1910.1 The Southwest Waterfront is a 45-acre area along the Washington Channel, stretching three-quarters of a mile along Maine Avenue from the Tidal Basin to Fort McNair. The area includes the Washington Fish Market, portions of East Potomac Park, a boating/residential community at Gangplank Marina, and the Wharf, a mixed-use development on the Southwest Waterfront. Nearby uses include the Arena Stage, several churches, office buildings, and apartments. Major points of access include 4th, 6th, 7th, and 9th Streets SW, M Street SW, and the L'Enfant Plaza and Waterfront Metro stations.

1910.2 Although it is relatively accessible and familiar to residents of Southwest, the Southwest Waterfront had not been the active, public, civic space it could be. Historically, roads and parking lots accounted for over 40 percent of the area, with multiple lanes of traffic between the shoreline and adjacent residential areas. L'Enfant Plaza and the National Mall are just a few blocks away. Until recently, there were no clear means of pedestrian access from these heavily visited areas to the shoreline. With much of the Southwest Waterfront in public ownership, the District had a unique opportunity to create a place that served both as an extension of the adjacent neighborhood and a new regional destination.

1910.3 The District completed the Southwest Waterfront Development Plan in 2003, adopting short- and mid-term actions to transform the area. The Southwest Waterfront Development Plan called for eliminating Water Street and improving Maine Avenue as a pedestrian-friendly urban street. The elimination of Water Street and replacement of surface parking with structured parking has increased available public space and developable land and has allowed for the creation of new parks, plazas, and mixed-use development. Active ground floor uses, such as retail stores, restaurants, and performance venues, are now making this area an active and animated urban waterfront.

1910.4 Construction of the Wharf at the Southwest Waterfront began in 2014. The first phase of development was delivered in 2017 and includes a mix of housing, office, retail, hotel, and concert venues, as well as improved public waterfront access, recreational piers, and green space. Following the recommendations from the previous planning effort and extensive community input, the Wharf will include over three million square feet of mixed-use development at full build-out. The mix of market rate and affordable residential units and commercial development, with retail, restaurants, and entertainment offerings, has created a vibrant new waterfront destination and regional attraction.

1910.5 The existing fish market has been retained in its present location and refurbished, with its low-scale character maintained. In addition, the Wharf includes expanded piers, additional boat slips, and several acres of waterfront parks and a promenade

1910.6 The District has worked with federal and local partners to improve pedestrian access to the waterfront via the Banneker Overlook at 10th Street SW. The area also has seen the development of new museums in this vicinity further north, close to L'Enfant Plaza, and is benefitting from new water taxi service, transit improvements, and landscaping.1910.7 Ongoing plans for the Southwest Waterfront should be implemented in a way that continues to recognize the broader context of the Southwest neighborhood and its connection to the National Mall.1910.8 Policy A W-2.1.1: Mixed-Use Development Support the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront with medium- to high-density housing, commercial and cultural uses, and improved open space and parking. The development should be designed to make the most of the waterfront location, preserving views and enhancing access to and along the shoreline.1910.9 Policy A W-2.1.2: New Public Spaces and Open Space Continue to create additional public spaces and plazas at the Southwest Waterfront during the second phase of construction of the Wharf, including the continuation of the public promenade at the water's edge and a new marina. Public piers should extend from each of the major terminating streets, providing views and public access to the water.1910.10 Policy A W-2.1.3: Connecting to the Southwest Waterfront Continue to enhance pedestrian connections from the Southwest neighborhood, Waterfront Metro station, and L'Enfant Plaza area to the Wharf by creating new public spaces and trails, and providing safer pedestrian crossings across Maine Avenue SW.1910.11 Policy A W-2.1.4: Maine Avenue SW Continue to transform Maine Avenue SW into a landscaped urban street that has direct access to waterfront uses, provides a pedestrian-friendly street environment, and accommodates multiple modes of travel (including bicycles). Future developments on the north side of Maine Avenue should be designed to support a pedestrian-friendly environment.1910.12 Policy A W-2.1.5: Washington Channel Maritime Activities Reorganize the Washington Channel's maritime activities, including cruise ship berths and marinas, to provide more appropriate relationships to landside uses and opportunities for water taxis, ferries, and other forms of water transportation. In implementing this policy, cruise ship operations should be retained and supported, recognizing their economic benefits to the District and their recreational and

cultural value for residents and visitors.

1910.13 Action AW-2.1.A: Southwest Waterfront Development Plan Implement the 2003 Southwest Waterfront Development Plan.

1910.14 Action AW-2.1.B: Long-Term Improvements Study the feasibility of the long-term improvements identified in the Southwest Waterfront Plan, such as a Hains Point Canal (in East Potomac Park), relocation of cruise lines and their infrastructure, a new Yellow Line Metro station at the waterfront, and construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge across the channel near the Case Bridge.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).