WASHINGTON D.C.
The Urban Development and Planning of Our Nations Capital
by Matthew Goodman
McMillan Continued
1901 - Present
Formally, The Report of the Senate Park Commission, The McMillan Plan changed the face of the National Mall forever. Created in 1902, by the Senate Park Commission, and championed by Michigan Senator, James McMillan, the McMillan plan was an early for of urban renewal (1). In addition to being the National Mall’s planning document, it was also designed to change Washington DC’s park system. Before the McMillan plan was created, Washington DC was somewhat blighted, with less than desirable architecture, and had a lack of public open space—the Senate Park Commission, was tasked with changing the course. Members of the newly created Senate Park Commission include: James McMillian (Chairman), Daniel Burnham, Charles Moore, Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr., Charles McKim, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
Figure 1: 1901 McMillan Plan
Figure 2: Michigan Senator James McMillan
Surprisingly, the McMillan Plan was never formally adopted by the U.S. Government, but was implemented, gradually over the course of decades, and it is presently still being looked at for guidance. Rooted in the City Beautiful Movement, the Plan’s buildings were crafted in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture, which focused on civic building, in a classical design style, consisting of various paintings and sculptures of the time. Some of the most known and cherished buildings and memorials were created by the McMillian Plan, including: The Lincoln Memorial, Union Station, U.S. Department of Agriculture building, Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge (1).
The McMillan Plan “focused on bringing the Mall into a unified entity,” meaning, the plan created a vision that would be enduring, lasting into future decades (2). Again, DC was unhappy with its current version of the mall, and to combat that, some of the major proposed elements of the McMillan Plan include: eliminating the Victorian Landscape of the Mall to be consistent with the Beaux-Arts style, clearing of the National Mall to become an open grassy field, creation of cultural centers and neoclassical museums, creation of reflecting pools, creating a new headquarters building for the Supreme Court, creation of new parks through an extensive park system with attached recreational facilities, creation of Union Station and the demolition of the existing one, and lastly, building terraces around the Washington Monument (1). But, be that as it may, dreams are great, but actually implementing the plan would prove to be difficult, but the need for open public space, so that the citizens can enjoy nature, creating a sense of place is of a supreme importance (3).
Even though there was an extensive publicity and promotion campaign, the plan still had its detractors. Then Speaker of the House, Joseph Cannon, was angry that the Senate Park Commission bypassed the House of Representatives when implementing the plan. Of course, this caused problems, specifically funding, but was resolved. In the promotion campaign, the Senate Park Commission stressed to the public and to Congress that the McMillan Plan was created to “recapture L’Enfant’s original plan, establish future design standards, extend the park system, and to protect views” (1). Some of the key factors in approving the plan were the destruction of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, and to begin construction of Union Station. Additionally, The Department of Agriculture Building was a contentious issue. The McMillan Commission called for a 450ft setback of the building, but then Secretary of Agriculture, James Wilson, approved a 300ft setback. The Department of Agriculture wanted a taller building to compensate, which was approved, but the building actually sits below ground level to offset its height. After all key issues were worked out, the plan passed and the Council of Fine Arts was created to be advisors during construction.
Figure 3: 1909 Department of Agriculture Building
In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt created the Council of Fine Arts, but was dissolved by Congress, but in 1910, new elected President Taft established the Commission of Fine Arts to replace the dissolved Council of Fine Arts and “to act in an advisory capacity on new construction in the central area of Washington…in accordance with the City Beautiful precepts laid down in the McMillan Plan.” (4)(1). The Commission on Fine Arts is composed of seven members, all of whom are presidentially appointed, serving four year terms, and that--most importantly, are well versed in fine art. Presently, some duties and responsibilities of the Council of Fine Arts is to “provide advice to the U.S. mint on design of coins and medals,” and “provide advice on Historic District of Georgetown (through the Old Georgetown Act, September 1950),” “administers the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program” (5). Lastly, some of the Council of Fine Arts recent projects include: Washington Latin Public Charter School, and the highly visible, Martin Luther King Memorial Inscription Modification (6). In addition to the creation of the Council on Fine Arts, another commission, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) was established to promulgate the McMillan plan.
At this time, no agency or commission had the authority to see the plan come to fruition and make decisions, but created by Congress in 1924, the twelve men National Capital Planning Commission was tasked, and authority was established to carry out the McMillan Plan. Their primary responsibilities include: creating the comprehensive plan, policy creation, and reviewing DC area projects (7). Essentially starting from the New Deal Programs, a public works program made available millions of dollars to start new construction on the National Mall and to make significant improvements. From 1929 to 1936 there were major improvements to the National Mall started by the NCPC, and specifically, William Olmstead. For instance, there was significant road building by the Bureau of Public Roads, extensive tree removal of the Mall, new lighting constructed, policy changes on setbacks for future buildings, but the Victorian style still remained--in total, around $600,000 was spent in creating the new landscape (1). In addition, from 1937-1966, there were small changes to the Mall, but most of the McMillan plan was complete by then. There was road work, where certain streets were renamed to former President’s names and realigned, and there was more tree removal due to some constant issues with the Mall’s Elm trees. Lastly, President Lyndon Johnson, from 1964-1968, started a beatification program that focused on landscape improvements; specifically planting of flowers, trees, and shrubs and made park and highway improvements.
History of Union Station and Washington Metro
Figure 4: Union Station Washington DC
One of the major factors in the passing of the McMillan Plan, Union Station, opened up its doors in October 1907. Not surprisingly, there were budget issues when being constructed; approximately 80% over budget causing unhappiness with the public and congressional leaders (8). Designed by Daniel Burnham, Union Station was built mostly of granite and marble in a neoclassical designed in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture with a grand front arch; “Union Station's arches symbolize its primary function as a gateway” (9). In 1967, there was reconstruction on Union Station to upgrade its façade and was completed on Independence Day, 1976. Later on, in 1981, Union station closed its doors for a $70 million dollar refurbishing, reopening in 1988. Present day, Amtrak will be renovating the iconic station to the tune of $7 billion dollars over the next 15-20 years (9).
Using Union station as its hub, it is important to talk about Washington DC’s transportation network and the history of the Washington D.C. Metro. In 1952, the National Capital Planning Act was passed that served as the precursor to building DC’s transportation network. In 1967, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was founded to set out in “planning, developing, building, financing, and operating a balanced regional transportation system,” serving the DC metro residents (10). In 1988, the Metro hit a milestone, and carries its 1 billionth passenger; and in 1995, the Metro carries its 2 billionth passenger (11). Sadly, in September 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks hit the Pentagon. The Metrorail assisted by moving passengers that were affected by the horrible events. In addition, even though most buses, trains, and airplanes were suspended, certain Metrobus busses provided help in moving people along during the tragedy, and on October 13th and 14th, the city offered free transportation, garnering public support (11).
Figure 5: Washington DC Metrorail System
Source: Wikimedia
The Metro of today is very different from the past. Most stations were designed by an architect from Chicago, Harry Weese, in a late century modern architecture style (12). The Metro, consisting of rail and buses, is the second largest heavy rail transit system and sixth largest U.S. bus network (12). The network is large, over 106.3 miles of trains and buses, at 86 metro stations, serving a population of 3.5 million within a 1,500 square mile area with 42% of residents that work in downtown take the Metro. (12). There are 50.5 miles of subway track along with 47 stations, serving trains that can reach up to 59mph, but 33 mph on average.
History of Washington DC Zoning
Figure 6: Current Washington DC Zoning Map
In the 1920, Washington DC became one of the first cities to develop a zoning ordinance, following closely behind New York City. The Zoning Act of 1920 established Washington DC’s zoning commission; consisting of three appointed commissioners. Height districts and use districts were the primary reason of the zoning act, but did not grant the Zoning Commission police powers. In 1938, another zoning act was passed that “established police power of the zoning commission to regulate height and bulk, lot occupancy of buildings, and location of uses” (13). There were many growing pains DC was going through at this time: street congestion, fire safety, reduction of panic, promotes health, transportation, etc. were all goals of the Zoning Act of 1938 (13). Knowing that odd and unusual situation can occur with zoning, the Board of Zoning Adjustment was also created to handle these matters. Next, in 1950, a comprehensive plan was created, and a complete revamp of DC’s zoning regulations was enacted, but in 1956, under the Lewis Plan, Harry Lewis recommended that a major zoning overhaul be performed because the Board of Zoning Adjustment commissioners overstepped their authority in issuing too many variances. So, a unified set of zoned districts, which some are operating today, was proposed and adopted. Lastly, the Home Rule Act of 1973 “established three local members, whom are appointed by the mayor, and would replace the Zoning Commissioner and the Council on Zoning Commission (13).
Work Cited
(1) (www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan/Documents/Studies/m2.pdf).
(2) Feldman, Judy Scott. "A Third Century Mall." National Parks 79, no. 3 (Summer2005 2005): 20-196. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed March 5, 2013)
(3) Capper, Arthur. "Plans to Beautify the National Capital." Congressional Digest 6, no. 12 December 1927): 339-340. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed March 5, 2013)
(4) (http://www.cfa.gov/about/index.html)
(5) (http://www.cfa.gov/)
(6) (http://www.cfa.gov/meetings/recent.html)
(7) (http://www.ncpc.gov/ncpc/Main(T2)/About_Us(tr2)/AboutUs.html)
(8) (http://www.washingtonunionstation.com/history.html)
(9) (http://www.unionstationdc.com/info/infohistory)
(10) (http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/)
(11) (http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/docs/history.pdf
(12) (http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/docs/metrofacts.pdf).
