A walkway too far

On Dec. 18, 2004, D.C. imploded the old convention center. While planners decide what to do with the 10-acre site, the city has turned it into a surface-area parking lot, which opened in September 2005. (My preference for the temporary site was a SoftLawn park, but I got voted down.)

Meanwhile, a large section is still fenced off. It looks as though they're building a walkway through the parking lot in order to connect 10th Street for pedestrians.

As someone who lives on 10th Street, I appreciate the concern. But why are they wasting their time on this project? We don't want a fancy-pants walkway that ideally would be torn down in a couple years once development plans are in place. We want to see work begin on the long-term plans, whatever they turn out to be.

(As for the walkway, just open it already. Have I had to walk around the fenced-off area this whole time because they are waiting for a special unveiling ceremony?)

Comments

Anonymous said…
looks like a very nice walkway -- convenient for muggers to set up chaise longues while they wait. this huge empty lot in the very center of the city is a total disgrace.
March 27, 2006
Josh said…
If only someone could have foreseen that the old conventional center would be demolished! Then maybe someone -- the Mayor, perhaps -- could planned for it. Maybe the Mayor could have something called the Office of Planning, with a website like "planning.dc.gov." That would be such a good idea.
March 27, 2006
Anonymous said…
I work in the AAAS building, a block over from this atrocity, and walk past it every day. I agree: why waste so much time building a parking lot and a fancy walkway when its going to be demolished later to make something new?

It makes me nervous, like maybe they will just leave it a parking lot. Sooooo ugly. I wish they would hurry up and build something just to hide my view of the hideous Akridge building.

The building they are doing across NY Ave is shaping up to be nice though!
April 11, 2006
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