iv. existing conditions...

iv. existing conditions anaLYsis

IV. EXISTING CONDITIONSANALYSISOverviewA detailed analysis of the existing conditions at the St.Elizabeths West Campus was conducted in order to gain a thorough understanding of the site, its historic buildings, landscape resources and views, its organization, infrastructure and urban design, as well as its natural environment. This analysis helped determine the opportunities for and constraints to redevelopment on the site, and shape the Planning Principles which form the basis of the Master Plan.

While this Master Plan locates development on both, the West and East campuses, a detailed Existing Conditions Analysis for the East Campus parcel will be developed at a later stage.

Regional Context

LocationThe St. Elizabeths West Campus is located on a 176-acre site in the Congress Heights neighborhood of southeast Washington, D.C. It is approximately 1 ½ miles southeast of the U.S. Capitol building and monumental core of the city.

AccessRegional vehicular access to the St. Elizabeth’s West Campus is provided via I-95, I-270, MD 295, D.C. 295 and I-295 from the north; I-395, I-95, and I-295 from the south; US 50 and I-66 from the west; and I-97 and US 50 from the east. These routes all lead to Suitland Parkway and/or Malcolm X Avenue in the vicinity of St. Elizabeths.

Figure 4.0 – Regional Context

50’0’

50’100’

200’

Existing Conditions Analysis | 25The DHS Headquarters Consolidation atSt. Elizabeths Final Master Plan

NOVEMBER 10, 2008 – NCPC SUBMISSION

Local ContextThe St. Elizabeths West Campus, located in Ward 8 in the District of Columbia, is bordered by the Barry Farm housing development to the north, Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and the East Campus of St. Elizabeths to the east, the Congress Heights residential neighborhood to the south, and I-295 and Naval Support Facility Anacostia to the west.

The East Campus of St. Elizabeths is in the early stages of planning for redevelopment by the District of Columbia. Recently completed projects include the District of Columbia Unified Communications Center. A new hospital for St. Elizabeths is under construction and a proposed mixed-use development including retail and housing is proposed for the East Campus. The Barry Farm housing development to the north of the site is undergoing redevelopment planning as well.

Figure 4.1 – Site ContextSource: D.C. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) by D.C. OCTO (Office of the Chief Technology Officer)

50’ 0’ 50’ 100’ 200’

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AVENUE

I-295

26 | Existing Conditions Analysis The DHS Headquarters Consolidation atSt. Elizabeths Final Master Plan


Land UseExisting land uses around St. Elizabeths West Campus are predominantly federal, local public, and residential. A significant amount of land is occupied by federal uses, including Naval Support Facility Anacostia to the west and National Park Service land to the south and northeast. Local Public is represented by the St. Elizabeths East Campus. Residential uses are prominent around the site, with government assisted housing (Barry Farm) and single family neighborhoods (Congress Heights). Commercial uses are scattered throughout the area, mainly along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Industrial, and institutional uses along with parks and open space can also be found in proximity to the site.

Figure 4.2 – Land UseSource: D.C. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) by D.C. OCTO (Office of the Chief Technology Officer)

Barry Farm

I-295

Bolling Air Force Base

ShepherdParkway

Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

St. Elizabeths East Campus

50’ 0’ 50’ 100’ 200’

Anacostia River

CongressHeights

North Parcel

Naval Support Facility Anacostia


LEGEND

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Institutional

Federal Public

Local Public

Parks and Open Space

Water

Transportation Rights-of-Way


St. Elizabeths West Campus

Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

Anacostia Freeway / I-295

Suitland Parkway

Bolling Air Force Base

Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

SE Federal Center/Navy Yard

11th Street Bridges


LEGEND

Metro Station

Metro Rail Line

Rail Road Line

Major Roads

Nearby Roads

Walks from Metro

Major Traffic Intersection

Site Boundary

National Parks

D.C. Parks

River

SE Community Hospital – Anacostia Bus Line

Anacostia – Congress Heights Bus Line

Anacostia – Fort Drum Bus Line

Bus RoutesFigure 4.3 – Location and Local Access MapSource: D.C. OCTO (Office of the Chief Technology Officer) – D.C. GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

34

5

6 7

8

8

50’0’

50’100’

200’

A4, A5

A8, A48

A2, A42A6, A7, A46

W2, W3

A2, A6,A7, A7,

A42,A46,A48

A42, A43, A48

A#, W#


Local Access and Public TransportationAccess to the St. Elizabeths West Campus is currently provided from two gates along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Regional vehicular traffic can reach Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue via Malcolm X Avenue, South Capitol Street, Howard Road (from I-295 and Suitland Parkway), and Sumner Road.

The campus is located within 0.75 miles from the Anacostia Metro Station and approximately one mile from the Congress Heights Metro Station. In addition, a number of bus routes run along the Martin LutherKing Jr. Avenue corridor providing accessibility to local destinations including the Anacostia Metrorail Station.

Pedestrian access to the campus is provided along sidewalks on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The area has bicycle routes and paths along South Capitol Street and Suitland Parkway. However, traffic conditions along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue are considered poor for bicycling according to the District Department of Transportation.



North ParcelThe North Parcel of the St. Elizabeths East Campus consists of approximately 23 acres located south of the Unified Communications Center and north of the “historic core” of the East Campus. The North Campus parcel includes one entrance at the southern end of the parcel at Gatehouse 3.

The East Campus contains approximately 19 buildings contributing to the St. Elizabeths National Historic

Landmark. The North Campus parcel contains two of those contributing buildings: Building 83 - Horse Barn and Building 88 - Blackburn Laboratory. The North Campus parcel also contains four non-contributing buildings. Ofthe six main buildings on the parcel, only three (Buildings 81, 81A, and 83) are currently in use. Buildings 79 and 85 were recently relocated on to the North Parcel. GSA will clarify their status once a detailed existing conditions analysis is developed for the East Campus at a later stage.

North Parcel


81A

87

88

120

83

81


NorthParcel

St. Elizabeths West Campus


Figure 4.4 – North Parcel Location Map Figure 4.5 – North Parcel


St.Elizabeths West Campus

Site OverviewThere are a significant number of existing conditions that define the St. Elizabeths West Campus. They are represented by the hospital’s historical and cultural resources, including historic buildings, landscapes, views, and discovered and potential archaeological sites; access and circulation; the natural environment; and the utility infrastructure.

Site HistorySt. Elizabeths Hospital was a landmark in the mid-nineteenth century social reform movement that sought to provide care for the mentally ill. Dorothea LyndeDix, a noted American social reformer, philanthropist, author, and educator, helped establish St. Elizabeths as the Government Hospital for the Insane in 1852. Its purpose, according to the March 3, 1855, legislation that organized the hospital, was to provide “the most humane and enlightened curative treatment of the insane of the army and navy of the United States, and of the Districtof Columbia.” The proposed hospital was to be “a model institution, embracing all the improvements which science, skill, and experience, have introduced into modern establishments” and a “symbol to the world of American progress in scientific and humanitarian endeavors.”

A model institution in the Nation’s Capital since its inception, St. Elizabeths was consistently in the forefront of treatment for mental illness – playing a national role in developing enlightened and innovated standards of care for state hospital systems across the country. Under the skillful leadership of its superintendents and medical personnel, the hospital gained national and international renown as a pioneer in clinical applications and scientific research, as well as for its training, therapies, and treatment programs. Over time, the hospital’s physical plant, structure, and architecture changed dramatically to reflect innovative philosophies about the treatment of the mentally ill.

National Historic Landmark (NHL) StatusThe Secretary of the Interior recognized the exceptional national significance of St. Elizabeths Hospital in March 1991 by designating it as a National Historic Landmark(NHL), in accordance with the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. NHLstatus is the highest level of recognition given to historic properties in the United States, and mandates that it be treated as a high national preservation priority.

50’ 0’ 50’ 100’ 200’

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Figure 4.6 – Aerial PhotoSource: WGIS – National Capital Planning Commission


Sweetgum Ln.

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Gate 1Gate 2


Figure 4.9 – View of Building 40 (Power House Stacks beyond)

The following points of medical significance clarify and amplify the significance contained in the National Historic Landmark designation material.

• St. Elizabeths Hospital was the first hospital to implement the 1852 propositions of the Association of Medical Superintendents for American Institutions for the Insane (AMSAII), which set forth the construction and administration of asylums. St. Elizabeths was also the first federal hospital for the insane.

• Dorothea Dix was intimately involved in its establishment, selecting both the site and the asylum’s first superintendent.

• Among its first four medical superintendents were influential members and presidents of AMSAII and its successor organizations, the American-Medico-Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association.

• St. Elizabeths was in the forefront of treatment for mental illness. It was among the first American hospitals to make specific provision for treating African Americans and among the first to employ a clinical pathologist.

• William White, superintendent from 1903-1937, was instrumental in establishing Freudian psychotherapy in the United States.

• From 1946-1958, Ezra Pound, the father of literary modernism, was a patient at St. Elizabeths.

The dominant treatment philosophy for the majority of the nineteenth century was “moral treatment,” a philosophy that stressed the therapeutic qualities of an institution’s physical design and environment in effecting a cure. The form of an asylum – its site, building, and grounds – was considered of critical importance to emotional and psychological factors in the recovery process. As with other institutions of this era of enlightenment, every physical detail was deliberately designed and planned to reinforce therapeutic goals. The aim was to provide an ideal, virtually self-sufficient community to serve as the setting for highly structured activity that would cure mental illness. The intense interrelationship between the physical environment and care standards continued through various superintendents and types of treatment throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Figure 4.8 – View of Building 64

Figure 4.12 – View of Center Building Tower (Building 1)

Figure 4.7 – View of Oak Allée looking towards the Center Building (Building 6)

Figure 4.11 – View looking towards the Power HouseFigure 4.10 – Cemetery



Figure 4.13 – Existing St. Elizabeths West Campus PlanSource: Site Engineering Survey by Greenhorne & O’Mara (2005); Landscape Elements Data – St. Elizabeths West Campus Landscape Assessment Plan by Heritage Landscapes (2005); Laser Scan Surveyby Optira (2006); Aerial Photo by WGIS – National Capital Planning Commission

LEGEND

Existing Buildings

Roads

Boundary Line

Trees

The St. Elizabeths West Campus TodayAfter determining that it no longer had a need for the property, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which had operated the mental hospital, declared the St. Elizabeths West Campus as “excess” in January 2001. GSA took control of the property for redevelopment in December, 2004. Today, the West Campus is not used or occupied. Currently all of the buildings have been stabilized. Some of the buildings are in fair condition, while some are in very poor condition with rotten floors and deteriorated walls.

GSA has invested nearly $28 million to date to evaluate, stabilize, repair, secure, and maintain the historic campus.

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

Gate 1Gate 2

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Site ParcelsTo facilitate the description of the major elements of the campus, the site is described as consisting of five numbered Site Parcels. The boundaries of these parcels relate to the landscape units defined in the “St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report” (Heritage Landscapes and Robinson & Associatates, 2007).

Site Parcel 1This parcel contains the most significant views towards Washington, D.C. and Virginia, housing the majority of buildings in the historic core including the iconic Center Building (1-8). It also includes the two historic gates along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, the allée of trees reaching out to the Center Building, and The Point.

Site Parcel 2This parcel contains the southern formal open space surrounded by major historic buildings; 64, 67, 68, 69, 72, 73, 74, and 75. It also contains the underground connection to the St. Elizabeths East Campus.

Site Parcel 3A largely undeveloped portion of the site, this parcel spans across the entire northern boundary from the grassy site of the Greenhouses (20) to the successional woodland growth on the western slopes.

Site Parcel 4This parcel which contains steep slopes and a ravine, includes the Warehouse buildings (118, 118A) and Power House (56, 57). The stacks from the Power House can be seen from various regional points beyond the campus.

Site Parcel 5 This parcel is heavily forested in steep slopes and contains the historic cemetery.

Figure 4.14 – Site Parcel Diagram


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.

Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

Site Parcels Key Map


Site and Building Elevations

Site ElevationsThe majority of the campus existing development is located on its flat plateau at elevations varying from 150’ to 170’ above mean sea level (msl).

A few buildings such as the warehouse (118, 118A), the Power House (56 & 57) and Ice House (52) are located outside of the plateau area.

Building ElevationsThe existing building elevations in the West Campus reflect the character and scale of the settings generated by the most progressive thinking in the design of hospital facilities and the evolution of care and treatment of the mentally ill. The buildings on the West Campus include those constructed for patient care, administration, patient security, staff housing, recreation, occupational and physical therapy, and for the support and service of the hospital functions.

The tallest structure on campus is the tower of the Center Building. It sits on the main plateau area, measuring approximately 251 feet above mean sea level. Thispredominant feature of the site is an important reference point to identify the location of the campus from the surrounded neighborhoods and regions.

Another significant reference point on the campus is represented by the two stacks of the Power House building (buildings 56, 57) which are visible from the surrounding region.

Figure 4.15 – Site and Building Elevations

LEGEND0’-15’

15’-20’

20’-25’

25’-30’

30’-35’

35’-40’

40’-45’

45’-50’

50’-55’

55’-60’

60’-65’

65’-70’

70’-75’

75’-80’

80’-85’

85’-90’

90’-95’

95’-100’

100’-105’

105’-110’

110’-115’

115’-120’

120’-125’

125’-130’

130’-135’

135’-140’

140’-145’

145’-150’

150’-155’

155’-160’

160’-165’

165’-170’

Land Elevation above MSL

(Building Number) andExisting Building Elevation

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

xxx’(#)(#) xxx’xxx’


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.



LEGEND

Contributing Buildings

Non-Contributing Buildings

Cemetery

Site Boundary

Historic and Visual ResourcesThe historic resources of the existing St. Elizabeths West Campus NHL consist of three main elements: Buildings, Landscapes, and Views. These are further described in the following pages. This Master Plan addresses the historic and visual resources that currently exist on the site as documented in the Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) which identifies the past changes in the landscape and built environment that led to the current disposition of buildings, landscapes and views.

Historic Resources

Contributing and Noncontributing BuildingsThere are currently 70 existing buildings located on the St. Elizabeths West Campus, 62 of which are identified as contributing to the National Historic Landmark.

They are arranged in two principal groupings.

The first and older grouping was constructed between 1852 and 1899. It is dominated by the large GothicRevival Center Building and occupies the bluff overlooking the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. These buildings illustrate two seminal approaches to the treatment of the mentally ill: the early Kirkbride plan of individual patient rooms combined with treatment, staff, dining and recreational facilities in a single building, and the cottage plan of dormitory style living facilities, separated from treatment, dining and recreational. Both types of facilities separated patients by gender and type of illness. Both relied on the thoughtful setting of buildings in natural surroundings and on the therapeutic benefits of the landscaped grounds.

The second grouping dates from the early 1900s and was built as part of a major congressionally funded expansion. These buildings are configured as cottage style facilities, and their placement was influenced by the ideas of Olmsted and Associates, the successor to Frederick LawOlmsted’s renowned landscape architecture firm.

In addition to treatment and residential facilities, the contributing buildings include support structures, such as the Bakery, Power House and Ice House, staff residences, and administrative buildings.

In all, the buildings consist of approximately 1.2 million gross square feet of space as shown in table 4.0.

Figure 4.16 – Contributing and Noncontributing BuildingsSource: National Historic Landmark Nomination, 1991

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.

Cedar Dr.Holly St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

Ash

St.



Table 4.0 - Contributing and Noncontributing BuildingsSource: National Historic Landmark Nomination, 1991; GSF numbers from GSA studies

Note: Gross Square Footages for the existing buildings are based on GSA provided laser scans and are based on the most current information at this time and are subject to further verification by GSA as the project

moves into the design and implementation phases. Laser scans were provided for only some of the basements. Gross Square Footages are based on updated information about the potential usability of the existing

buildings in terms of existing basement level spaces etc. and on updated information about the internal organization of the DHS program. GSA will conduct building preservation plans and structural surveys as part

of the design and implementation phases of the project and will update any variances to the existing space square footages at that time.

Historic Resources

Contributing and Noncontributing Buildings

Bldg # Name GSF

1 Center

265,800 total

2 Center 2

3 Center 3

4 Center 4

5 Center 5

6 Center 6

8 Center 8

11 Storage Shed 5,925

12 Mech. Elec. Shops 26,927

15 Staff Residence #1 3,210

16 Pumping Station 3,410


18 Burrough's Cottage 5,495

20a Greenhouse

17,904 total

20b Greenhouse

20c Greenhouse

20d Greenhouse

20e Greenhouse

20f Greenhouse

20g Greenhouse

20h Greenhouse

21 Gatehouse #1 2,075

23 Allison D 22,830

24 Allison C 5,474

25 Allison A 6,702

26 Allison B 6,720

Bldg # Name GSF


28 Linden 4,110

29 Holly 9,180

30 East Lodge – Nurses 15,275

31 Atkins 13,180

32 Relief 49,525

33 Dining Hall28,995 total

34 Kitchen

36 Homes 40,250

37 Hitchcock 28,723

38 Hagen 11,658

39 General Store 660

40 The Rest – Library 6,615

41 Engine House 3,740

44 Old Storeroom

48,092 total45 General Kitchen

46 Bakery

49 Construction Shops 34,665

52 Boiler House, Ice Plant 5,155

53 Tool House 982

55 Locomotive House 1,142

56 Power House 40,818 total

57 Power House

60 J Building 15,656

62 Transformer Room 154

63 Transformer Room 60

Bldg # Name GSF

64 L Building 21,075

66 K Building 20,500


68 Q Building 36,604

69 E Building 23,570

70 Employee's Cafeteria 5,935

71 Fan House 330

72 M Building 14,800

73 C Building 45,000

74 A Administration Building 44,065

75 B Building 45,000


77 Comfort Station 205

78 Gatehouse #2 350

118 Warehouse, Laundry, Annex185,720 total

118A Warehouse, Laundry, Annex

123 Incinerator 1,950

130 Storage Building 10,560

Total # of Contributing Bldgs = 62

Total GSF of Contributing Bldgs 1,030,029

Total # of Non-Contributing Bldgs = 8

Total GSF of Non-Contributing Bldgs 234,822

Total # of Existing Bldgs = 70

Total GSF of Existing Bldgs 1,264,851

LEGEND

Contributing Buildings

Non-Contributing Buildings


Historic Resources

SignificanceThe architectural and historical significance of each building was evaluated based upon the 1993 Historic Resources Management Plan, an updated significance evaluation prepared by Betty Bird in 2005, the NationalRegister and National Historic Landmark applications, and the District of Columbia Landmarks application. Significance evaluation used the following criteria.

Association with 19th – early 20th century institutions for the insane—Historic hospitals for the insane functioned as small communities. Buildings and features can be seen as critical elements comprising a single system – a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Most of the contributing buildings at St. Elizabeths enhance the understanding of the historic resource.

Administrative exemplars— The Medical Superintendent presided over the hospital and its operation. Thesuperintendent set the hospital’s priorities, supervised its operations, and formulated its treatment philosophy. Administrative buildings reinforced the authority of the superintendent to patients, staff, and outside visitors. Consequently, the Center Building communicates the character of the 19th century congregate asylum. Buildings A, B, and C, which constitute the Administration Building and treatment wings serve the same purpose for the early 20th century.

Residential facilities demonstrating treatment philosophy—The manner in which patients were housed constituted a critical element of medical treatment. St.Elizabeths West Campus includes housing that exemplifies the 19th century debate about congregate treatment of all patients within wards under the same roof vs. segregate treatment of incurable cases in separate cottages.

Support building exemplars—The utilitarian support buildings at St. Elizabeths enrich our understanding of the size and scale of the hospital’s operations. Many of these buildings constitute the working environment at St.Elizabeths and communicate the manner in which patients and staff experienced the institution.

Architectural style—Architectural style at St. Elizabeths communicates the importance the Federal government placed on the care of its vulnerable citizens. Many of the buildings can be singled out as exemplars of their architectural style.

Association with significant individuals—St. Elizabeths is associated with the active life of five significant individuals. Dorothea Dix founded the movement that

resulted in the construction of asylums throughout the United States. Charles Nichols and William Godding, the two 19th century medical superintendents, helped develop mental health treatment in the 19th century. William Alanson White was instrumental to introducing Freudian psychotherapy to the United States. I.W. Blackburn, who was associated with Building 40, was a pioneering pathologist.

Association with Civil War history—Like many buildings in Washington, D.C., St. Elizabeths served as a hospital during the Civil War. There is also a cemetery on the West Campus which was used during the war.

Association with African American history—St.Elizabeths has the distinction of being the first American hospital to make specific provision for the treatment of African Americans.

Association with clinical medicine and mental health therapies—During the late 19th and early 20th century, St. Elizabeths staff pioneered specific treatments. At the forefront of pathology in the late 19th century, the hospital was involved in the development of hydrotherapy and drama therapy in the 20th century.

Rare Washington, D.C. survivor—Certain buildings at St. Elizabeths would be noteworthy regardless of their context. Because of St. Elizabeths’ relative isolation and funding constraints, certain building types have survived in relatively unaltered condition. For example, D.C. has few intact vaudeville houses (Hitchcock) or mid-19th century bakeries. The surviving workers housing within once commonplace industrial buildings is now equally rare.

This table is a summary of the significance evaluation for each building.

Site

Parc

els

Bui

ldin

gN

umbe

r

Bui

ldin

gN

ame

Ass

ocia

tion

with

Tou

t Ens

embl

eof

19t

h –

Early

20t

h C

entu

ryIn

stitu

tion

for t

he In

sane

Adm

inis

trat

ive

Res

iden

tial F

acili

ties

Dem

onst

ratin

gTr

eatm

entP

hilo

soph

ies

Supp

ortB

uild

ing

Exam

ple

of

Arc

hite

ctur

alSt

yle

Ass

ocia

tion

with

Si

gnifi

cant

Indi

vidu

als

Ass

ocia

tion

with

Civ

il W

ar

Ass

ocia

tion

with

Afr

ican

Am

eric

an H

isto

ry

Ass

ocia

tion

with

C

linic

alM

edic

ine

and

Men

tal H

ealth

The

rapi

es

Rar

eSu

rviv

or in

W

ashi

ngto

n, D

.C.

Tota

l

Site

Par

cel 1

1-8 Center Building X X X X X X 6

15 Staff Residence #1 (none) X 1

17 Staff Residence #2 (none) X 1

23 Allison D X X 2

24 Allison C X X 2

25 Allison A X X 2

26 Allison B X X 2

27 Staff Residence #3 X 1

28 Linden (Dix #2) X X X 3

29 Holly (Dix #1) X X X 3

30 East Lodge/Nurses X X X X X 5

31 Atkins Hall X X X 3

32 Relief X X X 3

33 Dining Hall X X X X 4

34 Detached Kitchen X X 2

36 Home Building X X X 3

37 Hitchcock Hall X X X X 4

38 Hagan Hall X X 2

39 General Store/Canteen X 1

40 The Rest/Circulating Library X X X X X 5

41 Engine House/Fire House X X X 3

44 Old Storeroom X X 2

45 General Kitchen X X X 3

46 Bakery X X X 3

49 Construction Shops/Laundry X X X X X 5

Site

Par

cel 2

60 J Building X X X 3

64 L Building X X X 3

66 K Building X X X 3


68 Q Building X X X X 4

69 E Building X X 2

70 Employee’s Cafeteria X 1

72 M Building X X X 3

73 C Building X X X X X 5

74 A Building X X X X 4

75 B Building X X X X X 5


77 Comfort Station X 1

78 Gatehouse #2 X 1

Site

Par

cel 3 18 Burrows Cottage X 1

20 Greenhouse A-H X X X 3

21 Gatehouse No. 1 X X X X 4

Site

Par

cel 4

52 Ice Plant X X X 3

53 Tool House X X 2

55 Locomotive House X 1

56 Power House (1902-1904) X X 2

57 Power House (1910) X X 2

62 Transformer Room X 1

63 Transformer Room X 1


Table 4.1 – Significance of Buildings


Historic Resources

Structures Condition and Reuse AssessmentA visual survey of the buildings and structures located on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital was conducted during the period of September to December2005, for the purposes of determining the existing physical condition of the buildings, to evaluate architectural integrity, to identify significant spaces and details and to determine the potential for reusing the existing buildings. The reuse assessment also included consideration of the significance of each building. The on-site survey and assessment was limited to the buildings identified as contributing to the character of the site by the NationalHistoric Landmark designation.

The survey included all accessible areas of the exteriors and interiors of the buildings. Inaccessible areas were encountered in the eastern half of Building #6, the attic space of Building #1-8, and Building #55 in its entirety.

Physical ConditionThe on-site survey and evaluation of the physical condition focused on identifying the structure of the building, such as the masonry bearing walls, floor framing, and roof framing, rather than the condition of plaster, wood and paint finishes. It is assumed that rehabilitation of the buildings will necessarily include renewal of the finishes throughout the buildings. The structural framing systems of each building were identified based upon original construction drawings with verification by the on-site survey.

Prior to the 2003 mothballing and the ongoing stabilization, the buildings were vacant, unheated/overheated, windows were open and roofs and gutters were leaking. Interior conditions include peeling paint, water damage, crumbling plaster, rotten wood flooring and mold growth. Damage, however, has been limited largely to the finish materials except at the Center Building. There, wood floor framing has partially collapsed. At buildings A-Q water damage has caused rot at the eaves and outriggers of the roof framing.

The existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in the buildings were assumed to be outdated and unusable. They were not surveyed or evaluated. Thebuildings for the most part do not meet current fire life safety codes.

The physical condition of the stabilized buildings is under constant monitoring and repair; however, some degree of deterioration continues. Individual building condition will be further studied in detail as Historic StructureReports (HSR) and Buildings Preservation Plans (BPP)are developed, which will inform reuse and rehabilitation plans for each.


Figure 4.17 – Building Reuse Potential

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

LEGEND

High Reuse Potential

Medium Reuse Potential

Low Reuse Potential

Inaccessible

Not Surveyed


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

Building Reuse Potential


Site

Par

cels

BLDG

#

Nam

e

Desc

riptio

n

Hist

orica

l

Stru

ctur

e

Cond

ition

Sign

ificance

Inte

grity

Re-U

se P

oten

tial

Over

all R

atin

g

BLDG

#

Stories Date Significance Walls Floors Roof

Site

Par

cel 1

1&2 Center Building 4/5 Tower 1859-1874 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing wood wood/iron 0 6 2 1 9 1&23 West Wing 2 and 3 1853 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing wood wood 0 6 2 1 9 34 East Wing 2 and 3 1858 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing wood wood 0 6 2 1 9 45 Garfield 3 1872 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing wood wood 0 6 2 1 9 56 Pine 2 1884 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing wood wood 0 6 2 1 9 68 Willow (Dix #3) 3 1895 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing tile/steel wood 0 6 2 1 9 8

15 Staff Residence #1 2 1924 Support tile bearing wood wood 1 1 1 1 4 1517 Staff Residence #2 2 1924 Support tile bearing wood wood 2 1 1 1 5 1723 Allison D 3 1899 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 2 1 2 7 2324 Allison C 2 1899 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 2 1 2 7 2425 Allison A 3 1899 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 2 1 2 7 2526 Allison B 2 1899 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 2 1 2 7 2627 Staff Residence #3 2 1924 Support tile bearing wood wood 2 1 1 1 5 2728 Linden 2 1893 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 1 3 2 2 8 2829 Holly 2/3 Tower 1893 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 3 2 2 9 29

30 East Lodge/Detached Nurses Home 2/3 Addition 1861/1887 Arch, health/medicine, social, ethnic brick bearing wood/concrete/steel wood 2 5 2 2 11 30

31 Atkins Hall 3 1878/1899 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 3 2 2 9 3132 Relief 4/3 Wings 1879/1895 Arch, health/medicine tile bearing wood/iron wood 2 3 2 2 9 32

33 Dining Hall for Detached Buildings 1 1885 Arch, health/medicine, rarity brick bearing concrete/steel wood/iron 2 4 2 2 10 33

34 Detached Kitchen 2 1900 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing steel steel 2 2 2 2 8 3436 Home Building 4 1883 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron/wood wood 1 3 2 2 8 3637 Hitchcock Hall 2 1910 Arch, health/medicine, social, rarity brick (tile?) bearing concrete/steel steel 2 4 2 2 10 3738 Hagen Hall 1/2 Wings 1942 Health/Medicine brick bearing concrete wood 2 2 2 2 8 3839 General Store/Canteen 1 1916 Health/medicine wood concrete wood 2 1 1 1 5 3940 The Rest/Circulating Library 2 1882,1904,1929 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing wood wood 2 5 1 2 10 4041 Engine House/Fire House 2/5 Tower 1891,1905 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 3 1 2 8 4144 Old Storeroom 3 1900 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing wood wood 1 2 2 1 6 4445 General Kitchen 2-1/2 1883,1890 Arch, health/medicine, rarity brick bearing brick/iron wood 2 3 2 1 8 4546 Bakery 2-1/2 1878,1910 Arch, health/medicine, rarity brick bearing wood wood 2 3 2 1 8 4649 Contruction Shops 2/3 1899,1905,1929 Arch, health/medicine, social, rarity brick bearing wood/concrete wood/iron 2 5 1 1 9 49

Site

Par

cel 2

60 J Building 2 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing wood/steel wood 1 3 2 2 8 6064 L Building 2 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing wood/steel wood 2 3 2 2 9 6466 K Building 2 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing sood/steel wood 2 3 2 2 9 6667 Staff Residence #5 2 1924 Support tile bearing wood wood 1 1 1 1 4 6768 Q Building 2 1902,1935 Arch, health/medicine, ethnic brick bearing (tile?) wood/steel wood 2 4 2 2 10 6869 E Building 4 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing (tile?) concrete/steel wood/steel 2 2 2 2 8 6970 Employee’s Cafeteria 1 1924 Support cmu concrete wood 0 1 0 0 1 7072 M Building 2 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing concrete/steel wood 2 3 2 2 9 7273 C Building 2 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing (tile?) tile/steel wood 2 5 2 2 11 7374 A Administration Building 3 1904 Arch, health/medicine, persons brick bearing (tile?) wood/steel wood 2 4 2 2 10 7475 B Building 2 1902 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing (tile?) tile/steel wood 1 5 2 2 10 7576 Staff Residence #4 2 1924 Support tile bearing wood wood 2 1 1 1 5 7677 Comfort Station 1 1922 Support brick bearing concrete wood 2 1 2 0 5 7778 Gatehouse #2 1 1926 Support brick bearing concrete wood 2 1 2 1 6 78

Site

Par

cel 3 18 Burroughs Cottage 2-1/2 1891 Architecture brick bearing wood wood 2 1 1 1 5 18

20A-H Greenhouses 1 1882-1959 Arch, health/medicine, rarity concrete/cmu/wood concrete/steel steel/wood/glass 0-2 1-3 0 0 1-5 20A-H21 Gatehouse #1 1-1/2 1874 Arch, health/medicine, rarity brick bearing wood wood 2 4 1 2 9 21

Site

Par

cel 4

52 Boiler House/Ice Plant 1-1/2 1892 Arch, health/medicine, rarity stone concrete wood 1 3 2 2 8 5253 Tool House 1 1895 Arch, health/medicine wood wood wood 2 2 1 2 7 5355 Locomotive House 1 1947 Support cmu 1 1 0 0 2 55

56&57 Power House 1/3 1902,1910,1915 Arch, health/medicine brick bearing steel/concrete wood 2 2 2 2 8 56&5762 Transformer Room 1 1957 Support brick bearing wood 2 1 1 0 4 6263 Transformer Room 1 1957 Support brick bearing wood 2 1 1 0 4 63

Table 4.2 – Overall Rating

Based upon all the information on building significance, physical condition, space configuration and integrity, as well as building size and general code requirements (floor loading, egress, etc.) that would be required to accommodate a new use, each building was assessed for its reuse potential. The assessment assumed the buildings would be used for modern office or shared use functions.

Typical characteristics of low rated buildings:

• Substantial structural system repair needed;• Structure and plan configuration is conducive

to the original use only.

Typical characteristics of medium rated buildings:

• Minor repair of structural systems required; • Moderate to high ability to accommodate office

or support space uses.

Typical characteristics of high rated buildings:

• Structure is in good condition;• Structure and plan allows for flexibility in

reuse.

IntegrityOriginal construction drawings and subsequent alteration drawings along with the visual survey were used to assess the architectural integrity of the buildings. The uses of the buildings at St. Elizabeths have changed over the years, sometimes resulting in alteration or removal of character defining spaces and details. When patient care facilities were updated and converted to office use in the mid 20th century, lay-in acoustical tile ceilings were added with new lighting, vinyl flooring and carpet were used to cover the original wood floors, and partitions were added to subdivide spaces. The assessment considered whether the original architectural features and spatial relationships of the building are intact, if alterations have removed or destroyed original features, and if later alterations are reversible. As part of the survey, significant interior spaces and architectural details that remain were noted.

RatingEach building was rated in each evaluation category using a point system as follows:

Significance

One area of significance 1Two areas of significance 2Three areas of significance 3Four areas of significance 4Five areas of significance 5Six or more areas of significance 6

Physical Condition

Poor 0Fair 1Good 2

Integrity

Poor 0Fair 1Good 2

Reuse Potential

Low 0Medium 1High 2

The overall rating is the total of all categories and provides a general ranking of the buildings on the site (Table 4.2).


LEGENDContributing Buildings

Non-contributing Buildings

Historic Woodlands

Woodland Succession (1960’s Clearing)

Former Agricultural Use

Lawn – Upper Plateau

Deciduous Trees at Least 70 Years Old

Evergreen Trees at Least 70 Years Old

Other Deciduous, Evergreen, and Ornamental Trees

Historic Vehicle Circulation

Historic Walks

Stone Wall

Brick Wall

Metal Fence/Railing

Historic Structures & Objects

Cemetery

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Historic Resources

Historic LandscapeLandmark documentation for St. Elizabeths recognizes the hospital landscape as integral to the significance of the site, and this documentation has been supplemented by subsequent studies, such as the Historic Resources Management Plan (HRMP, 1993) and the St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report (CLR, 2007). Contributing landscape resources are illustrated in the accompanying diagram. The landscape is considered an integral part of the historic site because it played a role in the hospital’s therapeutic philosophy (mental health through contemplation of and activity in nature) and functional planning (production of food, fuel, and building materials).

Identified contributing resources include man-made features, such as roads, walks, fountains, railings, steps, walls, garden structures, and the cemetery, as well as vegetation. Lawns, specimen plantings, and historic woodland comprise the cited vegetation. Views and vistas, spatial organization of these features (the relation of buildings to open space, vegetation to construction, and circulation to buildings and space), natural systems, and topography and drainage also contribute to the significance of St. Elizabeths historic landscape.

The CLR divided extant features into functional units that grouped therapeutic, ornamental, agricultural, and service aspects of the hospital’s historic landscape. These landscape units remain useful tools by which to consider landscape features within their historic context.

Figure 4.18 – Historic Landscape AnalysisSource: “St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report” CLR, (2007)

Landscape Unit 1: Therapeutic OrnamentalLandscape & OverlookLandscape Unit 2: Therapeutic OrnamentalLandscape around Pavilions & SecondaryEntrancesLandscape Unit 3: Agricultural Landscape of Fields & GreenhousesLandscape Unit 4: Services Landscape & Ravine around Power House and Service BuildingsLandscape Unit 5: Cemetery & Woodland Slopes

2

3

4

5

1


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

LEGENDLandscape Unit BoundariesCampus Location GridContributing FeaturesNon-Contributing Features

Overall Campus Feature or Design Concept


Historic Resources

Contributing Cultural Landscape FeaturesEarly in consultation on the Master Plan, parties agreed that landscape features cited in Historic Resources Management Plan should be used in evaluating impacts to landscape features. The St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) has the purpose of updating and expanding the findings of the HRMP. The CLR documented 134 character-defining landscape features, including visual resources that contribute to the significance of the West Campus. The CLR’s contributing features supersede those identified in the HRMP, and that information has been incorporated into the final Master Plan. This figure illustrates all of the CLR’s contributing features. A description of the features can be found in Table 4.3.

Figure 4.19 – 2007 Campus Contributing Features Location Plan

Source: “St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report” CLR, (2007)


CLRNo. Location Landscape

Character-Defining FeaturesCLR

CCDFNR/NHL

CRSIS

CCDF HRMP No. CurrentStatus

Natural Systems and Features

N1 All Prehistoric Anacostia River dynamics shape campus landforms X X Retained

N2 3b, 3c, 3f, 3g Woodland cover on north slope X X Expanded,New Growth

N4 5i, 5j, 5m, 5q Woodland cover on west slope X X Expanded,New Growth

Land Uses and Cultural TraditionsL1 All Landscape maintenance activity X X ModifiedL3 All Therapeutic use of the hospital landscape X X ModifiedL5 4 Service and support land uses X X ModifiedL7 5 Veneration of West Campus Cemetery X X Retained

Spatial Organization and Land PatternsO1 All West Campus boundary and total acreage X X Modified

O2 1 Parcel 1: Therapeutic, Ornamental Landscape and Overlook around Center Building and Main Gate X X Modified

O3 1j, 1k, 1lLandscape north of Center Building: Lawn with trees

shaped by the system of drives and framed by building mass

X X Retained

O4 1k, 1oLandscape south of Center Building: Lawn with trees


X X Retained

O5 1j Athletic Field Landscape X X Retained

O6 1l, 1p, 2p East Allison Landscape: lawn with trees and summerhouses X X Modified

O7 2 Parcel 2: Therapeutic, Ornamental Landscape around Pavilions and Secondary Entrances. X X Modified

O8 2t, 2x Open lawn west of Administration Building: Lawn and trees framed by Buildings A, B, C and M X X Retained

O9 3 Parcel 3: Agricultural Landscape of Greenhouses,Fields and North Slope X X Degraded

O10 1g, 3g Point Landscape: Open lawn with individual trees X X RetainedO12 3h, 3l Burroughs Cottage Landscape X X Retained

O13 4 Parcel 4: Service Landscape and Ravine around Power House and Service Buildings X X Expanded

O14 5 Parcel 5: West Campus Cemetery and West Slope X X Modified, New Growth

O15 5i West Campus Cemetery with trees over lawn X X Modified, New Growth



CCDFNR/NHL

CRSIS


Views and Visual Relationships

V1 1, 2, 3 Views of walls and West Campus gates along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue X X Retained

V2 1k, 1g Expansive vista north to the Monumental Core City and beyond X X Retained

V3 1j, 1n, 1o Episodic views and vistas from high ground of Parcel 1 to rivers and Monumental Core X X Modified

V4 1l Slot views to Monumental Core from Cedar Drive X X Retained

V5 1j, 1k, 1lVisual zone north of Center Building: Lawn with trees


X X Degraded

V6 1k, 1oVisual zone south of Center Building: Lawn with trees


X X Degraded

V7 1j Athletic Field visual zone X X Retained

V8 1l, 1p, 2p East Allison visual zone: lawn with trees and summerhouses X X Modified

V9 4s Visual relationship between the architecture of the Monumental Core and the Power House towers X X Retained

V10 2t, 2xVisual zone at open lawn west of Administration

Building: Lawn and trees framed by Buildings A, B, C and M

X X Degraded

V11 2s Slot view to Potomac River and Virginia at Buildings J and K X X Retained

V12 1k, 1g, 3k, 3g Views over Anacostia and Potomac confluence to northwest X X Retained

V13 1, 3, 5 Perception of river access X X Retained

V14 1k, 1g, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3f, 3g

Visual zone of Point Landscape with trees, lawn, and views across agricultural fields and orchards X X Modified

V15 3, 5 Views across wooded areas X X Expanded

V16 3, 5Views from points across the river to the Topographic

Bowl of the wooded Anacostia River bank and St.Elizabeths Hospital

X X Expanded

V17 3h, 3l Burroughs Cottage visual zone X X RetainedV18 4 Internal views of service and industrial landscape X X Retained

V19 5i, 5j Slot view to Virginia and Washington from West Campus Cemetery X X Retained

V20 5i Internal views of West Campus Cemetery X X Modified

Topography and DrainageD1 1, 2 Prehistoric Anacostia River bank plateau X X X Retained

D2 2, 3, 4, 5 Slopes and ravines separating the historic campus from related service and agricultural landscapes X X X Degraded

D6 3g Overlook north of Golden Raintree Drive X X X Modified

order to retain the understanding of the significance of conceptual or intangible features at St. Elizabeths, while adhering to National Register/National Historic Landmark protocol, NR/NHL standards for determining contributing resources have been applied to the table of character-defining CLR features. Those features that conform to the criteria for contributing resources are indicated in the table with an “X” in the NR/NHL CR column (National Register/National Historic Landmark contributing resource). Those character-defining features that are not physical features but contribute to St. Elizabeths’ significance in a manner recognized by The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes are indicated with an “X” in the column headed “SIS CCDF.” For reference purposes, a column has been included that indicates parallel contributing features listed in the 1993 “St. Elizabeths Hospital Historic Resources Management Plan.” The final column in the table describes the current status of the contributing feature relative to its status at the end of the period of significance, using language taken directly from the CLR.


Historic Resources

LandscapeBelow is a table listing significant Historic Landscape features.

Table 4.3 – Historic Landscape Features

This table is derived from Chapter VII of the 2007 “St. Elizabeths West Campus Cultural Landscape Report” (CLR) by Heritage Landscapes and Robinson & Associates, Inc. The CLR feature numbers are keyed to the locational grid on Figure 4.13. The list includes all landscape elements that the CLR evaluated as contributing, character-defining features of the West Campus with the exception of L4, “Agricultural and horticultural land uses,” T23, “Horticulture and food crops near greenhouses,” S23, “Chain link perimeter fence,” and A1 through A4, all of which are archaeological resources. Agricultural use of the West Campus has ended. The chain link fence post-dates the period of significance. The CLR’s archaeological features have been superseded by subsequent research. Contributing, character-defining features from the Cultural Landscape Report are indicated in the column headed “CLR CCDF.” The CLR did not differentiate between the significant conceptual or intangible characteristics of the site, such as spatial organization and views, and significant, individual, physical features, such as the brick and stone perimeter wall. The National Register and the NHL program recognize and protect significant, conceptual features of a site, but differentiate between these and what the NR/NHL designates as “contributing resources”: physical features such as buildings, sites, structures, and objects. In




CCDFNR/NHL

CRSIS


D9 3f, 3g Intermittent stream between Golden Raintree Driveand Sweetgum Lane X X X Degraded

D10 4s Power House ravine X X X ModifiedD11 5q, 5r, 5v Intermittent stream along SW property line X X X Modified

Vegetation

T1 1, 2 Trees in an arboretum style planting over turf (approximately 312 historic trees remain today) X X Degraded

T2 1l Holly trees east of Staff Residence No.3 and west of Gatehouse No. 1 X X X 7 Degraded

T3 1k, 1j, 3lSpecimen tree plantings north and northwest of Center

Building (Southern magnolia, American holly, cedar, beech, maple, American elm, and English elm)

X X X 8 Retained

T4 1k, 1o

Specimen tree plantings at south/southeast lawn of Center Building (Southern Magnolia, American Holly,

Willow Oak, Silver Maple, Bald Cypress. Pine and Gingko no longer remain.)

X X X 9 Degraded

T5 1o Grove of magnolia trees southwest of rear entry to Center Building X X X 10 Degraded

T6 1n, 1o Shade trees near location of former West Lodge(White oak. Willow oak no longer remains.) X X X 11 Degraded

T7 1o Shagbark hickory west of Detached Dining Hall and Kitchen X X X 12 Retained

T8 1p Perimeter willow oaks north of Gate No.2, East of Allison Building X X X 13 Degraded

T9 1l, 1pLawn plantings east/southeast of Allison Complex

(Southern Magnolia, Horse Chestnut, Linden, Hickory, Willow Oak, and Ash)

X X X 14 Degraded

T10 1g Shade trees at Promontory lookout (Willow oak, pin oak, honeylocust) X X X 17 Degraded

T12 1l White oak allée from Gatehouse No. 1 to East Willow Building X X X 3 Degraded

T14 1k Shrubs north of Pine Building toward Loop Road X X X 6 Degraded

T15 1k Formal Garden at plantings at Southern entrance to Center Building X X X 1 Degraded

T17 \2p Shade trees at Gatehouse No. 2 (ginkgo, beech, horse chestnut, linden, elm) X X X 16 Retained

T18 2p Allée/hedgerow north of B Building X X X 4 DegradedT19 2t Oak allée/hedgerow East of L Building X X X 5 Degraded

T242w, 5w, 2s, 4s, 4r, 4o, 4n, 5i, 5j, 3f,

3g, 3k, 3j

Woodland along west slopes toward Anacostia River, along northwest, west, and southwest property boundaries (Oak, beech, maple, elm species)

X X 18 Expanded,New Growth

T25 3f, 3g High quality woodland patch with older specimens in ravine along Sweetgum Lane X X X 18 Retained

T26 4s, 4r High quality woodland patch with older specimens in the ravine south of the Power House X X X 18 Retained

T27 4n Older specimen trees on the hillside north of Holly Street leading to the Warehouse and Laundry Building X X X 18 Retained

T28 5wHigh quality woodland with older specimens along the West Campus perimeter due west of the parking lot

associated with Q BuildingX X X Retained

T29 5i, 5j Older specimen trees in and around the West Campus Cemetery X X X X Retained



CCDFNR/NHL

CRSIS


CirculationC1 1, 2 Graceful and sweeping pedestrian circulation pattern X X Modified

C2 1p Patterned brick walk between Allison D and Relief and around the base of Relief and Allison Buildings X X X Degraded

C3 1p Patterned brick walk west of Allison A toward Atkins Hall X X X 32 Degraded

C4 1n, 1o, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1p

Patterned brick walkway at base of Center, Holly, Linden, and Detached Nurses X X X 33 Degraded

C5 1k, 1l, 1o, 1p Brick patio between Holly and Detached Nurses X X X 59 DegradedC6 1k, 1l Concrete curvilinear walk parallel to Cedar Drive X X X 29 RetainedC7 1o Concrete walkway at south lawn of Center Building X X X 30 Retained

C8 1n, 1o Aggregate paved walkway at former West Lodgeentrance X X X 31 Retained

C9 2s Paved concrete walk south of L Building X X X 34 Retained

C10 2x Paved concrete walk connecting E Building toward LBuilding X X X 35 Retained

C11 1, 2 Graceful and sweeping vehicular circulation pattern X X Degraded

C12 1, 2 Narrow radii historic drop-off loops at building entrances X X X Degraded

C15 1k, 1g Golden Raintree Drive layout (Paved loop road from Main Loop Road to promontory) X X X 22 Modified

C16 1k, 1o, 1j, 1n, 3f, 1l

Cedar Drive (Parcel 1) and Sweetgum Lane (Parcel 3) layout (Paved Main Loop Road at Upper plateau/

portion of Lowlands)X X X 23 Modified

C17 2t, 2x Two road intersection triangles on Redwood Drive X X X Retained

C18 2x Vehicular and pedestrian underpass under Martin Luther King Avenue X X X 19 Modified

C19 2p, 2t Granite curb along roadway from Quadrangle to Gatehouse No.2 X X X 54 Retained

C20 2s, 2t Spruce Street and Redwood Drive Loop (Paved LoopRoad at Richardson Quadrangle) X X X 24 Modified

C21 2s Willow Street and Plum Street loop layout X X X 24 ModifiedC22 2p, 2t Paved Entrance drive at Gatehouse No.2 X X X 25 RetainedC23 2t, 2x Paved Road East of A, B, C, and M Buildings X X X 27 ModifiedC24 2p Paved road south of Staff Residence X X X 28 Modified

C25 3j, 5i Unpaved agricultural road between Cemetery and Sweetgum Lane X X X Degraded

C26 3l Paved Road to Greenhouse from Main Loop Road X X X 26 ModifiedC271 3, 4, 5 Single-track railroad spur route to north property line. X X X 60 DegradedC28 4o, 4s Unpaved road west of Ice Plant X X X 21 Modified

Landscape StructuresS1 1j Domed metal arbor adjacent to Staff Residence No. 2 X X X Degraded

S2 1p Summerhouse, East of Allison C, (patterned brick paving at base) X X X 36 Degraded

S3 1p Summerhouse, South of Home and Relief Buildings X X X 37 Degraded

S4 1k Decorative iron fence at south side of Center Building at eastern garden courtyard X X X 44 Degraded

S5 1o Iron pipe Railing East of Bakery/General Kitchen, along path from Center Building X X X 45 Degraded


Table 4.3 cont’d. – Historic Landscape Features1This entry represents a clarification of the CLR, which labels the course of the railroad spur as contributing feautre C27 on Plan VIII.2, although the table of features identifies C27 as the carriage trail at the southwestern property line.




CCDFNR/NHL

CRSIS


S6 1k Iron railing at southern entrance to Center Building X X X 46 RetainedS7 1o Brick foundation at site of West Lodge X X X 51 ModifiedS8 1n, 1o Concrete Retaining Wall at site of former West Lodge X X X 42 Retained

S9 1n Concrete stairway at loading dock in vicinity of West Lodge site X X X 57 Degraded

S10 1j Brick steps at western lawn of Center Building X X X 58 Retained

S11 1p, 1l, 3l, 3h Brick wall at perimeter of hospital from GreenhouseComplex to area of Gatehouse No. 2 X X X 39 Degraded

S12 1k Tennis Lawn Area, northeast of Center Building X X X 38 Degraded

S13 1k Iron bollard at junction of former carriage trail and turnaround at northern Center Building entrance X X X 48 Retained

S14 2s Iron drainage grate at Toner/Oaks Complex Road X X X 55 Retained

S15 2p, 2t, 2x, 2w Brick wall at perimeter of hospital from south of Gatehouse No. 2 to B Building X X X 39 Degraded

S16 2p, 2t, 2x, 2w Stone wall at perimeter of hospital from B Building to Building Q X X X 40 Degraded

S17 2s Brick and iron rail retaining wall at site of TonerBuilding X X X 43 Degraded

S19 3l Stone walls with cobble and dental caps at the Greenhouses X X X 41 Present

S20 3l Retaining Wall West of drive to Greenhouses X X X Modified

S21 4o Stone walls with dental caps and integrated steps at the Ice Plant X X X Degraded

S22 4o Bluestone steps on hillside from construction shops to ice plant X X X 56 Degraded

S24 5r Brick perimeter segment wall along SW property edge X X X Degraded

Constructed Water Features

W2 1k Small fountain at the garden courtyard east of southern entry to Center Building X X X 52 Degraded

Small-scale Features, Furnishings, and Objects

F5 1k Concrete birdbath or fountain in east side of the courtyard at the south façade of Center Building X X X Degraded

F6 1k Concrete birdbath in west side of the courtyard at the south façade of Center Building X X X Degraded

F7 1k Lamp bases flanking southern entrance to Center Bldg X X X DegradedF8 1p Bird bath or fountain east of rear entry to Hagan Hall X X X 53 DegradedF10 1, 2 Historic fire hydrants X X X DegradedF11 1, 2, 3 Wood slat and metal strap benches X X X DegradedF12 2t, 2x Wood slat benches with concrete legs X X X Degraded

F14 3l Concrete and stone planter and birdbath in the sunken garden at the Greenhouse complex X X X Present

F15 5i West Campus Cemetery, 200 exposed headstones, arranged in 22 rows X X X Degraded


Table 4.3 cont’d.– Historic Landscape Features


Smallholdings Structure Location

Area C Foundation

Area H foundation

Recommended Eligible

Recommended Not Eligible

Early Hospital Deposits


Barry Farm

I-295

Naval Support Facility AnacostiaShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

Figure 4.20 – Archaeological SurveySource: Site Engineering Survey by Greenhorne & O’Mara, Inc. (2008). Map is based on Kreisa et al. (2008)

LEGEND

Walkover Areas

Low Intensity Shovel Testing

Intensive Shovel Testing

Phase II Excavation

Standing Structure

Recommended for Further Testing

Low Intensity Survey Areas

Historic Resources

Archaeological SurveyPhase I archaeological survey investigations have been conducted on the entire West Campus facility, with one exception (Burrow et al. 2005; Kreisa et al. 2008). Thevarious areas of the site are either disturbed, buried by fill, steeply sloped, or have been surveyed to varying levels of intensity. The one area that has not been investigated is an area of parking lots that border Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue along the eastern boundary of the West Campus. The parking lots are located in the general vicinity of two or more mid-nineteenth century civilian residences, including the John Perkins smallholding that is depicted on maps dating to the 1850s and 1860s. An analysis of these maps suggests the location of these residences to be beneath the parking lots. Shovel tests excavated adjacent to the lots have yielded a few artifacts that date to the mid-nineteenth century and are likely associated with these structures. The asphalt parking lots may have preserved midden or structural remains associated with these residences. Investigations are recommended to determine whether such remains are present, and if so, to determine whether the deposits are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Based on the findings of the Phase I archaeological survey, three locations have been recommended for Phase II NRHP evaluation investigations (Kreisa et al. 2008). Area C contains a foundation that may be associated with the mid- to late-nineteenth century hospital gardener’s house; Area H contains a foundation that is possibly associated with the late-nineteenth to twentieth century Oakes hospital building; and Area N has a moderate density of nineteenth century artifacts associated with the Center Building. The Phase II investigations are designed to determine whether the foundations or artifact deposits are eligible for listing in the NRHP. Phase II NRHP evaluations have also been conducted at two archaeological sites (Kreisa and McDowell 2008). The Point site (51SE048) yielded prehistoric Native American and eighteenth century colonial artifacts, but due to prior disturbance, was found to be not eligible for listing in the NRHP. The Powerhouse Ravine site (51SE049) is a scatter of twentieth century hospital-related artifacts that was found to be eligible for listing in the NRHP.


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.

Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

Historic and Visual Resources

Relationship to the Topographic BowlThe topographic bowl refers to the forested ridge surrounding the core of Washington, D.C. It is an important terrain feature surrounding the L’Enfant City and its environs. Its ridgelines are distributed along highlands and lowlands and provide unique views and vistas of the Capital and its monumental core.

The Florida Avenue escarpment (the northern boundary of the L’Enfant Plan), the Anacostia Hills, and Arlington Hills form the geographic boundaries of the topographic bowl. Historical documents suggest that the portion of the topographic bowl that falls within the St. Elizabeths West Campus site was partially covered in woodland during the period of significance. At the north of the site, some portions of the west facing slopes were used as agricultural fields and orchards.

The St. Elizabeths West Campus is part of the southern portion of the Anacostia Hills and its plateau offers unique vantage points towards the Washington Monument, the dome of the Capitol Building and the National Cathedral in the distance.

The Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital emphasizes the importance of preserving this natural feature due to its historic and symbolic character and relationship to the identity of the Capital’s setting.

Views toward the site from the surrounding region are documented on subsequent pages and are noted here for reference.

SITE

50’0’

50’100’

200’

AB

E

CD


Figure 4.21 – Location of Topographic Bowl in Relationship to the St. Elizabeths West Campus SiteSource: NCPC Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: Federal Elements

LEGEND

L’Enfant Plan Area

Topographic Bowl Slopes

Topographic Bowl Rims

Site

Parks

Arlington House View Location

Hains Point View Location

South Capitol Bridge View Location

Navy Yard View Location

Marina at GW Parkway View Location


Barry Farm

Gate 1



CongressHeights

Gate 2

View from Navy Yard

View from South Capitol Bridge

View from Washington

Sailing Marina

Source: “St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report” CLR, (2007)


Historic and Visual ResourcesThe site of the St. Elizabeths West Campus is part of the topographic bowl, or ridge of hills that surrounds the L’Enfant-planned capital city. Dorothea Dix and Charles Nichols chose the site in part because its position above the Potomac and Anacostia rivers offered panoramic views of the rivers and of Washington, D.C., and the Virginia shore. Therapeutic philosophy of the time held that contemplation of nature could be beneficial to the mentally ill. Nichols placed the earliest buildings at St.Elizabeths with regard for the site’s privileged location.

Nichols and subsequent superintendents laid out walks and drives and landscaped the campus with an eye toward providing calming views of the ornamental, agricultural, and wooded lands for patients as part of their therapy. Subsequent construction, especially the campus-like arrangement of the early twentieth-century buildings in the southern portion of the site, created other viewsheds between and among the buildings. St. Elizabeths’ location also resulted in important views of the hospital from various points in the region, especially north and west of the site.

In many ways, the topographical features exploited by the designers of St. Elizabeths remain unchanged. Views toward the rivers, Washington, and Virginia can be found at numerous locations throughout the campus, and the site provides innumerable opportunities for observation of natural and ornamental landscapes similar to those Dixand Nichols envisioned 150 years ago. The wooded ridge on which St. Elizabeths was built can also be seen from prominent locations in the city and suburbs.

The St. Elizabeths Hospital West Campus Cultural Landscape Report evaluated views from and within the site, as well as some views toward the hospital from outside the site. The CLR categorized its contributing views as primary, secondary, and tertiary and developed the concept of visual zones that encompassed multiple views. Preparation for the Master Plan analyzed views toward the site in greater detail than did the Cultural Landscape Report. This figure, which is a revision of a plan in the CLR, illustrates both CLR and Master Plan views.

Figure 4.22 – Historic Views Diagram

View from Hains Point

LEGEND

Primary Visual Zones Secondary Visual Zones Lost Areas of Visual Zones

Additions to Visual Zones

Primary Vista/Viewshed Secondary Episodic Vista/Viewshed Tertiary Slot Vista/Viewshed

Views Looking Towards the Site

Local Views Looking Towards the Site L L L


E

B

CD

A

CENTER BUILDING TOWER

POWER HOUSE STACKS

E

B

CD

A

CENTER BUILDING TOWER

POWER HOUSE STACKSTACKST S

A

B

E

CD

Center Building Tower

Power House Stacks

50’0’

50’100’

200’



Views

Regional ViewsThe wooded ridge on which St. Elizabeths was built can be seen from prominent locations in the city and surroundings. The following image illustrates five locations surrounding the campus that offer views toward the site.

The two most visible built elements of the campus are the Center Building tower (Building 1) and the Power House stacks, and are noted as reference points in the images that follow.

LEGEND

Site

Arlington House View Location (4.3 miles)

Hains Point View Location (1.3 miles)

South Capitol Bridge View Location (1.3 miles)

Navy Yard View Location (1.4 miles)

Marina at GW Parkway View Location (2.51 miles)

AB

E

CD

Figure 4.23 – Regional Views Key MapSource: D.C. GIS (Geographic Information Systems), Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), SmithGroup


Regional Views Key Map

A

B

Figure 4.24 – A – View from the Arlington House towards the site (4.3 miles from vantage point to site)

Figure 4.25 – B – View from Hains Point (1.3 miles from vantage point to site)

Power House stacks

Warehouse

Power House stacks

Warehouse

Indicates image relationship to original photograph Zoomed-in view

Zoomed-in viewIndicates image relationship to original photograph



Regional ViewsA - View from Arlington House - Custis Lee Mansion

One of the highest points at Arlington National Cemetery offers views of the Power House stacks and a portion of the Warehouse building on the forested slopes of the campus. This view is zoomed in and real distance is shown in the picture caption.

B - View from Hains Point

From this view the predominant visible features are the buildings of Naval Support Facility Anacostia. The St.Elizabeths Power House stacks and a portion of the Warehouse building appears in the background shown highlighted in yellow. This view is zoomed in and actual distance is noted in the picture caption.



C D


Regional ViewsC - View from South Capitol Street Bridge

From this vantage point, the only visible parts of the St.Elizabeths West Campus are the two Power House stacks and Center Building tower that rises just above the tree line to the left of the stacks. This view is important because of the five regional views selected, it is the closest to the site. This view is zoomed in and real distance is noted in the picture caption.

D - View from the Washington Navy Yard

Only the Power House stacks of the West Campus are visible from the Washington NavyYard location. Vegetation on the Anacostia Hills hides other existing buildings on the campus. This view is zoomed in and real distance is noted in the picture caption.

Figure 4.26 – C – View from South Capitol Bridge, 2006 (Photo taken 1.30 miles from vantage point to site)Red line denotes outline of existing buildings on the campus.

Figure 4.27 – D – View from the Navy Yard looking towards the Site (Photo taken 1.4 miles from vantage point to site)

Power House stacks

Power House stacksCenter Building

Zoomed-in view

Zoomed-in viewIndicates image relationship to original photograph

I-ndicates image relationship to original photograph




Regional ViewsE - View from Washington Sailing Marina along GWParkway

Although, in this photograph, the Center Building tower and the Power House stacks are visible, they are barely visible to the unaided eye. The rest of the campus buildings are hidden behind the tree line along the southern portion of the Anacostia Hills. The Naval Support Facility Anacostia and Bolling Airforce Base figure prominently in the foreground. This view is zoomed in and real distance is noted in the picture caption.


E

Figure 4.28 – E – View from Washington Sailing Marina along GW Parkway (2.5 miles from vantage point to site)

Power House stacksCenter Building tower

Zoomed-in view

Indicates image relationship to original photograph



Cemetery

“The Point”

Center Building Tower

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Figure 4.29 – Neighborhood Views Key Map


Neighborhood Views Views into the campus from the surrounding neighborhood are critical to a full understanding of the site. Seven views were identified from strategic locations bordering the site, along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue (3 locations), Barry Farm (1 location), Congress Heights (2 locations), and I-295 (1 location). Natural buffers such as slopes and forested areas hide portions of the site from adjacent areas.

The following pages show existing views from the immediate neighborhood towards the site.


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

Figure 4.30 – 1 – View looking southwest along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue `

Neighborhood Views Key Map


Neighborhood Views1 - View looking southwest along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

This view looks south towards Gate House #1 (Building #21), and the historic wall that surrounds the campus.

2 - View looking west across Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

This view, looking west across Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, shows Gate 2 and the historic stone wall bordering the West Campus. From here, buildings 73 and 74 are visible.

Figure 4.31 – 2 – View looking west across Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue



Figure 4.32 – 3 – View looking north along Martin LutherKing Jr. Avenue

Figure 4.34 – 5 – View from 2nd Street looking towards the Power House & Buildings 60, 66, and 68Neighborhood Views Key Map


Figure 4.33 – 4 – View from 5th Street looking towards Building 68


Neighborhood Views3 – View looking North along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

This view, looking north along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, shows the historic stone wall that borders the West Campus. From here, buildings 73 and 74 are visible.

4 - View from 5th Street looking towards Building 68

This view looks north from the Congress Heights neighborhood. A side access road runs behind homes located to the Southeast of the site. Building 68 on the West Campus is visible here.

5 - View from 2nd Street looking across ShepherdParkway towards the Power House and Buildings 60,66 and 68

The natural forested buffer that exists along the SouthWest border of the site is visibly prominent in this view. The photograph was taken from one of the highest points in the Congress Heights neighborhood.


Neighborhood Views Key Map


Neighborhood Views

6 - View from South Capitol Street looking east towards the Power House and Warehouse

The view from this area shows the heavily forested slopes of the topographic bowl, looking towards the existing Power House and Warehouse on the St. Elizabeths West Campus. The stacks of the Power House are visible just above the tree line on the right side of the photograph.

7 - View from Wade Road looking towards “The Point”

This view at the edge of the Barry Farm community looks southwest toward the plateau where most of the historic buildings of the West Campus are situated. The trees in the photograph disguise one of the steepest slopes of the site, which rises at a slope of greater than 15%, up to the plateau.

Figure 4.35 – 6 – View from South Capitol Street looking towards the Power House and Warehouse Figure 4.36 – 7 – View from Wade Road looking towards “The Point”

Power House stacksWarehouse




Views From and Within the SiteThe curving drives and walks through St. Elizabeths’ varied landscape, the hospital’s plateau-and-slope topography, and its open spaces provide a wide range of internal and external views and viewing locations on the campus. Previous landscape documentation of the site, however, limited evaluation of significant views and vistas at St. Elizabeths to a small number of view corridors from specific locations. Consulting parties and the Master Plan team agreed during public review of the Draft EIS alternatives that views from within the West Campus towards the rivers, Washington, and Virginia encompassed greater variety than earlier documentation described. Master Plan analysis therefore expanded the number of locations and types of views considered significant on the West Campus to include views from various points across the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, views along circulation routes and across open spaces, and views to and from individual buildings. Viewshed analysis conducted in the preparation of the Cultural Landscape Report (2007) confirmed the expansion of the understanding of significant views on the West Campus that characterized the Master Plan analysis. Thephotographs on the following pages represent a selection of the significant internal and external views that can be found at St. Elizabeths.

1A1C

1B

1D

1E

1F

1G1H

1I

1L

1K

1J1M

2A

2D

2B 2I2C

2E

2G

2F

2HAB

3B 3C

3A

3D

4B

4A

4C

4F

4D

4E

5A 5B

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Figure 4.37 – Key Map of Views From and Within the Site


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.


Local Views from the site

Figure 4.38 – A – Zoomed in view from “The Point” towards the Monumental Core of D.C. (2.85 miles from Point to Washington Monument)

Washington Monument

National CathedralUS Capitol Building

Washington Monument

National Cathedral

Jefferson Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Rosslyn

Old Post Office

Figure 4.39 – B – Zoomed- in view from “The Point” towards the Monumental Core of DC (2.85 miles from Point to Washington Monument)

B

AImage relationship to original photograph



Views within the site — Site Parcel 1

Figure 4.40 – 1A – View of Oak Allée from Gate 1 towards the Center Building (#6). Figure 4.41 – 1B – View of “The Point” from Center Building.

Figure 4.44 – 1E – View of Center Building tower (#1) from “The Point”. Figure 4.42 – 1C – View of pedestrian path along Center Building.

Figure 4.43 – 1D – View of the rear of the Center Building (#2) and building #45 (left).

Figure 4.45 – 1F – View from Center Building (#2) towards the campus center between buildings #33, #41, and #44.

Figure 4.46 – 1G – View of building #40 (Power House stacks in the background).




Figure 4.47 – 1H – View from Redwood Drive of buildings #30 and #31, looking East.

Figure 4.49 – 1J – Left to right: View of buildings #36, #32, #23, #78, and landscape near Gate 2.

Figure 4.48 – 1I – View from building #36 looking at the courtyard surrounded by buildings #33, #31, and #32.

Figure 4.50 – 1K – View from Redwood Drive of building #31, looking West.

Figure 4.51 – 1L – View of buildings #25, #26, and #32, along Redwood Drive. Figure 4.52 – 1M – View of brick wall and East Campus (in the background) from Gate 1.




Figure 4.53 – 2A – View from building #64 on the South Lawn looking South towards building #74 in the background (center). Right: Building #67.

Figure 4.54 – 2B – View of building #74.

Figure 4.56 – 2D – 180o panoramic view from building #74 looking towards the South Lawn. Power House stacks in the background.

Figure 4.55 – 2C – View from Redwood Drive of South Lawn looking South. Right: Buildings #67 and #64.




Figure 4.57 – 2E – View from building #73 of the South Lawn looking North. Left: Building #68. Right: Building #74.

Figure 4.58 – 2F – View from building #69 of the South Lawn looking North. Left: Building #68. Right: Building #72.

Figure 4.60 – 2H – View from building #66 looking towards building #60. Figure 4.61 – 2I – Left to right: View of buildings #60, #64, and #37.

Figure 4.59 – 2G – View of building #68, looking North.




Figure 4.62 – 3A – Left to right: View of buildings #18, #20A-H (Greenhouses), and #21 (Gatehouse) along Cedar Drive looking North.

Figure 4.63 – 3B – View of buildings #20 and #18 from “The Point”. Figure 4.65 – 3D – View of Sweetgum Lane.Figure 4.64 – 3C – View of plateau looking East from “The Point”.



Views within the site — Site Parcels 4-5

Figure 4.66 – 4A – View from Ash Street looking East. Buildings #45 and #49 in the background. Figure 4.67 – 4B – View of buildings #56 and #57 (Power House) from Ash Street.

Figure 4.68 – 4C – View of building #52 (Ice House). Figure 4.69 – 4D – View of buildings #56 and #57 (Power House). Figure 4.70 – 4E – View of buildings #56 and #57 (Power House). Figure 4.71 – 4F – View of buildings #118A and #118 (Warehouse).

Figure 4.72 – 5A – View of Cemetery looking West. Figure 4.73 – 5B – View from the Cemetery looking East.



Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Site Access and Circulation

Site AccessThe campus’ “front door,” or main public frontage is Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, along which runs the historic wall of the campus.

The campus has direct access from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue via two gates (Gates 1 and 2). A third entry to the campus is located below the grade level of Martin LutherKing Jr. Avenue and provides a tunnel connection directly to and from the East Campus.

The north gate on Martin Luther King Avenue (Gate 1) is located at a signalized intersection directly across the entrance to the D.C. Unified Communications Center (UCC) Daycare Center on the St. Elizabeths East Campus. This gate is wide and allows for two-way traffic. Gate 2 is an unsignalized narrow entrance constrained by the historic wall on both sides. This gate accommodates one-way traffic and is located across from the main entrance to the UCC. The south gate tunnel connecting to the east campus is currently in poor structural condition.

Vehicular CirculationThere is limited traffic at present. The internal circulation system consists of a dense network of relatively narrow historic roadways without curbs or sidewalks. The internal roads could support two-way traffic at relatively low speeds in some locations. In other locations, particularly the switchback connections from the plateau level to the lower west end of the campus, traffic is limited to one lane.

Pedestrian CirculationPedestrian circulation takes place along a network of historic paths as well as along the roadway. Paths are located primarily in the area of the southern lawn and around the Center Building.

Figure 4.74 – Pedestrian and Vehicular Circulation

LEGEND

Primary Roadways

Secondary Roadways

Pedestrian Pathways

Campus Frontage

Major Vehicle Entry

Underground Connection to East Campus

Property Line


Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights


Site Environment

Site TopographyThe topography of the St. Elizabeths West Campus property is characterized by a generally flat, upper-level plateau with adjacent steep slopes and ravines. TheWest Campus plateau, ranging from approximately 150 feet above mean sea level (msl) to approximately 170 feet above msl, overlooks I-295, Naval Support Facility Anacostia, and the Anacostia River. Steep slopes between 8% and 40% are found west, northwest, and southwest of the plateau extending to the historic floodplain of the Anacostia River, which is now occupied by I-295. A majority of these slopes are greater than 15%. The site has a topographic low point of approximately 10 feet above msl.

Historic land use has had an affect on the natural resources of the property. Changes in surface water flow patterns have resulted in severely eroded ravines and drainages. Deep areas of fill materials are found in the southwest and northwest portions of the site.

The steep slopes and fill materials represent a limitation to construction of buildings, roads and infrastructure with respect to slope stability and erosion control. For safety purposes, the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations requires application of critical area stabilization methods on cut and fill slopes of equal to or greater than 3:1 (33%).

LEGEND

0-8% Slope

8-10% Slope

10-15% Slope

Environmentally Sensitive Slopes (Greater than 15%)

Land elevationFigure 4.75 – Site Topography

xxx’


Gate 1Gate 2

Cedar Dr.

Cedar Dr.Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

CwD Croom Very Gravelly Sandy loam, 15-40% Slopes

MvD Muirkirk Variant Complex, 15-40% Slopes

Spoil Areas

LEGENDBeB Beltsville-Urban Land Complex, 0-8% Slopes

CcC Chillum Silt Loam, 8-15% Slopes

CeC Christiana Silt Loam, 8-15% Slopes

CxC Croom-Urban Land Complex, 8-15% Slopes

MhB Matapeake-Urban Land Complex, 0-8% Slopes

U1 Udorthents

U3 Udorthents, Sandy

U6 Udorthents, Smoothed

Ub Urban Land

CeD Christiana Silt Loam, 15-40% Sloped

ScD Sassafras Gravelly Sandy Loam, 15-40% Slopes

CfD Christiana-Urban Land Complex, 15-40% Slopes

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

Gate 1Gate 2


Site Environment

Geology and SoilsThe West Campus is located in the Coastal Plain and is underlain by the Potomac Group which contains interbedded quartzose gravels; protoquartzitic to orthoquartzitic argillaceous sands; and white, dark gray and multicolored silts and clays; with a thickness of 0 to 800 feet.

The USDA Soil Conservation Service has identified three major soil associations within the St. Elizabeths West Campus project area. From west to east these consist of the Udorthents association, mainly along the western and southern boundaries of the project area; the Urban Land-Christiana-Sunnyside association, located in a triangular section of the project area along its northern boundary; and the Urban Land-Beltsville-Chillum association present in the uplands in the center and along the eastern boundary of the campus. These soil associations require on-site verification of actual conditions.

The Udorthents association consists of cuts and fills or otherwise disturbed soils, typically those of adjacent soil types. The USDA Soil Conservation Service indicates that this soil association has problems associated with stability and subsidence. On the West Campus area, the Udorthents association soils are located along the floodplain and terraces of the Anacostia River, and along adjacent slopes and ravines.

The Urban Land-Christiana-Sunnyside association consists of urban lands with soils that are deep, nearly level to steep, and well drained. This soil association is present in a triangular wedge between the Anacostia River and its associated floodplain to the west and the uplands to the east. In the campus, soil types assigned to this association include Christiana silt loams, sloped between 8% and 40%, and Sassafras gravelly sand loam. These soils have severe limitations to building because of steep slopes.

Figure 4.76 – Geology and SoilsSource: Natural Resources Conservation ServiceWeb Soil Survey, URL: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov; Coordinate System: UTM Zone 18 USDA (2006)


Site Environment

HabitatLandscaped areas are present on the plateau, while naturally vegetated areas exist to the west, northwest, and southwest on steeply sloping elevations hillsides that are incised by ravines. Existing vegetation and wildlife were documented during numerous field visits to the site. The information was characterized based on conservation of species for natural habitats and their status as native or nonnative in the Stateof Maryland. This resulted in a general ranking of the site habitats as either high quality forest area or low-moderate quality forest area. The high quality forest areas contained a mix of mature native species while the low-moderate quality forest areas were dominated by nonnative species to varying degrees. Historically-significant trees are found throughout the plateau.

VegetationThe natural vegetation on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths is primarily composed of succession growth on abandoned land areas which were previously farmed. A few larger trees exist along the stream systems on the north and west borders of the property. Prevalent tree species include tulip poplar, white oak, green ash, red maple, black walnut, and black locust. Typical understory species include pawpaw, sassafras, and spicebush. Native herbaceous vegetation includes Virginia creeper, eastern poison ivy, pokeweed, goldenrods, and false nettle. Many nonnative invasive species occur throughout the disturbed regrowth areas of the site. These include princess tree, multiflora rose, tree of heaven, English ivy, and Asiatic tearthumb.

WildlifeBird species observed at St. Elizabeths West Campus included typical songbirds such as the northern mockingbird, Carolina wren, American robin, and blue jay. Notablebird species found on the site include red-tailed hawk in the woods along the northwestern portion of the site and evidence of wild turkey roosting in the large trees within the cemetery. A single, occupied bald eagle nest is located in the mature woods just off the southern property line. Thebald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. GSA is following the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines,May 2007, which includes recommendations for avoiding disturbance at nest sites. Nonnative species observed were the typical urban species including the European starling and the pigeon or rock dove.

Several species of mammals are fairly common on the campus. Prominent among these are the woodchuck, northern raccoon, white-tailed deer, and gray squirrel. Othermammal species likely present at times, but not observed during the field investigations, include the Virginia opossum, shrews, and eastern cottontail rabbits.

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

Gate 1 Gate 2

Cedar Dr.

Cedar Dr.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Swee

tgum Ln

.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.


LEGEND

Mature Forest Area

Successional Forest Area

Figure 4.77 – Habitat Diagram


LEGEND

Surface Water Flow and Direction

Mapped Stream

Mapped Wetland

100’ Wetland Setback

Approximate Watershed Boundary

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Sweetgum Ln..


Gate 1Gate 2

Figure 4.78 – Hydrology DiagramSource: Greenhorne & O’Mara, SmithGroup

Site Environment

HydrologyThis figure illustrates general surface drainage patterns and the associated watersheds that exist on the St. Elizabeths West Campus. The site drains generally in a northwest direction and is divided into two primary northern and southern watersheds. The northern watershed drains into a surface swale that discharges to a storm drain inlet at the northwest site limit. This swale collects runoff from the westerly slopes. A majority of the southern watershed drains to an existing storm drain inlet near the southwest site limit. This watershed collects surface water from most of the developed areas of the site. In addition to these two primary watersheds, there are other small sub-watersheds, including some that parallel Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and drain to the street. There is also a small watershed on the northeastern edge of the site which flows offsite to the north. The existing ravines which line the western edge of the site are an integral part of the site drainage pattern.

Streams and WetlandsThis figure also highlights stream and wetland systems, which have been identified and mapped through natural resource field investigations. Wetlands are located in the vicinity of the Cemetery, the Warehouse (118, 118A) and the Pumping Station (16). Intermittent streams are located along drainages on the southern and western boundaries of the campus. As the figure illustrates, these systems are part of the overall site drainage pattern which indicates that there are opportunities to expand and enhance many of the systems and integrate them into the overall stormwater management plan.


LEGEND

Water Main

Sanitary Sewer

Barry Farm

I-295

ShepherdParkway

CongressHeights

Cedar Dr.

Cedar Dr.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Sweetgum Ln..


transmission lines are capable of handling the needs of new development on the West Campus; however, due to the age of the on-site infrastructure, it is assumed that new transformers and distribution equipment will be needed to adequately serve the new development.

Figure 4.79 – Site Infrastructure (Source: Greenhorne & O’Mara)

Existing infrastructure on-site that serves the existing development is likely a very old system using terra cotta pipe. The existing system should be considered for abandonment due to the possibilities of infiltration that are typical for older sewer systems.

Site Infrastructure

Water Distribution SystemTwo main water lines run along the west side of I-295. These lines consist of one 30-inch concrete line constructed in 1943 and one 36-inch line. At a point just south of the I-295 interchange to Suitland Parkway a loop has been created of the 30-inch concrete pipe. This loop is a 16-inch line constructed in 1965 and feeds a pump station located in the northwest corner of the site. From the pump station the site is serviced by a 14-inch line with a 10-inch line tying back to the pump station.

A smaller distribution system services the developed area north of the site and consists of primarily 8-inch lines. There is a 20-inch waterline constructed in 1911 running along the east side of the site down Martin LutherKing Jr. Avenue. Several fire hydrants along the street are tied to this line. There is a 12-inch line that ties to a meter connection on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. approximately ¼ mile south of Pomery Road. Thedeveloped area to the south is serviced from the 20-inch line in Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Lines in this area are primarily 8-inch.

Water pressure in the vicinity of St. Elizabeths is poor. A new 2-million gallon water storage tank is planned on the East Campus to provide water service to the entire Anacostia service area. Construction of the water tower will improve water pressure in the lines on Martin LutherKing Avenue and the St. Elizabeths West Campus.

Sewer/Stormwater SystemsMartin Luther King, Jr. Avenue acts as a ridge between the East and West campuses of the St. Elizabeths Hospital complex, such that the West Campus drains to the west towards existing DC WASA trunk lines near South Capitol Street, SW and the I-295. The East Campus drains to the north to existing sewer systems in Sheridan Road.

For the St. Elizabeths West Campus, the trunk main is an 8’ - 4” x 9’ - 4” conduit that drains to the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plan. An existing 24-inch sewer main and an 18-inch sewer main from the West Campus connect to this trunk sewer. These connections were made in 1954, and the trunk sewer was constructed in 1940. It would appear that these existing sewer mains connecting to the trunk sewer could be used for future development on the West Campus, pending a hydraulic flow analysis to determine the extent of new development that can be accommodated. There is an 84-inch separate sewer main with gravity flow along the south side of South Capitol Street. A connection to the separate sewer would require boring and jacking underneath the I-295, SouthCapitol Street, and the CSX rail line.

Electrical PowerPEPCO supplies electricity to the St. Elizabeths West Campus through a high-voltage feeder. All service lines, transformers, and distribution equipment on the West Campus is owned and operated by GSA. The PEPCO


Cemetery

“The Point”

Center Building tower

LEGEND

Existing Grid Organization

Upper Plateau

Building Frontages

Building Main Entry

Vertical Focal Point

Focal Points

Steep Slopes

Campus Center

Southern Lawn


Existing Urban Design FrameworkThe St. Elizabeths West Campus is characterized by its natural setting, its topography, its historic buildings and landscape, significant views to, from and within the site, and notable points of interest on site. The campus consists of a green, treed, plateau area and the vegetated slopes below. The campus is surrounded by historic walls on its eastern edges.

Plateau AreaThe campus setting of buildings and landscape on the plateau are organized along major open spaces that represent the site’s historic core.

One open space is the “Campus Center,” it includes the Center Building, immediate surrounding buildings and landscape. The Center Building is the main focus of the campus. This is the most prominent building on site, and its form, height, and orientation give an overall organizing structure and northwest-southeast geometry to this part of the campus.

Another space is the “Southern Lawn,” it consists of a large green space surrounded by campus buildings. Thebuildings are generally oriented north-south, providing an edge and definition to the green space.

An element of interest on the campus is “The Point.” This important open space provides the most significant views, and vistas to the monumental core of the city.

Sloped AreasFew buildings are located on the steep and wooded slopes areas of the campus. These green areas form the western edges of the campus, sloping down to afford great views to and from the site. The historic cemetery lies within this setting.

Figure 4.80 – Urban Design Framework

Gate 1Gate 2

Barry Farm

I-295


ShepherdParkway



CongressHeights

Site Parcels Key Map


Cedar Dr.Cedar Dr.

Holly St.

Ash

St.

Ash

St.

Redwood Dr.

Ceda

r Dr.

Spruce St.

Plum St..

Redwood Dr.

Hemlock St.

Sweetgum Ln.

iv. existing conditions...

Documents