facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Impacts to Aesthetics/Visual Resources
No-Action Alternative
Under the No-Action Alternative, small scale site improvements would continue for site
improvements, building rehabilitation, and facilities updates related to safety, health, and
maintenance. There would be no changes to the landscape that would diminish the
existing views within the confines of the park, or impact views to the surrounding
neighborhoods, Rock Creek Park, or the Washington, DC skyline. Therefore, the No-
Action Alternative would have no impacts on aesthetics/visual resources
Alternative A
Under Alternative A, facility improvements have the potential to be visually impacting
by introducing new elements to the viewshed that could alter or block an existing view.
Projects under Alternative A that could have an impact to the notable views include:
Creation of new larger multi-species exhibits;
Revitalization of entries at Connecticut Avenue, Mid-Point entry, and Harvard
Street Bridge/Beach Drive;
Construction of a parking structure on Parking Lot C; and
Addition of an aerial tram.
The creation of new larger, multi-species exhibits has the potential to impact views
because of changes to the landscape necessary to construct new animal habitats or exhibit
space. Impacts for exhibit renewal could be adverse or beneficial pending on the design,
massing, and nature of the exhibit. The revitalization of Beaver Valley with a series of
bridges, structures, lifts, and ramps to mitigate the topography may impact views to and
from Rock Creek depending upon the size and location of this project. Care would be
taken during the design process to clearly articulate the presence of views for all exhibit
creations and renewals.
The revitalization of the entries at Connecticut Avenue, Mid-Point, and Harvard Street
Bridge/Beach Drive could impact views within the National Zoo. Another aspect of the
revitalization of the Mid-Point entry is the removal of the Great Ape House. Currently the
Great Ape House is located between the Small Mammals House and Reptile House and
partially blocks the views from Olmsted Walk to these two buildings. Removing this
structure would open up views to the Small Mammals House and the Reptile House.
The addition of four to five stories parking structure to the top of Parking Lot C would
have an adverse impact to views because of the mass of the structure. The impacts would
be minimized through context sensitive design. Filter views of the structure during the
winter months would be visible from Rock Creek Park. The impacts to viewsheds are
anticipated to be minor to moderate, long-term and adverse because of the added mass of
this facility to the views.
The aerial tram’s height would likely not exceed the height of the existing O-Line. The
aerial tram will provide a new and different opportunity to view the skyline. At the same
time, the aerial tram would add a new element to the viewshed and maybe visual from
properties outside of the zoo. The aerial tram poles, cable, and gondola cars would be
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 84 | P a g e