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Nebraska Avenue Complex Master Plan

Draft Environmental Statement 

GSA, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) that analyzes the potential impacts from the proposed Master Plan to guide future development of a cohesive campus for DHS at the Nebraska Avenue Complex (NAC) in Washington, DC. 

The Draft EIS considers the potential impacts of each alternative on the natural, cultural, and social environment.  The alternatives being considered in detail include:

• No Action: The NAC project site would continue to operate in existing facilities (approximately 650,000 GSF) and follow current management protocols.  The number of seats would remain at 2,390.  DHS would continue to seek a permanent location for additional employees not currently accommodated at the NAC.  Under the No-Action Alternative, 1,239 parking spaces would remain.
• Alternative A: Low Density Development - Existing buildings and new construction (approximately 1.1 million GSF) would house 3,700 seats.  New construction would include an architectural parking structure and a signature landscape adjacent to Ward Circle that would create a visible building mass along Ward Circle.  In addition, there would be an observable presence from this corner.  This alternative would feature 1,025 parking spaces.
• Alternative B: Mid-Density Development - Existing buildings and new construction (approximately 1.2 million GSF) would house 4,200 seats.  A new building would be constructed adjacent to Ward Circle and a signature landscape would complement the design of the new building.  This alternative would also allow for significant open space in an area that historically contained terraced sport courts.  This alternative would feature 1,150 parking spaces.
• Alternative C: High-Density Development - Existing buildings and new construction (approximately 1.3 million GSF) would house 4,500 seats.  A parking garage with a green roof would be located adjacent to Ward Circle.  The garage would be recessed into the ground so that the vegetated roof,  and not the building, would be visible from Ward Circle to minimize the urban presence of the campus from this corner.  This alternative would feature 1,225 parking spaces.

A public hearing on the Draft EIS will be held to present the findings and to provide the public an opportunity to submit oral and/or written comments on the proposed action.  As part of this Draft EIS, GSA is also inviting comments on historic preservation concerns under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.  Anyone with an interest in the project is invited to attend.

WHEN:   Tuesday, February 8, 2011

WHERE: Horace Mann Elementary School, Multipurpose Community Center
            4430 Newark Street, NW, Washington, DC  20016
 

TIME:    7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written comments during the 45-day review period on the Draft EIS in addition to or in lieu of giving their comments at the public hearing.  The review period for this Draft EIS began on January 14, 2011 (date of the Federal Register publication of the notice of availability).  Requests for copies of the Draft EIS, appendices, or written comments regarding the Draft EIS must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2011, and submitted to:

Suzanne Hill
NCR NEPA Program Specialist
General Services Administration
301 7th Street, SW, Room 7600
Washington, DC  20407
suzanne.hill@gsa.gov

The following documents are available for download: