Photo by Rob Shenk.

What do you want from America’s main street?

The National Capital Planning Commission will host the first workshop this Wednesday on the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, which “will study the near- and long-term needs of the Avenue and surrounding neighborhoods, identify a governance framework, and develop a vision for how the Avenue can meet local and national needs in a 21st century capital city.”

A major redevelopment effort led by the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation from the 1970’s to the 1990’s shaped the design and character of the street and surrounding neighborhood. This effort set the stage for the rebirth of downtown Washington.

The corporation responsible for this effort was dissolved in 1996, and today’s Avenue shows wear and tear from increased event use, has aging infrastructure, and needs to address jurisdictional challenges created from multiple agencies with responsibilities for planning, managing and maintaining various areas along the Avenue.

Among the issues facing Pennsylvania Avenue, according to NCPC, are aging infrastructure and furnishings, complicated jurisdictional boundaries and permitting, and the potential for a high office vacancy rate.

Find out more information here, and read a report here [PDF].