Let's Keep Howard University's East Campus Forested

Howard University plans to redevelop its 23-acre East Campus. This site is largely undeveloped with forested areas, Special trees, Heritage trees, and three historic structures that will be preserved. The University envisions the creation of a unique living learning community, along with low density housing. In 2016, Urban Land Institute studied the site and recommended preserving many of the mature trees.

In January 2019, this development entered Phase II, which focuses on community engagement. The first charrette was hosted on February 5th. Most recently, the development team and Howard University hosted a second charette on July 15th to receive input on the preferred uses for the site. The master development team, FLGA ZOM, plans to divide the property into areas for mixed-use, single family detached residences, low density townhomes, and academic facilities.

The development team has reassured community residents that all healthy Heritage trees on the property will remain, as legally required by the Tree Canopy Amendment Act of 2016. Depending on the preferred uses of the site, however, the configuration of the new buildings could:

Fragment the several patches of contiguous tree canopy cover
Impact Special trees on site
Exacerbate stormwater runoff

We invite you to join us in submitting comments to the HU East development team (FLGA ZOM). We believe that Howard University and FLGA ZOM can protect the integrity of this site by protecting the extensive forest areas throughout the property. There are several open spaces that are best suited to accommodate development without significant impact to tree canopy. We are asking that the development team protects the patches of contiguous tree canopy on-site and retains as many Special trees as possible, to ensure that the future buildings will have a lower footprint on the property.

We have also included example comments below with our asks for this project. We encourage you to use this as a template when writing your comments, but please feel free to personalize your comments with any additional concerns and feedback.

First Name

Last Name

Public Comment

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[Your introduction]  Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the redevelopment of the Howard University East Campus. While we appreciate that Howard University and FLGA ZOM are reimagining this site to breathe new life into a valuable Brookland asset, I am concerned about the future of the many mature trees found throughout the property. These large trees are a staple of the Howard University East campus, and even if they are replaced, it will take decades for the new trees to reach the same level of maturity.   I understand that a significant effort has been made to develop a site use plan to highlight the Heritage trees on the property and I sincerely appreciate this effort. These large trees are often over a century old and their broad canopy shades visitors, captures rainwater on their leaves and branches, and lowers heating and cooling costs for buildings. We also ask that the development team protects as many Special trees on the property as possible, as they also provide numerous benefits and without protecting them, they will never become Heritage trees. Special trees are trees that are between 44” and 99.9” in circumference and take decades to mature and provide their maximum environmental and economic benefits.   It is essential that the development team minimizes their impact on existing trees and implement a robust replanting plan so that the net canopy at the Howard University East Campus increases post-development.   Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this development project.

Please note the area where we have asked you to insert your own optional introduction above.

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