United States – Real Estate

The Office of Planning (OP) has worked with Ivy City residents,
community stakeholders and Washington, D.C., government agencies to
develop the Ivy City Small Area Plan (ICSAP). Ivy City is a
historically Black neighborhood characterized by a blend of
commercial and industrial spaces alongside smaller residential
units and has been burdened by racial, environmental, economic and
infrastructural inequities that have adversely affected the
community’s quality of life. Its proximity to the New York
Avenue NE corridor has also made it a focal point for urban
development.

What Is the ICSAP?

The ICSAP serves as a roadmap for Ivy City’s future,
aligning with the District’s Comprehensive Plan as viewed
through a racial equity lens. By engaging the residents, community
stakeholders and District agencies, the ICSAP aims to foster
positive change in the coming years. The draft plan provides
guidance on how to achieve equitable outcomes for all residents and
stakeholders. Through implementation, residents will see increased
investment for inclusive resources and neighborhood amenities, such
as affordable housing and new community gathering spaces, to
achieve the vision for Ivy City.

ICSAP Study Area

Source: Draft ICSAP

Key Recommendations

The draft plan outlines several key recommendations that expand
on existing District policies and programs to support
implementation and achieve desired outcomes in each focus area:
housing affordability, community resilience, and public realm and
urban design.

1. Housing Affordability & Opportunity. Ivy
   City will offer attainable and diverse homeownership and rental
   opportunities that support family and multigenerational households,
   alleviate cost burden for vulnerable residents and reduce risk of
   displacement.




2. Community Resilience. Ivy City will evolve
   into a healthier and more resilient community that protects and
   improves the well-being of all community members, regardless of
   age, gender, race, ethnicity or other socioeconomic factors. New
   infrastructure and access to technical support and resources will
   buffer the neighborhood from environmental and climate-induced
   impacts.




3. Public Space & Urban Design. Residents and
   visitors in Ivy City will feel welcome, safe and comfortable
   navigating the neighborhood’s public spaces. The designs and
   amenities reflect the needs of current and future residents and be
   rooted in “placekeeping” strategies that honor the
   neighborhood’s legacy and unique identity. Okie Street NE will
   be a vibrant neighborhood hub and commercial corridor, equipped
   with interactive gathering spaces and community-serving retail
   opportunities.

Public Feedback and Engagement

The draft ICSAP will be open for public feedback from through
Aug. 16, 2024. Community members can participate in several
ways:

1. Share your
   input.




2. Public Hearing. Join OP on Aug. 3, 2024, from
   10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church (1814 Central Place
   NE, Washington, DC 20002). Attendees can present three minutes of
   testimony, with language interpretation services available upon
   request. The proceedings will be transcribed.

Accessing the Plan

Next Steps

OP plans to share the finalized recommendations with the city
council in September 2024.