Letter
Dear Mr. Acosta:
In its meeting of 16 April, the Commission of Fine Arts was pleased to hear an information presentation on the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, a plan of the National Capital Planning Commission intended to provide guidance for the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between the U.S. Capitol and the White House. Expressing appreciation for the presented concept alternatives, the Commission provided the following comments to assist in the development of the initiative.
The Commission members expressed support for the thoughtful research and development of alternatives and the opportunity to reenvision this highly symbolic corridor. In order to reinforce the avenue’s iconic axial views, they recommended that its centerline align as closely as possible with that of the historic L’Enfant Plan axis; they also encouraged a consistent curb alignment. They endorsed relocating the bike lanes from the middle of the avenue to the south side, at the same plane as the sidewalk and separated from traffic, helping to make the street more orderly. For the trees lining the avenue, they expressed a strong preference for the option that uses only large canopy trees, which allows for better, continuous shade and a more episodic and evocative presentation of views; they found that the fastigiate trees appear alien to the character of Washington, D.C., and would not be appropriate for Pennsylvania Avenue. They commended the removal of traffic lights from the center of the avenue as well as the patriotic and diplomatic opportunity to display flags and banners that would be provided by the monumental poles.
For the three focus area alternatives presented, the Commission members provided the following comments:
Freedom Plaza. They expressed strong support for the reimagination of this space, noting the clarity of the open, framed plaza option, which they said would define the space better than the other options while providing the important axial view towards the Capitol, as well as incorporating additional trees for shading this sunny site. They strongly urged that the plaza be kept open and uncluttered, without including features such as structured shade canopies and splash pools. They requested more information about the site’s existing materials and features, and they emphasized that the historic statue of General Casimir Pulaski should remain a prominent feature in the redesign.
Market Square. Recognizing the National Archives as a high-quality architectural and cultural site as the repository for the founding documents of America, they discouraged introducing a new program of artwork or other interventions on this side of the avenue; they recommended placing such elements on the north side of the avenue near the Metrorail entrance and the General Winfield Scott Hancock statue. They suggested that fastigiate trees, proposed in one street section alternative for Pennsylvania Avenue, could instead be used along the blocks of Indiana Avenue, NW.
John Marshall Park. They expressed a strong preference for the alternative with a continuously sloping lawn as the most appropriate, which they found would extend the landscape of trees from Pennsylvania Avenue into the site and would provide a new location for events and programming adjacent to the avenue. For the development of the design, they requested additional views of the surrounding buildings, spaces, and site features, in order to inform the improvement of access to and activation of the park northward, which may include the possible relocation of the John Marshall statue.
The Commission looks forward to further consultation and review as the development of the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative progresses. Please continue to coordinate with the staff in the preparation of future submissions and throughout the planning process.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Marcel Acosta, Executive Director
National Capital Planning Commission
401 9th Street, NW, Suite 500-N
Washington, DC 20004
cc: David Rubin, David Rubin Land Collective
Tammy Stidham, National Park Service
Kristi Tunstall Williams, General Services Administration
Anita Cozart, D.C. Office of Planning