Land use and development experts to study and present recommendations on evolving Van Ness

The Days Inn parking structure, Zips, and the former Burger King are in the study area. (2015 photo)

For two days next week, a panel of eight experts on land use, design and development will study the Connecticut Avenue commercial strip between Albemarle and Tilden Streets. They will consider strategies for enhancing neighborhood vibrancy and making Van Ness a hub of commercial, community and cultural activity.

And at the end, the panel will present its findings to the sponsors of the exercise: UDC and Van Ness Main Street.

Says Van Ness Main Street: “Van Ness is a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood but it faces several economic development challenges, navigating growth amidst several urban and community constraints. As we work towards addressing these challenges, we are committed to helping to keep the community informed.”

(Forest Hills Connection is an editorially independent program of Van Ness Main Street.)

The Washington-area district council of the Urban Land Institute is bringing in the experts for site tours and to interview stakeholders. The public is welcome to attend the final session of their two day workshop, at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20th. That’s when members of the panel will reveal their recommendations and answer questions.

Interested in attending in person? The location is the Windows Lounge, room 207 in UDC’s Building 38. If you’re not familiar with the campus, don’t worry. Volunteers will be posted at the UDC Student Center (4200 Connecticut Avenue) to direct you to the meeting spot.

Attending online? Here’s the Zoom link.

Van Ness Main Street is requesting RSVPs.

More details are in the press release:

Join the Conversation: Experts to Present Vision for Connecticut Ave. Redevelopment at
UDC

On February 19 and 20, eight land use, design and development experts will gather at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) for a two-day exercise in pursuit of a strategy for neighborhood redevelopment. This exercise – a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) run by ULI Washington, the local District Council of the Urban Land Institute – will examine key opportunity parcels along Connecticut Ave. NW between Tilden St. NW and Albemarle St. NW and will develop an approach to enhance vibrancy through retail and housing initiatives, improved transit accessibility, and expanded arts and cultural programming.

The ULI panel of experts will deliver recommendations to the sponsors of this effort – UDC and Van Ness Main Street – on how to leverage key parcels within the study area along Connecticut Ave. NW, including the former Intelsat headquarters. Additional support for this project comes from Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund.

The panel’s final presentation of recommendations will be open to the public. Members of the community who wish to participate are invited to join in person on Thursday, February 20 from 3:30 to 5:00pm at the Windows Lounge (Building 38 Room 207) [accessible via] UDC’s Student Center located at 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW or virtually using this Zoom link.