facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
building systems, interior renovations, and exhibit renewals. Exterior changes to the
buildings’ character-defining features are not anticipated. However, if such work were
needed, rehabilitation efforts would strive for final designs that retain architectural
features that make each building unique as well as retain the massing, exterior materials,
and fenestration pattern which is in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s
Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
The revitalization of older exhibits will physically impact the Camel Building and the
Peccaries Building, as they will be relocated.
The revitalization of the entries at Connecticut Avenue, the Mid-Point entry, and Harvard
Street Bridge/Beach Drive would have physical and visual effects on the design, setting,
feeling, and association of the National Zoo Historic Site. The revitalization of the entry
at Connecticut Avenue would impact the setting through the expansion of the existing
visitor center and the construction of the aerial tram. In particular these actions may
diminish the setting in the area of the Stone Guard Shack and may require the removal of
the stone entry piers. The construction of an aerial tram station would physically and
visually impact the National Zoo Historic Site through the introduction of a new visual
feature.
The revitalization of the Mid-Point entry would physically and visually impact the
setting, feeling, and association of the National Zoo Historic Site. In Alternative A, the
Great Ape House would be demolished. The Great Ape House is located between two of
the National Zoo’s most notable historic structures–the Small Mammals House and the
Reptile House. The result of the demolition of a non-contributing building would restore
the original viewshed between these two historic structures; the subsequent new
construction would be setback further and designed with a smaller scale to retain this
important spatial relationship. In addition, the O-Line would be moved or relocated
depending on future collection planning. As well, the National Zoo’s setting would be
impacted visually through the construction of the aerial tram. However, it is anticipated
that the aerial tram would not be higher than the existing the O-Line and that visual
impacts would be minimized through existing vegetation.
The rehabilitation of service buildings would impact the setting, feeling, and association
of the National Zoo Historic Site. Alternative A proposes the rehabilitation of the
Propagation Building and the Holt House. It is anticipated that rehabilitation of the
Propagation Building will generally be restricted to interior modifications to include
upgrading the building systems, interior renovations, and exhibit renewals. Exterior
changes to the buildings’ character-defining features are not anticipated. However, if
such work were needed, rehabilitation efforts would strive for final designs that retain
architectural features that make it unique as well as retain the massing, exterior materials,
and fenestration pattern which is in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s
Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
The Holt House is individually listed in the National Register. Plans to rehabilitate this
structure, which derives its significance as one of the remaining 5-part Georgian plan
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