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NCPC reviews Foggy Bottom / Kennedy Center study; commissioners urge federal leadership and governance plan
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Summary
NCPC heard a concept study proposing decking over highway infrastructure to create a cultural commons connecting the Kennedy Center to the National Mall; commissioners praised the vision but emphasized that implementation will require federal leadership, a champion, governance structure and lengthy funding and coordination.
NCPC received an information presentation April 4 on an urban design study for the Foggy Bottom area and potential strategies to reconnect the Kennedy Center to the National Mall.
Consultant Mr. Fliss summarized year‑long planning including a Technical Assistance Panel and a Perkins Eastman–led concept that explores decking over I‑66 to create an interconnected open‑space network and a cultural commons bridging Foggy Bottom, the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Memorial. The study framed potential benefits (increased green space, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, stormwater and renewable energy opportunities) and noted the scale of the infrastructure challenge would require federal leadership and a convening champion.
Commissioners broadly praised the concept, drawing parallels to other U.S. projects that reclaimed highway corridors to create parks, but also stressed governance and funding issues. Several commissioners urged NCPC to act as a convener and to assemble potential champions and advisory members to move the initiative from concept to action; they emphasized phased and piecemeal implementation would be necessary given the multi‑billion‑dollar scale of work described.
The presentation concluded as an information item; commissioners asked staff to continue stakeholder outreach and to explore next steps including potential advisory boards and interagency coordination.
