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Project Background and Objectives • Develop a green infrastructure Master Plan for the New York Avenue Corridor from North Capitol Street, N.E. to Bladensburg Road, N.E., the surrounding neighborhoods of the Florida Avenue Market, Ivy City, North of Massachusetts Avenue (NOMA), Gallaudet and other key areas in the corridor.
What is Green Infrastructure? • The integration of green stormwater techniques, such as raingardens, permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting, soil amendments, and rainwater harvesting that reduce the volume of stormwater and filter pollutants from rainfall runoff through natural processes into roadways, streets, and trails. These techniques have multiple benefits such as improving air quality, shading, and aesthetics.
Key Goals • Develop a sustainable infrastructure that promotes and enhances multi-modal transportation strategies for bikes, trails, walking, and transit. These recommendations are based on key environmental, social, and economic considerations, otherwise known as the Triple Bottom Line analysis.
Key Elements of the Plan • Provide recommendations on how to implement environmentally-progressive infrastructure practices • Provide recommendations on reducing; the volume and pollutant loads from stormwater runoff, urban heat island effects, and energy consumption • Provide conceptual design drawings that showcase potential techniques • Provide educational information to improve investment opportunities and the public perception of the corridor • Identify strategies that improve the quality of life for residents and businesses through integrated environmental planning
Project Work Plan • Review existing studies and master plans, transportation improvements, and development projects for opportunities to integrate green infrastructure into the planning and design of projects • Develop protocols and metrics for the analysis and planning of green infrastructure improvments • Conduct inventories of the corridor in order to rank and select project areas • Conduct analysis of potential projects and rank and prioritize areas for planning investments • Develop master plan and project recommendations and produce a report on the effort • Develop and conduct an outreach program • Identify potential funding sources for improvements
Background and Review of the Corridor • There are a range of street types, land uses, and age of construction and development • The area is highly developed and the natural landscape has been significantly altered. The soils are poorly drained and do not have significant capacity to infiltrate stormwater • The corridor drains to the Combined Sewer System (CSS) and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The CSS is a combination of storm and sanitary drainage that is collected and treated at Blue Plains. This system overflows in large storm events and creates potential health and environmental . The MS4 system drains to the
Background and Review of the Corridor • The corridor drains to the Combined Sewer System (CSS) and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The CSS is a combination of storm and sanitary drainage that is collected and treated at Blue Plains. This system overflows in large storm events and creates potential health and environmental problems. The city is trying to reduce the volume of stormwater runoff to the system. The MS4 system drains to the Anacostia. The system does not include Best Management Practices to treat runoff. There are numerous retrofit projects that are being proposed and new developments must treat stormwater.
Background and Review of the Corridor • Opportunities exist within the current master, or area plans within the corridor to incorporate green infrastructure without requiring modifications to the plan language • There are several significant transportation improvements that are currently planned or underway. There are opportunities to incorporate green infrastructure into the designs for entrance improvement to private properties and at key intersections
There are significant opportunities to redesign bus shelters to incorporate green infrastructure elements that provide shade and improve the appearance of the structures • There are opportunities for trail improvements and realignment along the corridor and to surrounding areas Bus shelter concept design with green roof Concept for improved trail along New York Ave. by Arboretum
Key Selection Criteria • Projects that can create “Green Reference Points” or foundations for further investments • Opportunities to connect neighborhoods and promote multi-modal transportation benefits • Enhancement of Master Plan Goals • Reduction of stormwater volume in CSS areas • Treatment of pollutant loads and avoidance of stormwater treatment costs in MS4 • Location on public property or within the street right-of-way • Heat stress reduction and improved air quality • Potential for generation of local green jobs • Improved property value
Project Selection Criteria • Detailed evaluation criteria and rankings were based on Social, Human Health, Environmental, and Economic Benefits • Key selection criteria includes: • Projects that can create “Green Reference Points” or foundations for further investments • Opportunities to connect neighborhoods and promote multi-modal transportation benefits • Enhancement of Master Plan Goals • Reduction of stormwater volume or pollutant loads • Location on public property or within the street right-of-way
Key Project Recommendations • Project recommendations fall into one of four categories: • General recommendations • Transportation • Multi-use • Area specific The following pages list some of the key recommendations from the study
General Recommendations • Limit curb cuts in order to improve circulation and appearance of the streetscape • Integrate and coordinate stormwater controls, such as raingardens and permeable pavements from site development projects with right-of-way green infrastructure improvements
General Recommendations • Construct Green Alleyswith permeable pavements • Create landscape amenities at key locations • Develop signage that creates an “identity” for the corridor • Install green roofs on large commercial, office, and industrial properties as well as schools and public facilities Green Roof at USDOT HQ Washington, D.C.
General Recommendations • Retrofit residential streets with curb bumpouts to reduce the volume and treat stormwater pollutant loads. This will also improve pedestrian safety and create green nodes at street intersections. Street Cross Section
Transportation Improvements • Relocate and provide bus shelters with innovative energy, shading, and experience elements
Multi-Use Trail Recommendations • Create linkages and integrated trail systems
Area Specific Recommendations Raingardens Expanded tree boxes and raingardens near existing drainage inlets at Mount Olivet Road and Capitol Ave. N.E.
Area Specific Recommendations Expanded tree boxes and rain gardens near existing drainage inlets at Mount Olivet Road and Capitol Ave. N.E. bioretention inlet NY Avenue Plan View Section
Funding Sources • There are several potential funding sources for green infrastructure improvements. There are currently nationwide federal grants available for stormwater water quality improvements through the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) . The federal program also includes grants that are targeted for construction and demonstration projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Transportation improvements, biking and walking, and community development improvement programs are sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and joint agency programs, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USEPA, and FHWA. • Utilities are also starting to consider the construction of green infrastructure practices to reduce, or offset, stormwater volumes that go to their Combined Sewer Systems as part of their Long Term Control Plans to reduce overflows to receiving waters. • Public and Private partnerships are being developed to finance and construct green infrastructure as part of jobs programs and economic development.
