DDOT selects VHB to conduct livability study in Washington, D.C.

Tysons, Va. — The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) selected VHB to conduct a Livability Study in Southeast DC. The goals of the study are to promote safe travel in the project area and to improve the transportation network for all modes of travel.

The northern part of the study area begins at East Capitol Street and Southern Avenue SE, and stretches west to the Anacostia River and south to Massachusetts Avenue SE. VHB will evaluate the street network in the study area and identify opportunities for a safer, more interconnected and accessible multimodal network. The end result will be improved transportation infrastructure to accommodate an anticipated increase of traffic and changes in transportation preferences of residents and visitors. The plan, due February 2017, will also include cost-effective strategies for implementation.

VHB will use the principles of the Center for Disease Control’s Healthy Community Design initiative to create a plan which enhances a sense of comfort and livability for residents in the study area. The principles of Healthy Community design include: access to green space and parks; good pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure with easy-to-follow signage; and community centers where people can gather and mingle as part of their daily activities. 

The firm has worked with DDOT on several similar projects and collaborations such as the LeDroit Park Neighborhood Low Impact Development Project, Cathedral Commons development, the Catholic University of America (CUA) Campus Master Plan, and CUA West Gateway.

VHB’s Paul Moyer, AICP, ENV SP will lead the project and is a certified planner with a background in architecture, land use planning and environmental impact analysis. Moyer brings 28 years of experience in community revitalization plans, land use plans, corridor plans, design guidelines, and detailed implementation strategies for both public and private clients in the Mid-Atlantic region. Recently, he has served as the Deputy Project Manager for the LeDroit Park neighborhood low impact development project, supporting DDOT at community work sessions. He is also currently leading VHB’s efforts on the Union Station 2nd Century Master Plan, giving him valuable experience in the region to help translate community needs into desirable and implementable plans.