facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
homes, would follow the Secretary of the Interiors Guidelines for the Treatment of
Historic Properties.
In summary, Alternative A would have minor to moderate long term adverse impacts to
the National Zoo Historic Site, as the proposed new construction would physically and
visually impact several character-defining features. Alternative A would also have minor
to moderate long term beneficial impacts to the National Zoo Historic Site through the
restoration of the setting between the Small Mammal House and Reptile House and the
rehabilitation of the Holt House.
Alternative B
Under Alternative B, facility improvements would result in renovation of older exhibits,
construction of new entrances into the National Zoo, installation of new transportation
facilities, and rehabilitation of administrative facilities. These improvements would have
physical and visual impacts to resources that contribute to the significance of the National
Register-listed National Zoo Historic Site. As a result, Alternative B would result in
direct and indirect, long-term, moderate adverse impacts to historic resources. Under
Section 106, Alternative B would have an adverse effect. SI has initiated consultation
through the Section 106 process with the Washington, DC Historic Preservation Office.
As a result of this consultation, a programmatic agreement will be sought that identifies
future review requirements and mitigation to be employed during project development.
Future design would consider ways to minimize impacts to the National Zoo Historic Site
and the historic structures that comprise the Site, such as following the principles outlined
in The Secretary of the Interiors Guidelines for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Projects under Alternative B that could have an adverse effect to historic resources
include:
Creation of new larger multi-species exhibit areas;
Rehabilitation of older exhibits in historic buildings;
Revitalization of entries at Connecticut Avenue and Harvard Street Bridge/Beach
Drive; and
Rehabilitation of the service buildings, such as Propagation Building and the Holt
House.
The creation of new larger multi-species exhibit areas will physically impact the National
Zoo Historic Site because new exhibit spaces would cause changes to the setting, feeling,
and association. New construction also introduces new visual features in the viewshed.
The rehabilitation of older exhibits, such as the rehabilitation of the Small Mammal
House, the Reptile Discovery Center, the Think Tank, the Bird House, and the Great
Flight Cage could impact these buildings as they are contributing structures to the
National Zoo Historic Site. However, it is anticipated that rehabilitation of these
buildings 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
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