DC Metrocentric

We have been big proponents of improving our cities streetscape on this site, so we were happy to see the recent press release from the DC Commission on the Arts to bring more art to Columbia Heights. The release got us thinking about what other areas around town are in need of more public art and streetscape improvements…

We think just about every neighborhood could use more benches and bike racks, but big pieces of installation art need to be more targeted and specific to the site. There have been some great new pieces installed recently, some (pictured) better than others, but we would like to see even more in other neighborhoods.

What do you think?

[Photo: Sean Smith via Fourth and Eye]

Perhaps the most iconic pieces of architecture in our city are the monuments honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They serve as touchpoints and central landmarks to our city and are corner stones of our unique skyline.

Interestingly according to the federal government, the holiday observed on the third Monday in February is officially Washington’s Birthday, but we’re going to celebrate Lincoln too given the proximity of birthdays and how far our country has come. Happy Presidents Day everyone!

[Photo: Dyoshida]

The plans to develop the old Gales School have now officially been delayed thanks to a petition by the ACLU. The issue at hand was that apparently the way the solicitation was written to turn the empty building into a homeless shelter was geared towards a Christian provider, specifically the Central Union Mission who has repeatedly expressed interest.

With the deadline now extended to mid March, hopefully there will be a little more competition, though it is difficult to expect many enterprising developers would want to incur the the cost of the refurbishment of a historic building into a homeless shelter, but we will keep you posted.

[Photo: Ronnie R]

After years of planning (and a ceremonial ground breaking back in 2006) the real work has fittingly now begun on the MLK Jr Memorial down by the tidal basin. Over the last two weeks, the real demo and cleaning of the site has been done and we should start to see the heavy machinery in February.

The design of the Memorial (pictured) was awarded to ROMA Design Group after a huge competition with over 800 entries. The interdisciplinary firm of architects, landscape architects and planners is based in San Francisco and has done numerous memorials around the country. 

Christmas lights aren’t the only things hanging off of the Eisenhower Old Executive Office building this holidays season, scaffolding has also been a fixture lately on the historic and ornate French Second Empire style building right next to the White House.

Originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments between 1871 and 1888 the building is getting both an interior update and an exterior restoration of the granite, slate and cast iron details. The buildings style has had a lot of detractors over the years, but it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 ensuring its preservation.

Exterior work started earlier this year and while the Christmas lights will certainly come down before the scaffolding, the work should be finished up in 2010 before next Christmas.

[Photo: M.V. Jantzen]

Big news out of the DC Council on new Green Building Standards… revisions are apparently in the works for the Green Building Act which was originally passed back in 2006. The WBJ is reporting that the major changes include updates for the new LEED v3.0 standards for energy usage as well as fixing some of the real confusion over the requirements the surround performance bonds.

The biggest impact would mean that that starting Jan. 1, 2012, all new construction projects in D.C. will be required to report energy usage to the U.S. Green Building Council to ensure LEED certification. That’s a big deal!

[Photo: Eridony]

It’s time once again to take a look into the DCMetrocentric Mailbag! We received this heart breaking plea from a new home owner that has been having some major issues with DC housing bureaucracy.

Reader Charles writes in with a story of the saga he and his wife have been through over their new house and the neglected property that adjoins them.

“In March of 2008 we bought a house… in an excellent neighborhood, Mount Pleasant. We were aware of a run-down residence right next door, connected to our home, but our inspector said that nothing was affecting our soon-to-be “dream home.” Upon moving-in, we started smelling marijuana coming through the walls/floors of our house—seeping through from [the house next door]. Secondly, we noticed that [the house] was beginning to accumulate garbage in the backyard. Third, after looking closer… we noticed significant structural issues. We called the police and they refused to file a report. We then wrote/called DCRA and they promised to deal with the issue next-door. DCRA failed to truly enforce the laws;

Over the last 15 months we have written and conversed with DCRA representatives, all the way up-to the Director, Linda Argo. The only saving-grace in this fight is a guy named Jim Graham and his staff. Councilmember Graham has been working with us to get the attention of DCRA. Unfortunately, even with promises made by Nicholas Majett, Deputy Director, DCRA who represents Linda Argo the Director, neither Councilmember Graham nor myself have made any movement with DCRA. “

These issues have become so frustrating that the couple has even created a website to document their trials and tribulations. Unfortunately this seems to be an all to common story throughout the District. Does anyone have any advice for these new homeowners in how to deal with the unfortunate situation they find themselves in?

Just in time for winter, the new Silver Spring Civic Center is putting the finishing touches on the foundation for its new outdoor ice skating rink. Unfortunately the area kids will only be able stare at the rink this winter, because the rink and the rest of the complex isn’t scheduled to be complete till next summer! Anyone thinking what we are thinking for how to make use of a water hose and a cold day?

[Photo: thecourtyard]

What to do with 62 acres of land is something that is on the mind of District officials as they finalize plans to take over control of the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center, which is slated to close in 2011 and move to its new digs in Maryland (pictured). During the next 12 months the District will produce a reuse plan for the southern half of the campus, which is right along Georgia Avenue.

While it is still very early in the process, it is likely the final plans will call for mixed-use development along the Georgia Avenue corridor. If you are interested in following the progress, the development now has its own website walterreedlra.dc.gov and we know many people will be following this closely.

[Rendering: HKS Architects]

Big plans are in the works for the new Rosedale Community Center in Northeast. Mayor Fenty and members of his Administration broke ground on the new project which will include a much need rec space to be able to support expanded programming for Ward Six residents including a gym, game room, senior room, and new playing fields.

The new community center will be built as a Green building to meet LEED Silver certification by the Green Building Council.

[Photos: DC DPR]

The DC Housing Authority will loose lose its Director Michael Kelly at the end of the month after almost 10 years of service.

Kelly had some significant accomplishments during his years in the position but recently the position has come under increased preasure from the Mayors office as Fenty has pushed for more control.

No word on a replacement, we will be sure to keep you posted when we hear.

We are starting to get excited because the DOE sponsored, once every two years, solar house competition is coming back to the National Mall. The competition between Universities to build sustainable and energy efficient homes is taking place this year from October 9th-18th.

There were some amazing entries two years ago and we are really looking forward to seeing what the teams dream up this year! Some teams are actually already in town preparing including Virginia Tech who has set up outside the National Building Museum (pictured) where you can stop by and check their work out.

Once the competition is underway you will be able to take tours of the houses from schools like VTech, MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Maryland. We will be sure to bring you all the coverage once the competition kicks off next month.

Have you been having trouble figuring out how the new Coast Guard Headquarters in SE is going to look? We have too, but this new rendering by Perkins+Will really helps see how the complex is going to fit within the historic St Elizabeth’s Campus. Huge right?

The project broke ground this week. [Rendering: Perkins+Will]

Hope you are out there enjoying the long weekend, taking in the sights and the wonderful architecture our city has on display everyday. It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating Labor Day 2008 and this picture perfectly captures how much of a blur time can be as it flies by. Happy Labor Day from everyone at DCMetrocentric!

[Photo: NJ Dodge]

The first phase of the massive redevelopment of St Elizabeths in Anacostia is slated to start in the new year and we now have an idea of what it’s going to look like. Architecture firm HOK’s design (pictured) has been selected, and it already has the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission. What do you think?

[Renderings: HOK Concept for NCPC]