by Nena Perry-Brown

DDOT's planned concept for Dave Thomas Circle. Click to enlarge.

On Monday night, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) unveiled how the city plans to redesign the site colloquially known as "Dave Thomas Circle".

Following years of studies and grievances about the awkward, oft-dangerous and -congested intersection at First Street, Florida and New York Avenue NE (map), DDOT is opting to move forward with "Virtual Circle Concept 6", a design alternative which would replace the block of First Street abutting the site with an extended Eckington Place, with the latter nearly aligning with First Street on the other side of New York Avenue. Open green space would replace the existing block of First Street and the remainder of the Wendy's restaurant site, as well as the block of O Street currently between New York and Florida Avenues.

The proposal would also make Florida Avenue a two-way street, create dedicated turn lanes for New York and Florida Avenues, and create two-way "cycletracks" on First Street and New York Avenue, with the latter to intersect with another cycletrack separately planned for Florida Avenue.

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DDOT's team is currently preparing to seize the property and relocate Wendy's while conducting an environmental assessment; a more formal design concept for the site will be released in June. The concept is expected to evolve into a preliminary design this fall, and over the following year, a final design for the intersection and for Florida Avenue between 2nd and H Streets NE will be established.

DDOT is currently soliciting public feedback on the proposal in advance of the June meeting.

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This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the-plans-to-redesign-dave-thomas-circle/15329