Officials Plan New Entry Points For Georgetown Commercial District

GEORGETOWN, DC — Georgetown officials are in the process of solidifying plans to enhance the major entry points into the commercial district of Georgetown. Dubbed the "Georgetown Gateway Project," developers are brainstorming possible major entry points to help alleviate the uncertainty visitors experience when trying to identify the beginning of Georgetown's commercial district.

The distinct entrances will be located at: K Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, M Street, Key Bridge and Wisconsin Avenue.

"Georgetown's architectural character is already distinct, but there are opportunities to enhance the experience of arriving in Georgetown," said Jamie Scott, the Economic Development Manager of the Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID).

The initiative emerged from the Georgetown 2028 15-year action plan to improve certain elements of the commercial district.

The BID selected a design partner for the project through a competitive bidding process. They ultimately chose local firm Beyer Blinder Belle to lead in the planning.

Beyer Blinder Belle, based in Georgetown, has a "deep knowledge of the neighborhood, demonstrated design expertise and creativity, expertise in historic preservation, and a commitment to community engagement," according to a statement from the BID.

The firm will work with the Georgetown BID to engage the business community and residential community in order to develop designs for the five primary entrances to Georgetown.

"We're confident Beyer Blinder Belle will design gateway elements that are distinctive and contemporary, but also respectful of character," Scott said.

Scott said the Gateways Project team hopes to have a completed design by the end of 2017, and begin implementation in 2018.

Photo: Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, John Weiss/Flickr