facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Dedicated service roads.
Current Parking Lot A would be reclaimed for exhibit space, and an underground parking
structure near the Connecticut Avenue entrance would provide 300 parking spaces.
Parking Lots D and E would remain for visitor parking. Changes to current parking
requirements would be negligible, but future parking needs would not be accommodated
under Alternative B.
The introduction of a ground-based tram system, as well as new dedicated service roads
would improve park circulation and ease overall traffic congestion.
The traffic management strategy would include the addition of two new traffic circles and
a limited-use turn lane at North Road. During peak times and events, the traffic circles
would be used for passenger drop-off, vehicular turnarounds and information
dissemination. Implementation of Alternative B would have long-term beneficial
impacts on traffic and transportation because of infrastructure and program improvements
that would provide additional parking and ease of circulation.
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative)
Similar to the plans outlined in the 1986 Revised Master Plan, Alternative C would
include a parking garage at the current Parking Lot C site, the removal of Parking Lot B,
and a centralized Bus Drop-off Area at Panda Plaza.
The following activities would also impact traffic, transportation and parking:
New above ground parking structure at current Parking Lot C site; and a twostory
underground parking structure near the Connecticut Avenue entry;
Small staff parking lot near Holt House;
Addition of two new traffic circles on North Road;
A limited-use turn lane at North Road;
Introduction of ground and aerial-based tram systems;
Dedicated service roads; and
Bus Lot will be incorporated with Panda Plaza for a bus entry.
Two new parking structures would replace the current A, B, and D Parking Lots. An
underground parking structure near the Connecticut Avenue entrance would provide 300
parking spaces, and the parking garage at the current Parking Lot C site would provide an
additional 1,128 spaces. A small staff parking lot would be built near Holt House. Based
on future attendance expectations, parking under Alternative A would be adequate for all
but 87 days of the year.
The current Bus Lot would be incorporated with Panda Plaza and dedicated to bus dropoff,
pick-up and parking, increasing pedestrian safety at North Road and Connecticut
Avenue.
The introduction of an aerial and ground-based tram system, as well as new dedicated
service roads would improve park circulation and ease overall traffic congestion.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 106 | P a g e