Ivy City Small Area Plan
Ivy City Small Area Plan
The District of Columbia Office of Planning is working with residents and community stakeholders to develop a Small Area Plan (SAP) for Ivy City. See below for project updates and upcoming engagement events!
Ivy City Small Area Plan Sent to DC Council for Adoption
Following a two and a half-year community planning process, the Bowser Administration, led by the DC Office of Planning, has transmitted the Ivy City Small Area Plan to DC Council for adoption. The Small Area Plan guides government, private sector, and community actions to expand new and existing housing opportunities, strengthen community resilience, and improve the design and experience of the public realm in Ivy City.
The final version of the Ivy City Small Area Plan, including an executive summary of changes, summary of public comments, and other supporting documents can be viewed on the DC Council website: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/PR25-0992. ("Ivy City Small Area Plan Approval Resolution of 2024," (PR25-0992))
The Council is scheduled to vote on the Ivy City Small Area Plan on November 26, 2024. Details about the date and timing can be found on the DC Council website: https://dccouncil.gov/event/committee-of-the-whole-meeting-82/
Upcoming Milestones
May 21st-May 31st, 2024: Community Feedback welcomed on draft recommendations
June 2024: Develop Ivy City Small Area Plan draft
July 1 2024: Release Public Comment Draft for review
July 15 2024: Community Office Hours -- Crummell Playground
July 16, 2024: Community Office Hours -- Lewis Crowe Park
July 17, 2024: Community Office Hours -- Okie Street NE
August 3, 2024: Mayoral Hearing
August 16, 2024: Public Comment period closes
August-September 2024: Process public comments and develop final Ivy City Small Area Plan draft
October 2024: Present final Plan to DC Council
November 1, 2024: Council Public Hearing (more info here: https://dccouncil.gov/event/committee-of-the-whole-public-hearing-137/)
Nveomber 26, 2024: Council Vote (more info here: https://dccouncil.gov/event/committee-of-the-whole-meeting-82/)
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About the Project:
Ivy City is a historically Black neighborhood located in Ward 5. The neighborhood includes a mix of commercial and industrial sites and smaller scale residential units. Ivy City is one of three anticipated focus areas of the larger New York Avenue Vision Framework study. The neighborhood is adjacent to the New York Avenue corridor which has already seen new development.
The Ivy City Small Area Plan (SAP) will consider how the future growth and redevelopment of large sites along New York Avenue will impact the existing residential area in terms of access, displacement, and economic impact. The Ivy City SAP will be developed through a collaborative planning process. Using a racial equity lens, the Ivy City SAP will explore opportunities and recommendations to advance the following:
- Advance racial equity by understanding and respond to the ways Black and vulnerable residents have been impacted by land use and environmental decisions in the past and mitigate future impacts
- Create guiding principles for active streets, open spaces and park environments that improve resident accessibility and pedestrian comfort and safety and contribute to community resiliency.
- Develop strategies, recommendations, and designs that improve the pedestrian experience of the street frontage throughout the site, and better integrate new development into the existing neighborhood.
- Develop strategies to mitigate resident displacement and improve access to quality housing, especially affordable housing, in the community.
- Develop strategies that protect and improve community health outcomes and strengthen community resilience to climate impacts.
Contact Us:
Alex Freedman, Community Planner, Project Manager
Email: IvyCitySAP@dc.gov
Phone: +1 (202) 442-7618
We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
A Small Area Plan (SAP) is a guiding document that provides a framework for the strategic development, redevelopment and/or preservation of neighborhoods and corridors. The SAP supplements the Comprehensive Plan by providing more detailed recommendations and implementation strategies for the development of city blocks, corridors, and neighborhoods. The intent of these plans is to guide long-range planning and development that establishes future neighborhood improvements, identifies gaps and opportunities in neighborhood services and amenities, and advances social and economic benefits.
SAPs are developed through a collaborative process that entails significant community outreach and engagement, to both communicate the goals and milestones of the planning process as well as provide opportunities for community dialogue on strategic priorities in the planning area. SAPs are typically approved by resolution of the DC Council, and their key recommendations are subsequently incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan Elements.
Learn more about SAPs at planning.dc.gov/page/op-neighborhood-planning.
Ivy City is a triangular neighborhood bounded by New York Avenue NE, West Virginia Avenue NE, and Mt. Olivet Road. The neighborhood is surrounded by significant landmarks including Gallaudet University, the historic Mount Olivet Cemetery, and the Amtrak rail yard.
We will have many opportunities for residents and the larger Ivy City community to get involved in the planning process. We will ensure that the community engagement process is inclusive and representative of Ivy City, and includes a variety of ways--virtual, in-person, hybrid--to get community feedback.
Check out the Events Tab for upcoming engagement events. Past meetings, comments, and meeting summaries will be archived on the project website, as well, for viewing at any time.