NCPC - National Capital Planning Commission
02/03/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/03/2023 14:35
NCPC Provides Feedback on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Fort McNair Master Plan
The National Capital Planning Commission's (NCPC) February 2 meeting was the first led by new Chair Teri Hawks Goodmann. There was one item on the agenda, with the Commission providing comments on the concept master plan (also known as an Area Development Plan) for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall submitted by the Department of the Army. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is comprised of two installations: the 272-acre Myer-Henderson Hall (located in Arlington, Virginia, just west of Arlington National Cemetery) and the 107-acre Fort Leslie J. McNair (located in Washington, DC at Buzzard Point, at the confluence of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers).
Myer-Henderson Hall is the Joint Base's headquarters and is home to several Army and Marine Corps units, including the Marine Corps headquarters and Service Battalion; U.S. Army Band; and the Old Guard (3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment). Founded in 1791, Fort McNair is the third oldest military fort in continuous use. It is home to the Military District of Washington Headquarters, the National Defense University, and the National War College.
The concept master plan brings together the installation's previous plans into a unified vision and plan for the entire Joint Base. It seeks to maintain a safe, secure, resilient, and compact community; maintain and strengthen partnerships with the surrounding communities; and retain historic character and resources. At the concept stage, the Commission is providing comments to inform development of a more detailed draft master plan, which it expects to review some time in 2024.
Overall, the Commission commented favorably on the plan's goals and objectives and had a lengthy discussion regarding the issues that need to be addressed in the next submission, including the need for a Transportation Management Plan, approaches to flood risk management at Fort McNair, and coordination with local jurisdictions. They supported proposed renovation projects at both installations. The Commission agreed that for the demolition of six residential quarters at Myer-Henderson Hall, the Army is following an agreed upon process which entails looking at alternatives and determining the best path forward. While demolition of historic resources is never the desired outcome, the Commission acknowledged it was the prudent course in this case to achieve the necessary housing for the base.
Commissioners engaged in a spirited discussion about historic preservation at Fort McNair. They noted that the recently approved National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requires that the Army demolish Quarters 4, 13, and 15 within one year of being unoccupied. While the concept master plan does not show their demolition, representatives from the historic preservation community, along with Commissioners, raised concerns about the NDAA language and the impacts from such an action, and encouraged consideration of the potential negative precedents of their demolition and the broader implications for federal historic preservation practices.
Commission actions and related materials are available online.
The Executive Director approved three items under authority delegated by the Commission.
1. Preliminary and final building plans for the GSA Central Heating Plant Antenna Modification, 325 13th Street, SW. (8432)
2. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Consolidated Planned Unit Development and Related Map Amendment at Square 390, Lot 53, 899 Maine Avenue, SW. (ZC 22-06)
3. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Consolidated Planned Unit Development and Related Map Amendment at Square 419, Lot 34, 1707 8th Street, NW. (ZC 22-09)
Myer-Henderson Hall is the Joint Base's headquarters and is home to several Army and Marine Corps units, including the Marine Corps headquarters and Service Battalion; U.S. Army Band; and the Old Guard (3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment). Founded in 1791, Fort McNair is the third oldest military fort in continuous use. It is home to the Military District of Washington Headquarters, the National Defense University, and the National War College.
The concept master plan brings together the installation's previous plans into a unified vision and plan for the entire Joint Base. It seeks to maintain a safe, secure, resilient, and compact community; maintain and strengthen partnerships with the surrounding communities; and retain historic character and resources. At the concept stage, the Commission is providing comments to inform development of a more detailed draft master plan, which it expects to review some time in 2024.
Overall, the Commission commented favorably on the plan's goals and objectives and had a lengthy discussion regarding the issues that need to be addressed in the next submission, including the need for a Transportation Management Plan, approaches to flood risk management at Fort McNair, and coordination with local jurisdictions. They supported proposed renovation projects at both installations. The Commission agreed that for the demolition of six residential quarters at Myer-Henderson Hall, the Army is following an agreed upon process which entails looking at alternatives and determining the best path forward. While demolition of historic resources is never the desired outcome, the Commission acknowledged it was the prudent course in this case to achieve the necessary housing for the base.
Commissioners engaged in a spirited discussion about historic preservation at Fort McNair. They noted that the recently approved National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requires that the Army demolish Quarters 4, 13, and 15 within one year of being unoccupied. While the concept master plan does not show their demolition, representatives from the historic preservation community, along with Commissioners, raised concerns about the NDAA language and the impacts from such an action, and encouraged consideration of the potential negative precedents of their demolition and the broader implications for federal historic preservation practices.
Commission actions and related materials are available online.
The Executive Director approved three items under authority delegated by the Commission.
1. Preliminary and final building plans for the GSA Central Heating Plant Antenna Modification, 325 13th Street, SW. (8432)
2. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Consolidated Planned Unit Development and Related Map Amendment at Square 390, Lot 53, 899 Maine Avenue, SW. (ZC 22-06)
3. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Consolidated Planned Unit Development and Related Map Amendment at Square 419, Lot 34, 1707 8th Street, NW. (ZC 22-09)