Potomac Hill

Potomac Hill 

Campus Master Plan 

11.5.2015 

NCPC Informational Briefing 

“Observing the Past, Planning the Future” 

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Potomac Hill Campus Master Plan 

NCPC Informational Briefing

Welcome 

Stephanie Leedom 

Project Manager 

Nancy Witherell 

Regional Historic 

Preservation Officer 

Mina Wright 

Director, Planning & Design 

Dawud Abdur-Rahman 

Director of Planning 

Kristi Tunstall Williams 

Director, Historic Preservation 

and the Arts 

David Grossweiler 


Bob Sanders 

Federal Preservation Officer, 

Special Projects 

Adam Bodner 

Director, Real Property 

Management 

Tim Canan 


Steve Bedford 

Section 106 Lead 

Jean Carroon 

Lead Preservation Planner 

Nicolaas Veraart 

Lead Environmental Planner 

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The Potomac Hill Campus Master Plan 

Project Background 

• The master plan will provide GSA and DOS with a structured framework for the future 

use of Potomac Hill that, if implemented, will transform the site into a unified, state-ofthe-art 

federal campus to serve the long-term needs of DOS. The master plan will lay 

the foundation for the development of the campus with the goal of preserving the 

cultural legacy of the site while also responding to the development needs of DOS. 

View of the Naval Observatory (Building 2) 

from the Washington Monument, 1885. 

(Credit: Naval Medical Department) 

Aerial View of Potomac Hill today 

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Project Background 

• The Potomac Hill site became available immediately adjacent to the 

existing Department of State Headquarters on 23 rd Street. 

• GSA acquired the site on behalf of DOS in order to relocate dispersed 

operations to Potomac Hill, reduce costs, improve operational 

efficiencies and improve security for staff and functions. 

• In addition to its Headquarters, DOS maintains space in numerous 

leased facilities throughout Foggy Bottom and Northern Virginia, creating 

inefficiencies in operation and security management, as well as costly 

lease and relocation situations. 

• Federally-owned facilities provide long-term cost savings for US 

taxpayers. 

• A master plan, EIS, Section 106 consultation, and TMP are currently 

underway to guide the redevelopment of the site. 

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Potomac Hill Site 

Potomac 

Annex 

Navy 

Hill 

Building 6 & 7 

USIP 

APHA 

Parcels remaining in Navy control 

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Site Characteristics and Context 

• Set on a high promontory, rising from the south and west 

• Distinct topographical character bisects East/West portions of the site 

• Northwest corner was altered by E-St expy.; urban context to the North; 

Southeast corner – connection to HST; retaining wall along 23 rd 

• Uniform scale and character exists around Old Naval Observatory (NHL) 

while Architectural character varies at Navy Hill 

• Three Flag Officer residences are maintained by Navy 

• Trees, landscape features, Prime Meridian axis 

• Views to and from the site 

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East Building 

South Building 

Central Building 

Building 2 (Nat. Historic Landmark) Building 3 

Navy Quarters AA 

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View from Site to Arlington National Cemetery 

View to Site from Arlington Memorial Bridge 

View from Site to Lincoln Memorial Maury Circle Navy Hill Courtyard 

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Early Site History 

• The highest point in 

the L’Enfant plan 

• Proposed as a 

fortification on 1792 

Ellicott Plan of 

Washington. 

• Suggested by 

Thomas Jefferson as 

the location of the 

President’s house. 

• Marine encampment 

predating the 8 th and I 

Street, SE barracks. 

• Topography was 

critical in the site’s 

selection as the U.S. 

Naval Observatory in 

1842. 

L’Enfant Plan of Washington, 1792 

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Site Chronology and Period of Significance 

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The Potomac Hill Master Plan 

We Are Here 

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Master Planning Considerations 

• Sense of Place 

• Site Topography and Visibility 

• Views To and From the Site 

• Campus Edges 

• Connections 

• Planning Relationships and 

Operational Efficiency 

• Preservation and Adaptive 

Reuse of Historic Resources 

• Campus Landscapes 

• Campus Identity, Structure 

and Cohesiveness 

• Site Environment/ 

Sustainability 

• Access and Circulation 

• Parking 

• Security 

• Prior Agreements 

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No-Action Alternative 

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Development Alternative A 

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Development Alternative B 

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Development Alternative C 

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Alternatives Comparison 

No Action 

Alternative A 

Alternative B 

Alternative C 

Construction Type 

Area 

GSF USF 

Existing 277,925 161,353 

New 0 0 


Area 

GSF USF 

Existing 212,208 121,647 

New 391,100 254,215 


Area 

GSF USF 

Existing 227,808 130,695 

New 374,000 243,100 


Area 

GSF USF 

Existing 125,408 71,303 

New 461,600 300,040 

Total 277,925 161,353 

Total 603,308 375,862 

Total 601,808 373,795 

Total 587,008 371,343 

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Development Alternatives 

Commonalities 

• Adaptive reuse of as many buildings and site features as possible while 

meeting the DOS Purpose and Need 

• Preservation of the NHL Building 2 (Old Naval Observatory) 

• Create a unified campus 

• Maximize office use, minimize dining facilities and other amenities 

• Protection of landscape features and trees 

• ISC Level 4 

• Parking accommodated in a below-grade parking garage 

• Increased public access 

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Projected Milestones 

Milestone 

Projected Date 

Consulting Parties Meeting: Effects and Mitigation Early 2016 

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Spring 2016 

Draft Programmatic Agreement Spring 2016 

CFA Meeting on Preliminary Master Plan Spring 2016 

NCPC Meeting on Preliminary Master Plan Summer 2016 

Executed Programmatic Agreement Summer 2016 

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Fall 2016 

CFA Meeting on Final Master Plan Fall 2016 

Signed Record of Decision Winter 2016/2017 

NCPC Meeting on Final Master Plan Early 2017 

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Questions & Comments 

• Contact: 

Stephanie Leedom 

Project Manager, GSA 

stephanie.leedom@gsa.gov 

202.401.2196 

Nancy Witherell 

Regional Historic Preservation Officer, GSA 

nancy.witherell@gsa.gov 

202.260.0663 

• Project Website: www.gsa.gov/potomachill 

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Potomac Hill

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