November 2006

D.C. Zoning Commission Reviews GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus Plan: 2006-2025

The Zoning Commission conducted five hearings during September and October to consider the University’s proposed Foggy Bottom Campus Plan: 2006-2025, which outlines an integrated strategy for development on the Foggy Bottom Campus over the next 20 years. An additional hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 30 to conclude testimony from District agencies and planning experts.

GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus Plan: 2006-2025, filed by the University last February, was drafted after a year-long community-based planning process coordinated with the D.C. Office of Planning. This effort resulted in a plan that follows a “Grow Up, Not Out” strategy to accommodate the University’s forecasted academic and student housing space requirements within the existing campus boundaries, concentrating density in the center of the campus along 22nd Street. By doing so, Square 54, the former GW Hospital site, can be redeveloped as a mixed-use town center, including retail, residential, and office uses.

The University’s approach allows for the retention of numerous buildings of architectural and historic significance as well as important open spaces on campus. The new plan also seeks to develop campus- and neighborhood-serving retail at the ground floor of new development along I Street, creating an “I Street Retail Corridor” extending from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro to the Shops at 2000 Penn. In order to address community concerns regarding the University’s expansion outside the Campus Plan, GW has agreed to specific limitations on the acquisition and future use of off-campus properties.

In addition to the proposed campus plan, the Zoning Commission is conducting public hearings this fall on two other proposed Foggy Bottom campus development projects. On Oct. 30, the commission met to consider GW’s joint application with D.C. Public Schools to modernize and expand the School Without Walls and to construct a new residence hall on F Street, NW. The commission will also consider the redevelopment of Square 54 on Nov. 20, which GW filed with Boston Properties and KSI Services, Inc.

For additional information, visit www.neighborhood.gwu.edu.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu