New Hampshire Avenue at the southern end of the PEPCO corridor
New Hampshire Avenue at the northern end of its commercial strip
This entire commercial strip from the southern end of the PEPCO corridor to the MD-DC line is about 1,600 in length and encompases about 13 retail strip properties, including the auto parts store that was originally built as a supermarket.
A recent planning effort envisions redeveloping this strip with far greater density- a concept compatible with the highway, as the segment would be depressed and hence accomdatable for a deck atop.
Just inside Washington, D.C., the route would displace about 27 brick houses- the number being this low because of the large open space of the immediately adajacent field.
This field is a part of the property of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home at 6000 New Hampshire Avenue, reportedly built in 1905.
The freeway would be depressed, would not require demolishing either of the two main structures, and could be constructed as a cut and cover tunnel in order to preserve the field.
My studies of the history of the official inside the Beltway highway planning have yet to reveal any openly stated concerns by any Masonic Order, including Eastern Star regarding the route nor the idea of a cut and cover tunnel which, AFIAK, was not proposed anywhere along New Hampshire Avenue.
