The Monumental Core Framework Plan: Connecting New Destinations with the National Mall guides decisions and investment over the next 30 years to transform four predominantly federal precincts surrounding the National Mall. The Framework Plan seeks to protect the National Mall from overuse; create distinctive settings for new memorials and museums; provide more vibrant and sustainable places to visit, work and live; and improve connections between the National Mall, the downtown, and the waterfront.
NCPC in partnership with the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts coordinated development of the Framework Plan with three adjacent planning efforts.
New pedestrian bridges across the Washington Channel could connect East Potomac Park to Washington's southern neighborhoods. New wetlands could help to improve water management.
Redesign of the Forrestal Complex and environs could provide an opportunity to reconnect the National to the waterfront and develop 20-acres showcasing high-performance infrastructure, building, and landscape practices.
Background and Context
The Framework Plan provides more in-depth analysis and tools to advance the Legacy Plan's goals to relieve development pressure on the National Mall; better integrate federal development with city life; and support a diversifying local economy, growing population, and expanding downtown. It seeks to remove or minimize infrastructure barriers and address the unintended consequences of some past development decisions. The Framework Plan responds to executive and legislative policies to use federal land, facilities and resources more efficiently and sustainably. It complements plans for adjacent areas: the National Park Service's National Mall Plan, the District of Columbia's Center City Action Agenda, and the Architect of the Capitol's Capitol Complex Master Plan.
- Enliven federal office building precincts with a mix of uses, new public spaces, and great streets.
- Transform underused sites into prominent destinations.
- Protect the National Mall from overuse and enhance the setting of distinctive public spaces for future memorials and cultural attractions.
- Improve pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit links among revitalized precincts, the National Mall, and the city center.
- Restore important vistas, streets, and squares to seamlessly connect Washington's federal and local civic destinations.
Key Information
- Prepared by:
National Capital Planning Commission
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
in cooperation with 15 federal and local agencies - Adopted by CFA: March 19, 2009
- Accepted by NCPC: April 2, 2009
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Current
The Framework Plan includes an action agenda to advance near- and long-term opportunities to achieve its goals and objectives, several of which are underway. The SW Ecodistrict Plan (2013) is a planning initiative to use federal land and facilities more efficiently and improve the 10th Street, SW and Banneker Overlook connections. A related project includes relocation of the International Spy Museum to L’Enfant Plaza. The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative is an effort to develop a vision for how the avenue can meet local and national needs in a 21st century capital city. Related projects include the Federal Triangle Cultural Heritage Trail, as well as the transformative FBI headquarters site redevelopment and Old Post Office conversion. The Comprehensive Plan’s Federal Elements (updated in 2016) include policy guidance informed by the plan. The Framework Plan is also an important reference document for NCPC project review.
Plan Chapters
Introduction
Overview and summary of the plan's goals and objectives.
Context
Summary of historic, current, and complementary planning efforts.
Guiding Themes and Strategies
Identifies six themes and how best to achieve them.
Southwest Rectangle
Establish a mixed use neighborhood and connect the city's downtown with the National Mall and the Potomac riverfront.
Potomac Park
Reimagine the park as a unique destination; a prestigious extension of the National Mall; and a setting of extraordinary beauty and sweeping waterfront vistas.
Northwest Rectangle
Create a place of beautiful and monumental institutions within a cohesive park network that can become an accessible and walkable cultural destination and workplace.
Federal Triangle
A mix of activities and engaging public spaces can increase the federal triangle's appeal and strengthen Pennsylvania Avenue's role as America's preeminent ceremonial boulevard.
Action Agenda
Identifies organizational and funding tools, in addition to proposing a series of next steps and recommend priorities.
