facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Alternative C (Preferred Alternative)
Under Alternative C, facility improvements would result in the renovation of older
exhibits, construction of new entrances to the National Zoo, installation of new
transportation facilities, and construction of new administrative facilities. These
improvements would have physical and visual impacts to resources that contribute to the
significance of the National Register-listed National Zoo. As a result, Alternative C
could result in direct and indirect long-term, moderate adverse impacts to the cultural
landscape. Under Section 106, Alternative C would have an adverse effect. SI has
initiated consultation with the Washington, DC Historic Preservation Office through the
Section 106 process. As a result of this consultation, a programmatic agreement will be
sought that identifies future requirements and mitigation to be employed during project
development. Future design would consider ways to minimize impacts to characterdefining
cultural landscape features.
Projects under Alternative C that could have an adverse effect to cultural landscape
include:
Creation of new larger multi-species exhibit areas;
Revitalization of entrances at Connecticut Avenue, Mid-Point entry, and Harvard
Street Bridge/Beach Drive;
The addition of a new aerial tram;
Transportation improvements including construction of two traffic circles, shift of
North Road, and the separation of visitor and service vehicle traffic; and
Construction of a new administrative, support, and operations hub.
The creation of new larger, multi-species exhibit areas will physically impact the cultural
landscape components of the National Zoo. New exhibit spaces may cause changes to the
land use and activities, patterns of spatial organization, and circulation networks of the
National Zoo. New construction would also introduce new visual features to the
viewshed.
The revitalization of the Mid-Point entry would restore the historic spatial relationship
between the Small Mammals House and the Reptiles through the demolition of the noncontributing
Great Ape House. The subsequent new construction would be setback
further and designed with a smaller scale to retain this important spatial relationship.
The rehabilitation of older exhibits would impact the cultural landscape by altering a
portion of the existing circulation pattern and a design feature. The Beaver Valley
exhibits and walkways could remove the eastern part of the Valley Trail alignment. The
alignment dates from the early twentieth century and was included in Frederick Law
Olmsted’s plan for the National Zoo as “Missouri Valley.” Olmsted designed this portion
of the trail using the existing topography to enhance the visitor experience. While the
remaining historic alignment of the Valley Trail will be retained, access to the Valley
Trail will be limited to service vehicles.
Other transportation improvements that would impact the cultural landscape, especially
North Road, through Alternative A’s comprehensive traffic and parking management
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