CFA 22/JAN/09-2

Location

West Potomac Park Levee Project
17th Street, south of Constitution Avenue, NW
United States

Owner
National Park Service
Property
West Potomac Park Levee Project
Description
Improvements to the flood protection levee system including a new floodgate across 17th Street
Review Type
Revised concept
Previous Review

Letter

Dear Ms. O'Dell:

In its meeting of 22 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and approved the concept design for improvements to the West Potomac Park Levee at 17th Street, NW, and commended the applicant team for the sensitive resolution of the project's complex design issues.

However, the Commission members continued to express concern about the division of the project into a more utilitarian first phase and a separately funded second phase to provide aesthetic improvements; they emphasized that their approval is for the entire project and recommended that both phases be implemented together. The Commission also requested a more detailed planting plan as part of the final submission, commenting that planting should be placed as close as possible to the levee structure in order to compensate for the loss of trees that will result from the project.

The Commission looks forward to seeing the further development of the design in the final review. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the next submission.

Sincerely,

/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary

Peggy O'Dell, Regional Director
National Park Service, National Capital Region
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242

cc: Peter May, National Park Service
Anita Hairston, D.C. Office of Planning
David A. Rubin, Olin Partnership