Sometimes described as the America’s Main Street, Pennsylvania Avenue experienced significant change under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation in the 1970s. This National Historic Site is now being “reimagined” under the auspices of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) working with the National Park Service, the General Services Administration, the DC Office of Planning, and other DC agencies. NCPC anticipates that in 2025 they will provide initial concept design alternatives and see public input with the goal of having a final draft plan for Commission review by 2026 which is the US semiquincentennial (250th anniversary).
Document Library
- Pennsylvania Avenue
Pennsylvania Avenue
C100 Comments to NCPC on the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative
Committee of 100's April 27, 2026 Comments to NCPC on the Design Concepts for the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative dedicated to the revitalization of what has been called America’s Main Street – that 1.2-mile section of Pennsylvania Avenue in the Nation’s Capital.
C100 Comment to NCPC on A New Vision for the Avenue
Carol Aten, John Fondersmith, & Pat Tiller
The Committee of 100 on the Federal City has a long interest in the planning and development of Pennsylvania Avenue (see comment letters from 2014 and 2013 below). The National Capital Planning Commission and other federal and District agencies began the "Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative" almost ten years ago. The latest phase of that work is the concept plan, "A New Vision for the Avenue", which NCPC released in March for a 120 day review period (March 16-July 13, 2022). This plan outlines three different design concepts for Pennsylvania Avenue and suggests enhancement of three "urban rooms" along the Avenue. The Committee of 100 letter makes a strong recommendation for the "Urban Capital" concept which calls for maintaining the historic linear design of the Avenue while providing additional space for landscape improvement, pedestrian movement and space for public events.
C100 Comments FBI JEH Building NEPA Scoping
Nancy MacWood
The Committee of 100 on the Federal City is asking GSA to give priority to ensuring that the future redevelopment of the J. Edgar Hoover Building-FBI Headquarters site enhances the appearance and vitality of Pennsylvania Avenue.
C100 Comments Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative
Nancy MacWood
In moving forward with the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, NCPC and the other agencies and organizations involved should give special consideration to collecting information on various aspects of Pennsylvania Avenue and making it available in understandable form, both in text and graphics. The same is true for the proposals for future development and activation as they are prepared. We note some categories for study in the “Big and Little Ideas for the Avenue” section below.
C100 Comments on Pennsylvania Avenue Historic Site Plan
Nancy MacWood
Comments of The Committee of 100 on the Federal City (written by Richard Houghton and John Fondersmith) on the Initial Updated Concepts for Pennsylvania Avenue urging that the larger and longer-range planning program must carry the late 20th century vision for Pennsylvania Avenue into the 21st century.