1

GEORGETOWN
CANAL PLAN C&0 CANAL
N AT I O N A L H I S T O R I C A L PA R K

APRIL, 2019
MEETING AGENDA
2

Introduction by C&O Canal Superintendent, Kevin Brandt

Design Presentation, James Corner Field Operations

7:00 – 8:00
Gallery Walk
10 Stations
Staff Available for Questions
 INTERPRETIVE & EDUCATION PLAN
The Georgetown section of the C&O Canal has rich stories to tell.

Personal Services & Educational Programming (space for roving pop-ups) Site Activated Digital Media (beacons)

Aesthetics & Site Activated Experience Digital Media Orientation Experiences

LOCKS 3 & 4
4
WHERE WE LEFT OFF, WHERE WE ARE TODAY
5

184.5 Miles – C&O Canal National Historical Park

PURPOSE AND NEED
NEEDS
6

The plan will focus on addressing deferred

maintenance issues and related safety and
accessibility concerns associated with the
towpath; improving connections between
Georgetown and the C&O Canal towpath;
enhancing visitor experience through
increased signage and optimizing
underutilized areas.
PROJECT VISION & GOALS 7

Enhance the Georgetown section of the Canal as a dynamic, urban national park
that provides each person with a memorable and enriching experience.
1. Respect, celebrate, and interpret 7. Balance resource stewardship with
historic character, authenticity, and creating unique experiences.
sense of place. 8. Establish meaningful connections to, and
2. Rehabilitate and reveal historic structures enhance the integration with the
and cultural landscapes. surrounding community.
3. Improve safety. 9. Provide essential amenities such as
4. Increase accessibility and public signage, gathering spaces, restrooms,
access. trash and recycling bins, and drinking
5. Build and sustain the capacity of the fountains.
Canal to serve as a living classroom and 10. Incorporate sustainability, climate
ensure equitable access to education adaptation, and resilience.
and interpretation. 11. Ensure that the project is financially
6. Incorporate an array of programming for sustainable and managed cooperatively,
discovery, recreation, and reflection to efficiently, and responsibly.
be enjoyed by broad and diverse
audiences.
ONE MILE OF HISTORIC URBAN FABRIC
8

National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) & National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
PROJECT TIMELINE
9

2017-2018 Scoping, Develop Alternatives

APRIL 4, 2019 Revised Alternatives Public Meeting

MAY 11, 2019 End of Public Comment Period

SPRING 2019 Finalize Concept Alternatives

SPRING – FALL 2019 Preparation of Environmental Assessment

2 ALTERNATIVES
10

1. No Action
Alternative Alternative 2
Option A

2. Build Alternative
Un-Lock the Potential
Base Repair & Rehabilitation
(Common to All)

Alternative 2
Immediate Repairs
&
Option B
Current Operations & Maintenance
11
 SITE EXPERIENCES

31th ST BRIDGE

T. JEFFERSON BRIDGE

30th ST BRIDGE

29th ST BRIDGE
12
13
CULTURAL LANDSCAPE INVENTORY
14

The Georgetown Area Cultural Landscape retains integrity of location, association, design, materials, and workmanship for its historic period of significance.
1828-1960.
 INTERPRETIVE & EDUCATION PLAN
The Georgetown section of the C&O Canal has rich stories to tell.

Personal Services & Educational Programming (space for roving pop-ups) Site Activated Digital Media (beacons)

Aesthetics & Site Activated Experience Digital Media Orientation Experiences

MOVING THROUGH HISTORY
16

Organize Micro Narratives & Interpretive Pathways

 17

HISTORIC INFORMAL
SIGNIFICANCE CHARM
 18

NARROW UNEVEN
WIDTH SURFACE
THE TOWPATH TODAY
19
CURRENT AVAILABLE SPACE
20
PINCH POINTS
21
TOWPATH WIDTH
No Action Alternative / Existing Condition

6’ – 10’

2’ VARIES 2’
TOWPATH WIDTH
Maximize the Towpath’s Available Width

6’ – 10’

1’ VARIES 1.5’
TOWPATH WIDTH
Expand Pinch Points to a Minimum of 8’-9’

8’ – 9’

1’ 3.5’ VARIES
ORGANIZING KEY PLACES
25

Places for New Socialization, Education, & Connection

PLACES & PLATFORMS
26

Platforms Articulate Places for Gathering, Meeting, & Roving Pop-Ups

 PLATFORMS
27

Designated Venues for Educational Programming, Roving Pop-ups and Visitor Comfort

Personal Services & Educational Programming (space for roving pop-ups)

5 KEY PLACES
28

THE LOCKS

THE MARKET PLAZAS

THE AQUEDUCT
ROCK CREEK CONFLUENCE

MILE MARKER 0
MILE MARKER ‘0’
29
MILE MARKER ‘0’
30

Views & Vistas

 31

Mile Marker 0: The Start of a Journey

Mile Marker 0 Approach
OPTION 1
MILE MARKER ‘0’
33

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayA

THOMPSON BOAT
CENTER
1

C R E E K
2

R O C K
3

4
1 Mile Marker ‘0’ Bridge
5
2 Lock Keeper’s Platform
3 Mile Marker “0” Platform
4 River Terraces
5 Waste Gate Piles
MILE MARKER ‘0’
34

Alternative 2 Option A

THOMPSON MILE MARKER 0 BRIDGE

BOAT
CENTER

BOAT
STORAGE

POTOMAC TERRACES
WASTE GATE PILES
OPTION 1
MILE MARKER ‘0’
35

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayB

THOMPSON BOAT
CENTER

C R E E K
3

R O C K
5

1 Potomac Kiosk
2 Potomac Lawn & Lounge Area
3 Tide Lock Nets
4 Mile Marker ‘0” Platform and River Terraces
5 Stabilized & Naturalized River Edge
36
MILE MARKER ‘0’
37

Alternative 2 Option B

THOMPSON
BOAT
CENTER
KIOSK

TIDE LOCK NETS

RIVER TERRACES
BOAT STORAGE & K-STREET BRIDGE
Alternative 2 Option B

1 Mile Marker 0
2 West Bank Towpath Connection

WHITEHURST
30TH STREET

FREEWAY
3 New Boat Storage Locations
4 K-Street Bike Bridge
EMBASSY
OF SWEDEN
KATTEN

2 3

4
3
ROCK CREEK TRAIL
1 PARKING

K STREET
ROCK CREEK AND POTOMAC PARKWAY
Shelby Farms
Shelby Park,
Farms Wolf
Park, WolfRiver
RiverBridge
Bridge
THE ROCK CREEK CONFLUENCE
40
41
 42

Contemporary Natural Environment & Environmental Renewal

ROCK CREEK CONFLUENCE 43

Preserving the Locks

 OPTION 1
ROCK CREEK CONFLUENCE
44

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayA
29TH STREET

FOUR SEASONS
HOTEL

BOAT BASIN 4
1
LOCK 1

1 The Confluence Platform WEST HEATING

2 Restored & Stabilized Creek Edge PLANT

3 Pedestrian Bridge
4 Pollinator Meadows
 ROCK CREEK CONFLUENCE
45

Alternative 2 Option A

FOUR SEASONS
HOTEL

THE CONFLUENCE PLATFORM

ROCK CREEK PARK TRAIL

THE CONFLUENCE BRIDGE

WEST
HEATING
PLANT
46
THE LOCKS
47
48
THE MULES 49
 OPTION 1
THE LOCKS
50

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayA

1 Mule Yard Lawn & Perimeter Groves 30TH STREET

PLAZA
2 Visitor & Education Center
3 Boat Waiting Area w/ Pivot Benches
4 Mule Staging
5 Interactive Lock Model

MULE
YARD
1

GEORGETOWN
2 PLACE
3
THOMAS JEFFERSON STREET

LOCK 4
BOAT BASIN
3

30TH STREET
4 LOCK 3
BOAT BASIN
2
51
THE LOCKS
52

Alternative 2 Option A

GEORGETOWN
PLACE

THE
GRAHAM INTERACTIVE LOCK MODEL

BOAT WAITING AREA

VISITOR & EDUCATION CENTER

THE
FOUNDRY
BUILDING

MULE STAGING
 OPTION 1
THE LOCKS
53

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayB

1 Visitor & Education Center

3 1
2 Mule Yard Lawn w/ Canal Map
3 Social Platforms
3
4 Mule Staging @ Boat Queue
5 Interactive Lock Model

3
MULE 3
YARD

3
2
NPS
4 3
OFFICES
THOMAS JEFFERSON STREET

GEORGETOWN
PLACE
5

LOCK 4
BOAT BASIN
3

30TH STREET
LOCK 3
BOAT BASIN
2
THE LOCKS
54

Alternative 2 Option B

VISITOR & EDUCATION CENTER

GEORGETOWN
PLACE

THE
GRAHAM

MULE YARD PLATFORMS

INTERACTIVE LOCK MODEL

MULE STAGING WITH CANOPY

THE
FOUNDRY
BUILDING
55
THE MARKET PLAZAS
56
THE MARKET PLAZAS
57
VIEW FROM WISCONSIN AVENUE
58
THE WISCONSIN AVE CUTOUT
59

Alternative 2 Option A

EXPANDED STAIRS
GEORGETOWN
PARK
STONE ARCHWAY & SEATING STEPS

CANAL HOUSE
THE WISCONSIN AVE CUTOUT
60

Alternative 2 Option B

ELEVATOR

GEORGETOWN STAIRS
PARK
BOARDWALK STAIRS

BOARDWALK

CANAL HOUSE
THE MARKET PLAZAS TODAY
62
THE VIEW
63
OPTION 1 PLAZAS
THE MARKET
64

Alternative
The Potomac 2 Option
GatewayA

1 Georgetown Sky-Deck Balconies

DEAN
2 Elevator & Ramp &
DELUCA
3 Potomac Street Bridge & Ramp
4 Gongoozling Platform
5 Fish Market Grove GEORGETOWN PARK

6 Canal Intake Water Feature

1 2

3 C & O C A N A L

6 CANAL HOUSE

5
1000
POTOMAC STREET
GRACE STREET NW

POTOMAC
STREET
THE MARKET PLAZAS
65

Alternative 2 Option A

DEAN GEORGETOWN
& POTOMAC STREET ELEVATOR PARK
DELUCA

GEORGETOWN SKY DECK

CANAL HOUSE
BLUE
BOTTLE

GONGOOZLING PLATFORM

WATER INTAKE

FISH MARKET GROVE

1000
POTOMAC
STREET
OPTION 1 PLAZAS
THE MARKET
66

Alternative
The Potomac 2 Option
GatewayB

1 Georgetown Terrace Seating

DEAN
2 Fish Market Open Air Canopy &
DELUCA
3 Boardwalk & Canal Boat Dock

GEORGETOWN PARK

C & O C A N A L

CANAL HOUSE

1000
POTOMAC STREET
GRACE STREET NW

POTOMAC
STREET
THE MARKET PLAZAS
67

Alternative 2 Option B

DEAN GEORGETOWN
& PARK
DELUCA

TERRACE SEATING BOARDWALK & CANALBOAT DOCK

CANAL HOUSE
BLUE
BOTTLE

OPEN AIR CANOPY

1000
POTOMAC
STREET
 Flexible Space for Markets & Events

Open-Air Canopy

Water Projection Regent’s Canal Seating Terraces, London

THE AQUEDUCT & STONE YARD
69
THE KEY BRIDGE UNDERPASS
70

Gateway to the C&O National Historical Park

THE AQUEDUCT & STONE YARD
71
THE STONE YARD
72

Alternative 2 Option A

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY

MEMORIAL PARK
1

C & O C A N A L

3401
WATER STREET

3333 3303
34TH STREET

WATER STREET WATER STREET

1 New Stairs and ADA Ramp

2 Boat Launch
3 Boulder Lounges
OPTION 1 YARD
THE STONE
73

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayB

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY

MEMORIAL PARK

C & O C A N A L

3401
WATER STREET

3333 3303
34TH STREET

WATER STREET WATER STREET

1 Stone Yard Platform

74
THE AQUEDUCT
75

Views of the Potomac and Key Bridge

THE AQUEDUCT
76

Various Utilities Through History

OPTION 1
THE AQUEDUCT
77

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayA

BOAT HOUSE
(PROPOSED)
1 WATER STREET
(BELOW)

BOAT HOUSE
(EXISTING)
1 Aqueduct Meadow & Boardwalk
2 Cantilevered Overlook Platform
3 Whitehurst Freeway Towpath Ramps 2
4 Canal Towpath Bypass
Planting to Evoke Water
THE AQUEDUCT
79

Alternative 2 Option A

RAMPED PATH

RAMPED PATH

BOARDWALK

AQUEDUCT OVERLOOK PLATFORM

CANAL TOWPATH BYPASS

OPTION 1
THE AQUEDUCT
80

The Potomac
Alternative 2 Option
GatewayB

4
1

BOAT HOUSE
(PROPOSED)
WATER STREET
(BELOW)

1 Mile 1 Gateway Plaza & Trestle Pavilion 2 BOAT HOUSE

(EXISTING)
2 Terraced Planting
3 Overlook Frame
4 Aqueduct Kiosk
3
5 Boat Launch
THE AQUEDUCT
81

Alternative 2 Option B

KIOSK

BOAT LAUNCH
TRESTLE PAVILLION

AQUEDUCT OVERLOOK
 82

An Immersive Overlook
5 KEY PLACES
83

THE LOCKS

THE MARKET PLAZAS

THE AQUEDUCT
ROCK CREEK CONFLUENCE

MILE MARKER 0
 ONE POETIC PATH

31th ST BRIDGE

T. JEFFERSON BRIDGE

30th ST BRIDGE

29th ST BRIDGE
84
 85

THANK
YOU

VISION: Enhance the Georgetown section of the Canal as a dynamic, urban national
park that provides each person with a memorable and enriching experience.
GOALS:
1. Respect, celebrate, and interpret
historic character, authenticity, and
sense of place.
2. Rehabilitate and reveal historic structures
and cultural landscapes.
3. Improve safety.
4. Increase accessibility and public
access.
5. Build and sustain the capacity of the
Canal to serve as a living classroom and
ensure equitable access to education
and interpretation.
6. Incorporate an array of programming for
discovery, recreation, and reflection to
be enjoyed by broad and diverse
audiences.
86
7. Balance resource stewardship with
creating unique experiences.
8. Establish meaningful connections to, and
enhance the integration with the
surrounding community.
9. Provide essential amenities such as
signage, gathering spaces, restrooms,
trash and recycling bins, and drinking
fountains.
10. Incorporate sustainability, climate
adaptation, and resilience.
11. Ensure that the project is financially
sustainable and managed cooperatively,
efficiently, and responsibly.