Wiles Mensch Corporation – DC (WM) provided surveying, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services for the design of a 2.2 million SF mixed-use development. The project consists of five mixed-use, LEED Platinum certified buildings: 200 Massachusetts, 250 Massachusetts, 200 F Street, 600 Second, and 201 F Street. The project spans seven-acres and includes retail, commercial, and residential uses. The project site sits above an active section of I-395. The project includes 70,000 SF of retail, pedestrian plazas, and an underground parking garage accommodating 1,100 vehicles.

In direct coordination with DDOT, WM provided topographic and utility surveying of 2nd Street, 3rd Street, Massachusetts Avenue, H-Street, E-Street and the I-395 highway. Detailed reconfiguration of the exit ramps and a new I-395 entrance were incorporated into the design to improve traffic flows and make travel along Massachusetts Avenue safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The survey was also utilized for locating all the existing utilities, which would be relocated and upgraded for the massive project. The team’s work includes streetscape design to contribute to the revitalization of the public space and utility design. In addition to the survey and utility work completed,

WM completed stormwater management design for the development. A significant feature of the stormwater management plan is a cistern that captures 90% of stormwater runoff to contribute to the site’s sustainability. WM is also providing LEED design services to help the project achieve it’s targeted LEED Platinum certification.

While the project was under construction, all access to I-395 remained functional. In order to support the weight of the five buildings, they were placed on a platform. This project now connects the east end of downtown to Capitol Hill, and was designed to closely replicate Pierre L’Enfant’s original plan for the District.

Photos courtesy of: SOM