RSS FeedSound Off: The Future Of Pennsylvania Avenue
We didn’t realize how much of a discussion Sunday’s WaPo article on the new draft National Capital Framework Plan, specifically the Federal Triangle [PDF], part of our neighborhood, and its opening line of “Imagine the drab fortress of the FBI building gone,” would gin up in the comments of Columbo’s recent PQ Living litter story.
To add a dash of interest and drama, all you have to do is read this WaBizJo article about the possible redevelopment of the Old Post Office building at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, home to the National Endowment of the Arts.
These buildings are almost across the street from each other. Are their current uses fulfilling their best potential on America’s Main Avenue?
A few quotes we’ll throw out from the Framework follow the break…
On the Old Post Office:
Since the mid 1970s there has been interest in more effectively capitalizing on the location and historic resource offered by the magnificent OPO [Old Post Office] to create an accessible and welcoming destination. Adaptive reuse would help to showcase the landmark architecture of the Richardsonian Romanesque structure and make better use of the outdoor public space, thereby enlivening the area beyond the workday and contributing to the vitality of the public realm.
On the FBI building:
If in the long term, the FBI is able to better fulfill its mission in an appropriate location elsewhere in the District, redevelopment of the site would significantly contribute to the rejuvenation of Pennsylvania Avenue and improve connectivity between the city and the monumental core. The site could be redeveloped to benefit the federal government, the city, and its visitors. Federal offices developed above public street-level uses could fill the blocks between D, E, 9th, and 10th Streets. Redevelopment of this site provides an opportunity to reclaim a portion of the D Street right-of-way as a pedestrian connection. A nationally significant museum with a prominent public plaza could front on Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Comments
I spend hours each week standing outside the Old Post Office waiting for tourist buses to arrivel. Tourists are always amazed by the building. Try standing there on a Sunday morning and watch their disappointment when they learn the Old Post Office doesn’t open until noon on Sunday. The plaza on the south, east, and north sides are the sadest part. Just a bit of vision from the city could turn these dull places in to active vending locations (think of the plaza on the north side of the Verizon Center @ 7th & G).
The FBI building has little external interest for tourists. The display of the evolution of the American flag on the Pennsylvania Avenue side is interesting … but the trees now completely block the view from the street. How about putting the flag evolution display inside the Old Post Office? Hanging flags from the balconies overlooking the food court would be a welcome return to the old way of displaying the flag.
No one would say that the landscaping around the Department of Justice building is inviting either.
Look at the tourists and locals who stop on the sidewalk outside the Newsmuseum to read the newspaper. Could the FBI at least have a display of the 10 most wanted posters? How about a display of the “agent of the year” or whatever is the top honor. Time for a bit of PR … since tours of the FBI have been cancelled forever.
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oooohhh…bringing back any part of the l’enfant street plan would be awesome. i’m even more excited about the possibility of getting rid of that eyesore!