RSS FeedFeels Like The First Time
Do you ever look at something and wonder “has that been there all along?” That’s the position we find ourselves in this morning. While out walking the dog we noticed bike racks in the street on D & 8th St NW. These racks are popping up all over PQ, but so far always (as far as we know) on the sidewalk. Granted this is a dead-end at 8th St, and a no parking zone as well. But have these been here for a while, or are we right in thinking these are brand new?
It’s a great use of the space as far as we’re concerned, more bike (or dog) parking is always welcome. It looks like there is even enough room on either side for the delivery trucks we see parked there on a daily basis.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
The bike rack popped up yesterday afternoon. I’m usually there twice a day with my dog.
By the way, is anyone getting the Bruegger’s bottomless mug for 2011? Can someone provide a review of their coffee? I’ve been thinking about getting it.
I love having bike racks around town, but there is a reason that there was and is a no parking zone along D Street between the two Market Square buildings.
Eighth Street is mid-way between the White House and The Capitol. It was a special street in L’Enfant’s plan and has been recognized as such. When PADC oversaw development south of the National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Building, it was very careful in The Plan to regulate building heights, uses, etc. to fram the recipricol vista between the two neo-classical buildings: the National Archives on the south and the NPG/SAAM on the north. Carter Brown compared this vista to the Rue Royal in Paris, which is between the Madeleine and the Obelisk at the Place de la Concord (if anyone wants me to go into how magificient this reciprocal vista is, just leave a comment along those lines).
Another tidbit, the west wall of the Market Square East building is splayed because, we discovered, that either the National Archives or NPG/SAAM building — and I apologize but I cannot remember which one — is slightly off the center axis of 8th Street. One does not bother with such things if the 8th Street vista were not considered historically significant.
You will note that there also is a No parking zone on F Street in front of the musuem entrance, again, the width of the 8th Street right-of-way. It’s because of the vista.
I think the average person does not recognize the importance of urban design in creating some of the most amazing urban spaces in our favorite cities. And that really is what makes it so wonderful. We experience spaces and feel better for being there or walking through there but don’t think why or even if we think why, we rarely know why. Most of these spaces are created; they do not happen by chance.
Eighth Street is one of those spaces and it is my hope that DDOT will move the bike rack on D Street so that it does not mar the vista. It can go to any number of spots on D Street or near the Zipcar parking spot on 8th Street.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
They are definitely new. Martin from the CCCA highlighted new instreet bike racks in front of E Street Cinema and the Verizon McDonalds yesterday.