This week, ULI Washington is reviewing a TAP almost exactly one year after its completion. In June of 2019, ULI Washington partnered with the NoMa Business Improvement District and NoMa Parks Foundation on the TAP “Transforming the Virtual Circle to Reconnect the Neighborhoods”. This project focused primarily on the Virtual Circle located in Northeast Washington D.C., one block east of North Capitol Street NE at the intersection of New York Avenue NE and Florida Avenue NE, but grew to include the connectivity between neighborhoods around the circle itself.

The Panel was asked to answer the following questions:

• How should the open spaces created by the new design be planned to work together and welcome residents and visitors? What design elements can be applied to optimize space activation and aesthetics? What are the preferred uses on the new or reshaped land created by the reconfiguration?
• What is the desired experience for each type of user entering the Virtual Circle (pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and green space visitors)? What impacts may their improved safety and enjoyment have on the surrounding area?
• What existing conditions are the most likely causes of safety issues, particularly for the intersection’s most vulnerable users? What operational design interventions, within the scope of the proposed reconfiguration, can be made to curtail these risks?
• What design or infrastructure improvements could improve the economic vitality of the surrounding areas?
• How could local conditions, such as access to nearby educational institutions, business vitality, access to services provided by addiction and outreach organizations, and housing affordability be impacted by the reconfiguration?

While the TAP Panelists worked with the clients to better understand the history and future vision for the site, the panel benefitted from conversations with a variety of government partners. Most notably, this included the District’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) who had provided a number of concepts for the site including “Concept 6” which became the basis of the panel’s recommendations. Other government stakeholders included DC’s Department of Human Services and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Both government agencies manage office spaces around the circle, and had specific needs of future development.

At the beginning of the TAP, panelists understood that east/west connections through the circle were vital as a primary corridor for commuters entering and exiting the District and the state of Maryland. While interviewing stakeholders and traveling the space, panelists also recognized the importance of north/west connections between the neighborhoods and the movement of workers and residents from the north of Eckington to the south of Union Station. The panel’s recommendations included a number of design drawings that prioritized the safety of users including private vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists. These drawings also outlined how to leverage newly-created pedestrian space both during regular commuting hours as well as for weekends and times of less traffic.

Since the completion of the TAP, the NoMa Business Association continues to use the report as a part of their ongoing planning projects. This Wednesday, May 18^th, the BID is holding a virtual meeting to review updated design drawings for the circle redesign. Further information on the event can be found here.

ULI Washington would like to thank the following panelists for their work on the Virtual Circle TAP:

• Patrick Philips, Former Global Chief Executive Officer, ULI Washington
• Dan Hardy, Renaissance Planning Group
• Dawn Volz, Dewberry
• Jon Eisen, The Eisen Group
• Paola Moya, Moya Design Partners
• Rob Mandle, Crystal City Business Improvement District
• Sukirti Ghosh, Rhodeside & Harwell
• Suzie Battista, Fairfax County Department of Planning & Development
• Tanya Stern, Montgomery County Planning Department