FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING 8

[Pages:42]FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING 8 EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

WASHINGTON, DC U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

AUGUST 2009

This page intentionally left blank

FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING 8 EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Responsible Agency: General Services Administration

Cooperating Agency: National Capital Planning Commission

Abstract: The General Services Administration (GSA), in cooperation with National Capital Planning Commission, has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) for exterior improvements to Federal Office Building 8 (FOB 8) in Washington, DC. The project includes the renovation of the exterior of the building and its grounds, the addition of an entrance pavilion, and the installation of permanent perimeter security. This EA considers the environmental effects of implementing the No Action (no build) alternative and three action alternatives. The action alternatives differ in the location

of perimeter security and the design of a landscaped plaza on the north elevation of the building.

For information concerning this document contact: Suzanne Hill

GSA NCR NEPA Lead 301 7th Street SW Room 7600

Washington, DC 20407 Phone: (202)205-5821 suzanne.hill@

This page intentionally left blank

FOB 8 EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Purpose and Need 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Background 1.3 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action 1.4 Public Involvement and Agency Coordination 1.5 Environmental Issues Considered

2.0 Alternatives 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Alternatives Considered But Dismissed From Detailed Analysis 2.3 Alternative A: Preferred Alternative 2.4 Alternative B 2.5 Alternative C 2.6 No Action Alternative 2.7 Comparison of Alternatives 2.8 Selection of Preferred Alternative

3.0 Affected Environment 3.1 Cultural Resources 3.1.1 Archaeological Resources 3.1.2 Historic Resources 3.1.3 Visual Resources 3.2 Socio-Economic Resources 3.2.1 Land Use 3.2.2 Planning Policies 3.2.3 Public Space 3.3 Natural Resources 3.3.1 Vegetation 3.3.2 Water Resources 3.4 Transportation 3.4.1 Vehicular Circulation

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

1-1 1-3 1 -5 1 -6 1-7

2 -1 2-1 2-3 2-9 2-12 2-14 2-14 2-18

3-1 3 -3 3-4 3-22 3-36 3-36 3-37 3-42 3-43 3-43 3-45 3-46 3-46

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

3.4.2 Parking 3.4.3 Public Transportation 3.4.4 Pedestrian/Bicycle Circulation 3.5 Utilities/Infrastructure 3.5.1 Utilities 3.5.2 Stormwater Management 3.5.3 Hazardous Waste/Contamination 3.6 Air Quality 3.7 Noise Levels

4.0 Environmental Consequences 4.1 Cultural Resources 4.1.1 Archaeological Resources 4.1.2 Historic Resources 4.1.3 Visual Resources 4.2 Socio-Economic Resources 4.2.1 Land Use 4.2.2 Planning Policies 4.2.3 Public Space 4.3 Natural Resources 4.3.1 Vegetation 4.3.2 Water Resources 4.4 Transportation 4.4.1 Vehicular Circulation 4.4.2 Parking 4.4.3 Public Transportation 4.4.4 Pedestrian/Bicycle Circulation 4.5 Utilities/Infrastructure 4.5.1 Utilities 4.5.2 Stormwater Management 4.5.3 Hazardous Waste/Contamination 4.6 Air Quality 4.7 Noise Levels

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOB 8 EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

3-47 3-48 3-49 3-51 3-51 3-52 3-53 3-54 3-55

4-1 4 -2 4-4 4-8 4-17 4-17 4-17 4-20 4-23 4-23 4-23 4-25 4-25 4-26 4-26 4-27 4-30 4-30 4-33 4-34 4-35 4-36

FOB 8 EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

4.8 Cumulative Impacts 5.0 Appendix

5.1 Sources 5.2 Preparers 5.3 Notification List FIGURES Figure 1-1 FOB 8 Project Site and Surrounding Area Figure 1-2 FOB 8 as viewed from the north side of C Street, SW Figure 2-1 Entry Pavilion Reduction Figure 2-2 Proposed Exterior Improvements to FOB 8 Figure 2-3 Typical Streetscape Condition Figure 2-4 Typical Plaza Condition Figure 2-5 Alternative A Site Plan Figure 2-6 Alternative B Site Plan Figure 2-7 Alternative C Site Plan Figure 3-1 Area of Potential Effects for Historic Resources Figure 3-2 L'Enfant Plan for the City of Washington, 1791 Figure 3-3 The Mall Figure 3-4 View south on 3rd Street from Jefferson Drive

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

4-37

1-2 1-4 2-2 2-4 2-5 2-7 2-9 2-12 2-14 3-2 3-5 3-7 3-8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Figure 3-5 U.S. Capitol Building Figure 3-6 View to U.S. Capitol from the northeast corner of the project site Figure 3-7 Hubert H. Humphrey Building Figure 3-8 View of Hubert H. Humphrey Building from FOB 8 Figure 3-9 Mary Switzer Building Figure 3-10 Wilbur J. Cohen Building Figure 3-11 U.S. Botanic Garden Figure 3-12 View of U.S. Botanic Garden from FOB 8 Figure 3-13 The Bartholdi Fountain Figure 3-14 View east on C Street from 3rd Street, SW Figure 3-15 View west on C Street with FOB 8 and the Switzer

Building in the foreground Figure 3-16 View along the Diagonal Portion of C Street from the

northeast corner of the project site Figure 3-17 View looking north along 3rd Street from D Street, SW Figure 3-18 View looking north on 3rd street near C Street, SW Figure 3-19 View looking east on D Street, SW with FOB 8 on the left Figure 3-20 View along D Street, SW looking west with FOB 8 on the right Figure 3-21 View south on 2nd Street from C Street, with FOB 8 on the right

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOB 8 EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

3-10 3-11 3-12 3-13 3-15 3-17 3-18 3-19 3-21 3-24 3-25

3-26

3-28 3-29 3-31 3-32 3-34

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download