Letter
Dear Ms. Tregoning:
In its meeting of 16 July, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and approved the concept proposal for the exhibition of sculpture on the median of New York Avenue between 9th and 13th Streets, NW, and noted that this program would make a valuable contribution to the city's display of artwork in the public realm.
The Commission expressed enthusiasm for the installation of notable artwork in a prominent corridor of the city but emphasized the importance of careful management and maintenance of the project. For the physical improvements proposed to accommodate the sculptures, the Commission members requested that the new landscaping in the median be kept as neutral as possible to provide a setting that would not compete with the artwork. While they supported the use of signs to identify and interpret the artwork, they recommended that the number, location, and design of the signs—as well as the appropriate treatment of institutional sponsorship information—should be developed further in consultation with staff and other stakeholder and regulatory groups.
The Commission delegated the final review of the signs and construction details to the staff. Please coordinate the final submission with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Harriet Tregoning, Director
D.C. Office of Planning
2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Christopher Ziemman, D.C. Department of Transportation
Chris Shaheen, D.C. Office of Planning
Gloria Nauden, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Lito Tongson, Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District
Susan Fisher Sterling, National Museum of Women in the Arts