The National Park Service is seeking input on a proposal to redesign intersections, add new trail connections and expand waterfront access in Old Town North, among other changes.
The agency is planning a slate of future upgrades along the GW Parkway, Mount Vernon Trail and Potomac waterfront, aiming to make the areas “safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for everyone,” according to a press release. Plans include trail bridge replacement, new bike lanes and crosswalks and “improved views” of the waterfront.
The upgrades are proposed in connection with plans to redevelop the former Potomac River Generating System power plant’s 18.8-acre site. The project area “extends from just north of Slaters Lane to just south of Bashford Lane,” according to NPS.
“Proposed actions address longstanding safety and access challenges, expand recreational opportunities, and improve coordination of public space and maintenance across federal and private lands,” NPS wrote.
Members of the public can learn more and provide feedback during a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. next Monday. The meeting, which was postponed from its original October date, will be held via Zoom. A public comment period will last from Jan. 12-Feb. 12.
NPS’ proposals are listed below.
Mount Vernon Trail and Potomac River access: add new trail connections, replace the aging cantilevered trail bridge and widen portions of the trail. Create river overlooks, and new recreational access to the Potomac River.
Transportation and Safety upgrades: redesigned intersections at Slaters and Bashford Lanes, with added safety features such as bike lanes, crosswalks, and signals.
More public space: expanded riverfront access, improved views, and coordinated park areas with the nearby redevelopment district.
Led by Hilco Redevelopment Partners, the power plant redevelopment project entails up to 2,000 new residential units, including 160 to 170 affordable homes, as well as “entrepreneurial and commercial activities in a mixed-use environment,” according to the city.
Demolition at the site is expected to begin in 2027.
