09/2003 | Pennsylvania Avenue Plan Ready for Primetime |
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Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House will get an overhaul based on a plan proposed by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. The design will replace the temporary security barriers currently scattered along the avenue and adjoining streets. The plan, according to federal officials, creates a distinguished, pedestrian-oriented, and landscaped civic space to include well-designed security booths and bollards, street tree planting, new paving materials, and “street furniture” such as benches and lighting. In a White House ceremony, First Lady Laura Bush lauded the proposal, which was approved by the National Capital Planning Commission September 4. “After years of planning, Pennsylvania Avenue will once again provide an inviting place for visitors. Barriers will be replaced with towering elms, and benches along the open walkways will make welcome spots to enjoy the historic scenery of Washington, D.C.” The First Lady’s remarks are posted on the White House Web site. Park-like
environment The plan proposes security booths and a sally port to secure each of the four entry points. The booths, with base dimensions of 9 feet by 12 feet, reflect the Classical architecture found along the avenue, but are also contemporary in their proportion of glass to stone and metal. The booths will have a granite base, cast-iron columns painted to match the Henry Bacon lights, and lead-coated copper roofs. Construction on the $26 million plan is set to start in January and is planned for completion prior to the next presidential inauguration. The president’s budget includes $15 million for the project, and Congress has set aside the other $11 million. The Federal Highway Administration will manage the construction effort. Streamlined proposal,
consensus process Bush compared the current development of the design for Pennsylvania Avenue with Pierre L’Enfant’s plan, thanking Van Valkenburgh for “staying true” to the architect’s vision of a “Grand Avenue.” That project, conceived by L’Enfant in 1791, also took many years to implement, the first lady noted, but its subsequent development has reflected the development of a government and a nation. “Progress made on the avenue reflects the growth of industry, economy, and democracy.” “Pennsylvania Avenue has been a national disgrace for the past eight years, and it is the most complex urban planning problem I have seen in my 40 years of professional practice,” said Richard Friedman, NCPC Security Task Force chair. “It took enormous dedication and consultation among some extremely diverse constituencies to build consensus, and I am pleased that America’s Main Street will once again be worthy of this great nation. Copyright 2003 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page |
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