NCPC Approves East Wing Modernization Plans

• By Stephen Staudigl
• April 06, 2026

NCPC Approves East Wing Modernization Plans

At its Thursday, April 2 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission deliberated and then voted to approve preliminary and final site and building plans for the East Wing Modernization Project. The project includes a permanent, secure event space within the White House grounds that will provide increased capacity for official state functions.

Commissioners noted that the applicant updated the project design to eliminate the stairs extending from the south portico and modify the stairs at the project's southwest corner to include a switchback. Commissioners were supportive of this change, particularly the removal of the south portico stair. The Commission saw a presentation by NCPC staff and the project design team, asked questions, and then heard testimony from members of the public at the March 5 meeting. The deliberation and vote were continued until April to allow the Commission time to review and consider public comments.

NCPC approved preliminary site and building plans submitted by the Office of the Mayor of the District of Columbia for the New Stadium at RFK Campus. Plans call for a new roofed stadium for the Washington Commanders on the site of the old Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The stadium's design, inspired by architecture in Washington's monumental core, seeks to balance innovative stadium design with respect to its location by maintaining the East Capitol Street viewshed towards the U.S. Capitol and referencing the original stadium's form. The entire campus master plan will include five districts, but the Commission's current review is focused on the approximately 30-acre Stadium District.

Commissioners appreciated that the column spacing and design was further refined, as was that of the site design which includes the festival plaza, west entry, and east plaza. They encouraged the applicant to continue refining the north and south entries which open to the surrounding neighborhoods, and requested additional information regarding lighting and exterior graphics, design details for permanent kiosks and pavilions, as well as for perimeter security elements.

The review of two planned parking decks will take place at a future NCPC meeting, although Commissioners expressed concern that they were not included in the original submission. In anticipation of future reviews, the Commission requested the applicant evaluate alternative orientations for the G1 and G2 garages to reduce visual impacts of views to the stadium and from adjacent neighborhoods; lower the garages' heights, particularly for the G2 garage near the Kingman Park neighborhood; and provide details about phasing of upper garage floors as surrounding surface lots are developed, as well as plans for active uses for the garages' ground floors.

NCPC provided comments on design concepts for the New Pennsylvania Avenue Plan. The initiative is a multi-federal and District agency effort by the Pennsylvania Avenue Project Partners (NCPC, General Services Administration, National Park Service, District of Columbia, DowntownDC Business Improvement District, and Events DC) to reinvigorate and transform the 1.2-mile stretch of the corridor between the White House and U.S. Capitol. The partnership is preparing a new Pennsylvania Avenue Plan to transform the Avenue into a premier venue for regional and national events and a great everyday street for city life. The plan envisions a magnificent stage -showcasing the best of American art, culture, and entertainment -paired with beautiful public spaces, modern infrastructure, and integrated security that will serve the nation for generations.

Commissioners provided feedback on several components of the corridor including reallocation of roadway space, tree types (canopy trees or columnar trees) and ceremonial poles. Commissioners supported the proposed reconfigured roadway and the move of the bike lane to the south side. Generally, there was a preference for the canopy trees, and while some thought the poles intrusive, others liked how they framed the Avenue with flags.

The Commission also provided feedback on designs for three areas: Western End (Freedom Plaza), Crossroads (Market Square), and Eastern End (John Marshall Park). Two alternatives for Freedom Plaza were presented: one that restores the historic roadway alignment flanked by two street-level plazas and one, similar to the current configuration, which retains a central plaza and the existing roadway alignment and creates a street level central plaza. Two options for Market Square both seek to improve connections between downtown and the National Mall while embracing the historic character and adding amenities. Three options were presented to make John Marshall Park a flexible event space that supports daily use, enhances comfort, preserves the 4th Street viewshed, and improves access and security. Commissioners recommended further study of the options and look forward to seeing more details in the fall.

Design concepts are currently available for public input through April 30. The Commission and public feedback will be used to refine the alternatives considered for future analysis, and agency staff will present updated designs to the Commission in the fall. NCPC intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As part of the public engagement process, NCPC invites interested parties, agencies, tribes, and members of the public to participate in Scoping to identify issues, concerns, and alternatives that should be addressed in the EA. Comments will be accepted from through April 30.

The Commission then provided comments on the George Washington Memorial Parkway Vista Management Plan submitted by the National Park Service. The plan would cover vista management for 15 historic vistas along a 2.65-mile stretch of the parkway in Arlington, Virginia between Chain Bridge and Sprout Run. The concept plans include five different vista management alternatives that range from preserving all 15 historic vistas to allowing all to naturally re-grow with vegetation. The parkway was built in stages between 1929 and 1970.

Commissioners supported the plan's goal to manage vistas in a way that honors the scenic roadway and its namesake. For the next review, Commissioners requested information about the level of maintenance needed and number of visitors, if available. They mentioned that additional evaluation of the alternatives is needed from historic preservation, resource protection, maintenance, and funding perspectives. The National Park Service noted that the public input process is ongoing.

NCPC also provided comments on concept plans for a White House Visitor Screening Facility submitted by the Executive Office of the President. The project would consist of a below-grade facility (approximately 33,000 square feet) with an entrance plaza on Sherman Park's south side and a ground-level facility (4,000 square feet) on East Executive Avenue. The facility would provide a permanent solution to ensure the safety of White House complex visitors and workers by removing temporary trailers and tents. The underground facility would include seven screening lanes.

The Commission encouraged the applicant to explore opportunities to refine the ground-level facility's design to be more compatible with its setting. Commissioners requested that the U.S. Secret Service work with NCPC early in its process to design a more permanent perimeter security for the entire White House complex in general, and around Sherman Park in particular; provide a landscape plan showing proposed new tree and landscape plantings; and provide proposed materials for the entrance area into the below-ground screening facility.

Next, the Commission approved preliminary site and building plans submitted by the Smithsonian Institution for the National Zoological Park Construct New Arabian Leopard Habitat. Plans call for a new exhibit featuring habitats for Arabian Leopards, a care facility, and visitor viewing areas. The National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute has a working relationship and shared goal with Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla to conserve the endangered Arabian Leopard species. The exhibit would create a program, similar to the panda program, that seeks to breed Arabian Leopards and share the story of their conservation and rewilding.

Before adjourning, the Commission provided comments on concept plans for the P-250 Biomolecular Science and Synthetic Biology Laboratory submitted by the U.S. Navy. The proposed 89,000-square-foot, four-story building would be located on the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Southwest Washington. Commissioners recommended that the site design incorporate improved pedestrian pathways and sidewalks and that the applicant consider exploring a more simplified and cohesive building design compatible with the campus' architecture.

Commission actions and related materials are available online.

The Commission approved one item on the Consent Calendar (no presentation was made).

1. Comments on the Naval Support Facility Suitland - Draft Area Development Plan and Transportation Management Plan Updates, 4215 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland. (M215)

The Chairman approved one item under authority delegated by the Commission. The project is in Washington, DC.

1. Transfer of Jurisdiction for Bridge 78 - S.O. 25-03850, 640 Anacostia Avenue NE. (8745)

The Executive Director approved six items under authority delegated by the Commission. Unless otherwise noted, the projects are in Washington, DC.

1. Preliminary and final building plans for the USDA South Building T-Mobile Antenna Installation, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. (8751)
2. Preliminary and final site development plans for the Chicken and Egg Temporary Art, N Street, NE and New York Avenue, NE. (8755)
3. Preliminary site and building plans for the New Douglass Community Center, 1922 Frederick Douglass Court, SE. (8760)
4. Comments to the Council of the District of Columbia for the Closing of a Portion of 35th Street, NW in Square 1177-1179 - S.O. 26-01008, 3500 Water Street, NW. (8758)
5. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for a Text Amendment to Regulations Governing Alley Lots. (ZC 25-06)
6. Report to the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia for the Text Amendment to Update the RA-1 Zone. (ZC 25-08)