A New Vision for the Avenue
Reimagining the Avenue
The National Capital Planning Commission and its federal and local partners are excited to share a new vision for Pennsylvania Avenue as a pre-eminent event location and as a dynamic, accessible public space, contributing to downtown’s economic and community revitalization and elevating the Avenue’s national identity. Three design concepts explore different ways to achieve the vision that balance opportunities for significant events, every-day open space, and as a multi-modal transportation corridor.
Introduction
Pennsylvania Avenue is the nation's preeminent ceremonial boulevard.
It spans 1.2 miles between the White House and U.S. Capitol and features 40 acres of public space and a cohesive streetscape that links its parks and plazas and unifies its varied sidewalk and building conditions.
The Avenue’s urban form and character is one-of-a-kind; it offers an iconic vista, monumental scale, generous paved areas, transit and pedestrian access, and a sequence of public spaces framed by significant buildings.
The Avenue is the District’s and the nation’s place to come together to celebrate, commemorate, and recognize America’s rich social, cultural, and political moments and events.
Pre-pandemic, the Avenue hosted an average of 150 mostly local and regional events per year.
WHAT IF it could do so much more?
The roadway can be resized and realigned to increase the amount of usable and flexible public space for pedestrian comfort and engagement.
The roadway can be redesigned to devote more space for people, bicyclists, and transit, and less space for cars.
The location and surrounding mix of land uses is conducive for events. The Avenue has low traffic volumes, and there is great access to transit. The concentration of office uses means the Avenue is least populated during typical event times, on weekends and evenings.
It’s also a viable alternative to the National Mall for hosting large scale events and has the potential to attract major events, including local, regional, national, and international audiences.
The Vision
The proposed vision is for the Avenue as a Venue that celebrates its civic role and spirit of democracy; creates an inspiring public realm; and modernizes infrastructure to make the Avenue a great street and an iconic destination.
The Concepts
Three concepts explore different ways to achieve the vision of the Avenue as a Venue, while also proposing approaches for its everyday use as an Avenue.
As a Venue, each concept aims to create a diverse and inclusive national stage for arts, culture, entertainment, education, and civic life—where visitors are welcomed, inspired, and uplifted.
As an Avenue, each concept uniquely improves public space to be more usable and flexible, and prioritizes pedestrians, bikes, and transit over cars to enhance daily use; achieve sustainability goals; and support a range of programming opportunities.
The Urban Capital Concept Expanded sidewalks provide room for unique and varied pedestrian “pockets” and places for kiosks, vendors, and activities.
The Linear Green Concept Pedestrian paths weave through the linear park landscape, creating informal areas for seating and recreation.
The Civic Stage Concept A grand central promenade provides pedestrian space with U.S. Capitol views extending the length of the Avenue.
A 2018 District of Columbia transportation study concluded that 20 feet of the Avenue’s current roadway cross section (shown below) could be allocated to other uses, while maintaining an acceptable level of service for vehicles.
These three concepts explore different ways to “right-size” and realign the roadway to:
- Increase the amount of usable and flexible public space.
- Provide multiple transportation options to devote more space for people, bicyclists, and transit, and less space for cars. Each concept also accommodates car travel differently.
- Accommodate the Inaugural Parade.
Urban Capital is closest to the existing condition—it uses the surplus roadway to expand the sidewalks with pedestrian amenities, while accommodating travel lanes for cars, transit, and bikes.
Linear Green eliminates the car travel lanes, prioritizes transit and bikes, and uses the surplus roadway to transform the sidewalk area into a curbless pedestrian park.
Civic Stage uses the surplus roadway to create a central pedestrian promenade running the length of the Avenue, flanked by bike and travel lanes.
Urban Rooms
The demand for high quality “destination” public spaces with amenities and programming is increasing with recent changes in downtown Washington’s economy and real estate market.
The three concepts propose designing and programming three significant public spaces, or “urban rooms,” for a range of activities with retail services and amenities. The three urban rooms are the Western End, Market Square, and the Eastern End.
Urban Room map for Western End, Market Square, and Eastern End.
Each concept looks at the design of the three urban rooms differently. However, each approach aims to increase usable area, provide flexibility, enhance the public space for everyday use, and explore how the space can host extraordinary special events.
Western End
The Western End, between 13th and 15th Streets, NW includes Pershing Park and Freedom Plaza, with the Wilson Building and the White House Visitor Center to the south, and the National Theatre to the north.
Freedom Plaza supports special events and large gatherings, as well as informal use by skateboarders, dancers, and exercise groups. However, the elevated plaza is surrounded by streets, limiting use, and lacks amenities and a sense of human scale to sustain daily activities.
Each concept modifies the urban room’s roadway alignment, vehicular circulation, and open spaces to enhance the iconic vista and improve and increase event space and programming.
Urban Capital restores the Avenue’s historic alignment and provides two bow-tie open spaces that create a new Wilson Building Plaza and National Theatre Park. A curbless street allows the space to easily expand for events.
Linear Green routes transit south of a new park that creates usable and flexible open space in front of the National Theatre.
Civic Stage routes traffic north of the public space, creating a new Wilson Building Plaza and a prominent entry for the White House Visitor Center. A shared lane retains access to these adjoining uses.
As a Venue Idea: The new plaza can flexibly expand the usable event space to extend to the adjacent buildings. Temporarily rerouting traffic can extend event activity down the Avenue and into the Federal Triangle's Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
This shows an example of a multi-day flower festival in the Western End.
Market Square
Market Square between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, is at the heart of the Avenue. The National Archives is located to the south, while the U.S. Navy Memorial is to the north.
The diverse land use mix, Metro station, and multiple bus routes make this one of the Avenue’s most active locations. But it could be a more vibrant destination with better pedestrian amenities and connections to the National Archives and the National Mall.
Each concept improves connections between the plazas flanking the Avenue to draw activity across the street, enhance walkability, and increase event space and programming.
Urban Capital adds a new mid block pedestrian crossing on the 8th Street axis to improve pedestrian circulation and activity.
Linear Green closes the Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW to vehicular use and adds programmable space to the south to create a new central urban park for pedestrian activity.
Civic Stage has a new, generous mid-block pedestrian crossing. Together with the center promenade and programmable space to the south next to the National Archives, a new central square is created.
As a Venue Idea: Temporary closures between 7th and 9th Streets, NW and along the 8th Street axis create a cohesive event space with a stunning backdrop of views to the National Archives, National Portrait Gallery, and the U.S. Capitol.
An example of a weekend community celebration.
Eastern End
The Eastern End between 3rd and 6th Streets, NW is closest to the National Mall and is anchored with important educational, institutional, and cultural destinations. The National Gallery of Art’s East and West Buildings are located to the south.
This location offers some of the best views of the U.S. Capitol. However, the expansive roadway and large setbacks can be overwhelming, and a lack of programming makes it hard to sustain street activity.
Each concept aims to improve pedestrian scale and walkability, simplify the roadway intersection, and increase usable areas for temporary and permanent event programming.
Urban Capital retains the current intersection alignment and adds a generous crosswalk at 4th Street, NW to improve connections between the National Mall and downtown.
Linear Green realigns Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues and permanently closes 4th Street, NW to improve connections; create a more usable and flexible space; and activate the area between the galleries.
Civic Stage tunnels Constitution Avenue under Pennsylvania Avenue and closes 4th Street, NW to improve connections and create a sequence of public spaces for permanent programming adjacent to the galleries and for multi-day events.
As a Venue Idea: Straightening Constitution Avenue’s alignment and adding a permanent closure at 4th Street, NW creates a spacious main area for large events and opportunities to expand event space to adjacent streets and open spaces.
An example of a seasonal winter festival.
U.S. Capitol Transition
The Avenue extends east of 3rd Street, NW, as a parking lot terminating at the Peace Monument on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
While this segment is not part of the study area, each concept imagines this transition to address the importance of the Avenue’s continuity and arrival experience at the U.S. Capitol.
Urban Capital replaces the center row of angled parking with a landscaped median to create a welcoming entry to the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
Linear Green removes all parking east of 3rd Street, NW, transforming the street into a garden gateway with a high-performing landscape.
Civic Stage replaces angled parking with parallel parking along the curbs and extends the center promenade to create a ceremonial entrance to the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
A Mile-Long Venue
The urban rooms, in combination with the corridor, can combine to transform the Avenue into a mile-long venue. This provides the opportunity to host multi-day events and/or events with a heavy footprint.
A center promenade could provide ample space for festival structures and visitors, potentially allowing some travel lanes to remain open or be used for additional programming support.
This shows an example of a month-long cultural festival.
A Stroll
Beginning at the Western End and heading east towards the U.S. Capitol, this virtual stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue imagines the everyday character and street level scenes for each concept.
Urban Capital – A Stroll Down the Avenue
Urban Capital creates an innovative and adaptable destination for local activity that can easily support rotating kiosks and vendors to meet the changing needs of various user groups.
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1
Western End
At the Western End, a new plaza welcomes visitors to the Wilson Building. Covered workspaces integrate smart technology and amenities; and a curbless condition slows down cars and refocuses attention to the Avenue’s center.
2
Central Corridor
Along the corridor, a variety of seating and amenities supports a range of activities and provides locations for commercial kiosks to activate the Avenue. These areas can accommodate small events and extend indoor uses outside.
3
Market Square
A generous mid-block pedestrian crossing connects two spacious plazas, with seating, shade, and educational kiosks.
4
Eastern End
An expanded pedestrian crossing at 4th Street, NW connects the National Mall with John Marshall Park and downtown. Gracious sidewalks provide space for programming and art.
5
U.S. Capitol Transition
Public art and an informational kiosk punctuate this space. Street trees frame and extend the formality of the vista to the U.S. Capitol.
Linear Green - A Stroll down the Avenue
Linear Green transforms the Avenue into an urban linear park, celebrating environmental health and wellness for all Americans, and showcasing the Avenue’s ecological history and sustainability best practices.
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Western End
The Western End is an informal green refuge, where generous sidewalks and lawn provide space for gathering, recreation, and special events. The tree canopy frames the vista of the U.S. Capitol drawing visitors through the park.
2
Central Corridor
Sidewalks, street trees, stormwater landscapes, and mobile commerce weave through the central corridor, creating comfortable places to walk, sit, work, and gather.
3
Market Square
A new sustainable park at the heart of the Avenue connects downtown and the National Mall. People can use the park to gather, play, and relax, with dramatic views of the U.S. Capitol.
4
Eastern End
A new intersection and closure of 4th Street, NW create a new interactive and family-focused park between the galleries and connect John Marshall Park and the National Mall extending areas for play and relaxation.
5
U.S. Capitol Transition
Parking is replaced with a garden and high-performance landscape, creating a stronger gateway between the Avenue and the U.S. Capitol that showcases sustainable and resilient practices.
Civic Stage – A Stroll down the Avenue
Civic Stage features a promenade and backdrop for diverse, engaging, and inspirational events that are supported by a curated mix of seating, functional art, and developed landscapes. An integrated infrastructure supports events, installations, and civic discourse.
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1
Western End
At the Western End, a welcoming civic plaza extends across a shared street to the steps of the Wilson Building. The U.S. Capitol provides a landmark backdrop for a central stage with seating and performance space and a popular spot for lunches and group activities.
2
Central Corridor
A distinctive promenade with rotating art installations and other cultural elements showcases framed views to the Capitol. Removable planters with seating protect the pedestrian path and provide an opportunity to sit and enjoy an outdoor exhibit.
3
Market Square
A generous mid- block crossing joins the median, with seating framing the promenade in front of the National Archives, helping to draw activity across the Avenue.
4
Eastern End
The Constitution Avenue tunnel creates an expansive plaza and pedestrian space with seating and shade. The sidewalks can easily extend to the center promenade, creating a flexible space that can accommodate a range of events and activities.
5
U.S. Capitol Transition
A consistent streetscape palette extends the Avenue’s character across 3rd Street, NW through to the U.S. Capitol Grounds. Rotating civic art and installations in the median continue the promenade experience to the Peace Monument.
Next Steps
While developing concepts for long-term improvements, federal and District agencies are making efforts to implement improvements in the near- and mid-term that can show quick returns with modest investment. Important events are on the horizon—a Presidential Inauguration in 2025 and the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026 provide opportunities and incentive to use pilot projects to test new ideas.
These future improvements can be implemented over time. Any one of the public spaces or the corridor can be phased in any order according to priority and need.
NEAR TERM - Pilot Projects
Potential locations for pilot projects to test feasibility of future improvements.
MID-TERM – Event-Related Infrastructure
Potential locations for infrastructure upgrades to ready the Avenue for upcoming national events.
LONG TERM - Improve Over Time
Improvements to the urban rooms and the corridor can be sequenced and phased based on future needs/priorities.
Share Your Thoughts!
- What do you think of the vision and the three potential concepts to achieve it?
- What ideas from each would you mix and match to create your own vision for the Avenue?
Let us know what you think. Your input will help determine how to evolve and refine these concepts to move forward for further study and design. The public comment period runs from March 16 through July 13, 2022. Click the link below to submit your feedback, comments, and ideas.
