Planning
On both sides of the Maryland and DC border private, government and community stakeholders are coming together to plan for a future vision of a sustainable, livable Friendship Heights.
District of Columbia: The Office of Planning embarked on Wisconsin Avenue Development Framework in 2022. After more than a year of outreach and work, the final study was announced in early 2024. The Development Framework is focused on ensuring equitable development as DC plans for new housing and infill along the corridor. Recommendations promote well-designed blocks that serve residents of all ages and abilities with active public spaces anchored by retail, restaurants, and cultural and entertainment uses. Community engagement brought together multiple stakeholders to understand how to support new housing, thriving retail, and a more connected and attractive public realm. Read the final document here.
Montgomery County: As the Montgomery County Parks and Planning Department continues to build out its Thrive 2020 Plan to create more housing options in high-opportunity neighborhoods, planners will continue to bring stakeholders together to craft strategies to ensure the neighborhood is both vibrant and livable.
Friendship Heights Urban Design Study Completed in Spring 2024
Montgomery Planning is excited to announce the findings of the2023 Friendship Heights Urban Design Study: download the completed study. Hard copies are available at the information desk at Montgomery Planning’s Wheaton Headquarters (2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902). You can also watch a recording of the March 7 Planning Board presentation of the study.
Thank you to the Friendship Heights stakeholder community for your comments and feedback over the past several months. Your contributions helped shape the study’s findings.
Summary of Findings and Next Steps
The responses received from the community and a variety of stakeholders made it clear that residents and visitors enjoy Friendship Heights’ urban-in-suburban feel, its convenient, walkable, and Metro-friendly location, as well as its access to green spaces and the established, if struggling, commercial corridor.
There is also a recognition that the area hasn’t met its full potential, as many would like to see more active and vibrant gathering spaces and increased amenities. Further study is needed regarding opportunities to improve pedestrian safety and improved connectivity between the downtown, surrounding communities, and the many community parks and open spaces.
Planning staff will send the study’s findings to the Montgomery County Council and will offer to brief Councilmembers. For more information on the study and ways to stay connected with Friendship Heights planning news and updates, please visit the Friendship Heights Urban Design Study website.