Poplar Point Plan
Poplar Point Plan
The Poplar Point Plan is being developed in partnership between the District of Columbia government and the National Park Service. The redevelopment of Poplar Point will be determined through this process and ultimately include preserved and improved wetlands and natural areas, a mix of development uses including housing and community amenities, and improved connections between the site and the surrounding communities. The planning process includes a Master Plan and Environmental Assessment, which are required to complete a land transfer between the NPS and the DC government.
Project Overview
Poplar Point is an approximately 110-acre parcel located along the east side of the Anacostia River between the Frederick Douglass Bridge and the 11th Street Bridges in Washington, DC. Poplar Point is bound by the 11th Street Bridges to the north, the Anacostia Freeway (Interstate 295) and Suitland Parkway to the east and south, respectively, and the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to the west.
Poplar Point is currently under the National Park Service (NPS) jurisdiction and consists of a mix of accessible open space, wetlands and natural areas, abandoned remains of former greenhouses and other government facilities, as well as the NPS’s current administrative and law enforcement facilities.
In 2006, Congress enacted legislation (Public Law 109-396, commonly referred to as the DC Lands Act) directing the United States to transfer the NPS property at Poplar Point to the District of Columbia. For the land transfer to occur, the DC Lands Act requires:
Preserving at least 70 acres for park purposes;
Identifying the NPS facilities and their relocation sites;
Allocating two locations for federal memorials; and,
Completing a land use plan.
Poplar Point Plan Process and Timeline
Throughout the process, there will be public meetings and multiple opportunities to share your feedback and input. Your participation is vital to the success of this planning effort.
How to Get Involved
Submit comments on NPS's PEPC website. Please note that the public comment period is open until 3/11/2025. For more information, please visit:https://parkplanning.nps.gov/poplarpointplan
Sign up on this website for regular updates on the Poplar Point Plan process and opportunities to provide feedback.
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]
Contact Us
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Sign up on this website for regular updates on the Poplar Point Plan process and opportunities to provide feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Poplar Point is a 110-acre site owned and managed by the National Park Service (NPS), located along the east side of the Anacostia River in Ward 8, Washington, D.C. It is bounded by the Frederick Douglass Bridge, the 11th Street Bridges, Interstate 295, and Suitland Parkway. The site includes natural areas, open green spaces, the NPS National Capital Parks – East Headquarters, and a U.S. Park Police (USPP) helipad.
The Poplar Point Plan is a process to prepare Poplar Point to be redeveloped as a mixed-use development, new community amenities, enhanced connections with surrounding neighborhoods, and preserved natural spaces. This planning process is a collaboration between the Government of the District of Columbia (District) and the National Park Service (NPS), which involves preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Master Plan to meet legal requirements for transferring the land from the NPS to the District.
In 2006, Congress passed the DC Lands Act (Public Law 109-396), which directed the transfer of NPS property at Poplar Point to the District of Columbia. However, this transfer can happen only once the District meets specific requirements, including:
Preserving at least 70 acres for park purposes;
Identifying NPS facilities and their relocation sites;
Allocating two locations for federal memorials; and,
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and the DC Office of Planning (OP) are co-managing the Poplar Point Plan on behalf of the District of Columbia. DMPED has hired a consultant team, led by HR&A Advisors and AECOM, to help plan the Poplar Point site. Additionally, the consultants will support the District to identify redevelopment opportunities that benefit residents and communities, ensuring that the 70 acres of parkland are designed and programmed in a manner that benefits residents and complements the proposed redevelopment. Brick & Story, a local community engagement firm, is also part of the consultant team. Their role is to ensure meaningful involvement from different groups, such as nearby residents, business owners, environmentalists, and civic leaders.
The National Park Service (NPS) is leading the federal portion of the Poplar Point Plan. Key responsibilities include:
Overseeing the completion of the Environmental Assessment (EA) to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards;
Collaborating with the District of Columbia and stakeholders to transfer the land while preserving and enhancing its ecological and cultural value;
Reviewing and approving plans to relocate existing NPS facilities and helipad operations; and,
Managing public feedback during the planning phase of the cleanup and redevelopment process under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
An EA evaluates the environmental impacts of proposed actions. For Poplar Point, this process will ensure that:
Development meets National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) standards;
Environmental and cultural resources are protected; and,
Public health and safety are prioritized during remediation and construction.