin

FigureH-13:BicycleRoutesintheVicinityoftheStudyArea


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FigureH-14:Mid-dayPeak-HourBicycleVolumes

FigureH-16:SaturdayPeak-HourBicycleVolumes

FigureH-15:PMPeak-HourBicycleVolumes


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FiguresH-14throughH-16.

Pedestrian Facilities

Mosteast-weststreetsinthestudyareaareresidential.ShermanAvenueisprimarily

residentialwithsporadiccommercialsites.GeorgiaAvenuehasahighnumberof

pedestriansbecauseitcontainsprimarilycommercialandacademicusesmixedwithsome

residentialareas.Thewidthofasidewalkisaprimeindicatorofitspedestriancapacityand

pedestrianfriendliness.

Themid-day,PM,andSaturdaypeakhourpedestrianvolumesbyintersectionareshownin

FiguresH-18throughH-20.

Accident Summary

Toassessthesafetyconditionsinthestudyarea,accidentsummaryreportsfor20032005

wereobtainedforintersectionsalongShermanAvenueandGeorgiaAvenue.Theaccident

summaryreportslistedaccidentsbycollisiontype(s),andthetimeoftheoccurrence.The

dataindicatedthat2004hadmoreaccidentsthaneither2003or2005forbothofthetwo

corridors.Thetotalnumberofinjuriesonbothcorridorsshowedanincreaseeachyearfrom

2003to2005.

FigureH-17:PercentageofWorkerswhoCommutebyBicycletoJobsintheStudy

Area


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FigureH-18:Mid-dayPeak-HourPedestrianVolumes

FigureH-20:SaturdayPeak-HourPedestrianVolumes

FigureH-19:PMPeak-HourPedestrianVolumes



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FigureH-21:CrashDatafromDDOT

AccidentSummaryReport*

FigureH-22:PedestrianAccidentData

(2002-2004)fromDDOT

*Crashdatamissingforthefollowingintersections:GeorgiaAvenueandFloridaAvenue;ShermanAvenue

andGreshamPlace;ShermanAvenueandHobartPlace;ShermanAvenueandMortonStreet.


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- Final Report

Streetscape and Urban Design

Sidewalks

Sidewalkconditionsvarygreatlyfromgoodtoverypoor.SidewalkwidthsonGeorgia

Avenuerangefromfourtosixfeet,dependingonlocation.FromFloridaAvenuetoW

Street, the sidewalk is typically sufcient for pedestrian activity. However, a hedge exists

adjacent to the sidewalk creating a conned feel for pedestrians. From W Street to Barry

Place, there are tight sidewalks widths in front of Wonder Plaza, thus resulting in inefcient

pedestrian ows. North of Barry Place, although the sidewalks are wide in this area, there is

ahighchain-linkfenceonthewestsideofGeorgiaAvenueandawalloneastsideofGeorgia

Avenuelimitingthepedestrianexperience.FromEuclidStreettoColumbiaRoad,sidewalk

widths

Georgia Ave Study FINAL 090630 Copy

Documents

Transcript of Georgia Ave Study FINAL 090630 Copy