(Washington, DC) - The DC Office of Planning is providing several opportunities for public comments on the recently released draft Florida Avenue Market Small Area Plan.  The draft Plan is the product of over 24 months of intense collaboration with community stakeholders and District government agencies.  The Small Area Plan is designed to guide development that may occur at the Florida Avenue Market site.  Property and business owners, institutions, civic leaders, residents and other stakeholders participated in the formulation of the vision for the Market and corresponding recommendations to implement the vision.  The plan will be used by these stakeholders to evaluate future development proposals and to guide public investment.

OP encourages interested stakeholders to review the plan, which is available online  or by visiting one of the following locations:

Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center   1200 Morse Street. NE Washington, DC 20002	Robert L Christian Library 1300 H Street., NE Washington, DC 20002
Gallaudet University Library 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002	Martin Luther King Jr. Library 901 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
Office of Planning 2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20009	Trinidad Recreation Center 1310 Childress St., NE Washington, DC 20002

Stakeholders and the public can comment on the draft plan during the following opportunities:

• Public Comment Period. From April 17, 2009 to May 18, 2009, written comments on the plan can be submitted by US Mail, fax, or e-mail to: Melissa Bird, DC Office of Planning, 2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009, by fax to (202) 442-7638, or by e-mail to Melissa.Bird@dc.gov. Comments must include the name, address and any organization for which the comments represent. 
• Mayoral Public Hearing. A public hearing on the draft Small Area Plan has been scheduled for May 18, 2009 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at Gallaudet University, Merrill Learning Center Bldg (library), Room 1111.  The hearing provides an additional opportunity for stakeholders to present comments on the plan by providing oral testimony.  Parties interested in providing testimony at the Mayoral Public Hearing are encouraged to register in advance with Deborah Crain, Neighborhood Planning Coordinator for Ward 5, DC Office of Planning, at (202) 442-7600 or Deborah.Crain@dc.gov.

More information on the plan’s vision and strategies can be found here, or contact the DC Office of Planning at (202) 442-7600.