Benefits for Development

Residential development opportunities

Kenilworth development triangle: Currently wedged between DC-295 and the CSX rail, this area primarily contains auto-oriented businesses, a self-storage facility, and towing storage lot. With the conversion of the highway, the area would no longer be isolated from the Kenilworth neighborhood by DC-295 and could be the site of new residential development.

Expand neighborhood fabric: Today, the highway’s footprint takes up all of the space between Fairlawn Ave SE and Anacostia Park at this section of the corridor. Removing DC-295 here would free up land for mixed commercial and residential development lining the east side of the boulevard.

Commercial development opportunities

PEPCO redevelopment: This site presents 3.5 million square feet of development potential. Energy providers, including PEPCO, are already undergoing significant changes in their operations, and this site provides the opportunity to reimagine an industrial site along the new boulevard. Development at this site could not only provide new commercial amenities to residents but also improve access to the river and nearby river trail.

Minnesota transit hub: Dense, walkable, mixed-use development near transit can create more vibrant, connected, and equitable communities, especially when coupled with affordable housing.[37] The Minnesota Avenue Metro station is situated near several large government buildings but the area is otherwise largely residential. The boulevard could help catalyze more commercial development and help the area realize the benefits of transit-oriented development.

Anacostia transit hub: Dense, walkable, mixed-use development near transit can create more vibrant, connected, and equitable communities, especially when coupled with affordable housing.[38] The Anacostia Metro station is not currently well integrated into downtown Anacostia. With the conversion of DC-295 to a boulevard, commercial development near the metro station could help to better connect the transit center to the surrounding neighborhood

The Bridge District: An existing residential and retail development with a focus on sustainability and creating and sustaining local jobs and businesses that broke ground in mid-2022.[39] Converting DC-295 into a boulevard would enable the removal of the on and off ramps to Suitland Parkway from DC-295, opening up additional developable land in this area.

Special purpose zone

Changing the PEPCO site to ‘Special Purpose Zone’, which is intended for single large sites that require a cohesive, self-contained set of regulations, can allow maximum density close to transit stops, as well as consistent design standards and an opportunity to preserve affordability.

Eco district zone

An ecodistrict is a neighborhood that centers environmental and social wellbeing in planning processes.[40] Physical infrastructure (ex: public transportation, green space) as well as social and cultural networks constitute the district. There is an established framework that provides key goals and objectives for these districts, which includes three overarching priorities (equity, climate resilience, climate protection), as well as six key priorities (place, resource restoration, living infrastructure, connectivity, health & wellbeing, prosperity). This framework could be incorporated into existing development plans for Poplar Point to help align the initiative’s goals with the goals for removing DC295 in the broader corridor.