Letter
Dear Mr. Kayne:
In its meeting of 22 January, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a concept design for a new ice skating arena at Fort Dupont Park, located at 3779 Ely Place, SE, comprising the rebuilding of the existing ice rink facility and a new rink to be constructed over the existing parking lot. The Commission did not take an action, requesting further exploration of the site design to improve the relationship of the new facility to the public street and the adjacent parkland.
In their general support of the project, the Commission members expressed concern that the new facility continues to present a large area of asphalt pavement at its most visible edge, which they characterized as a suburban strategy for an urban site along an important public park. They suggested an alternative concept for the site design, where the new elevated rink is located closer to the street, with the entrance possibly located between this rink and Fort Dupont Park; they also suggested simplification of the building entrance. They recommended developing the landscape design, such as adding more trees within the parking lot and ensuring good accommodation for transit stops along the street.
The Commission looks forward to reviewing further development of the design responding to these comments; please coordinate with the staff for the next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Jonathan Kayne, Interim Director
D.C. Department of General Services
2000 14th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
cc: Daniel Curry, Quinn Evans Architects
Jeffrey McInnis, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation