The long-awaited release of the final design for the improvements to the Eastern Market Metro Plaza is here. Come by the Hill Center on Saturday, June 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. or Monday, June 23 from 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. to learn more.
New to this project? Here’s an overview: Back in 2009, plans were presented by a design team led by architect Amy Weinstein of Esocoff & Associates and landscape architect Lisa Delplace of Oehme von Sweden to improve the plaza around the Metro station, as well as the the public space on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE between 7th and 9th Streets.
The goal has been to beautify a space that is central to the neighborhood, and there were many opinions about what should be included in such an area. Some argued that too many trees could mean darker paths that would increase crime. Some called for play areas while others questioned the good sense of encouraging kids to play next to a busy intersection. Needless to say, the community meetings were lively.
As development around the neighborhood has changed, and as a reaction to community objections on some of the proposed designs (namely to reroute Pennsylvania Avenue), the plans were altered last summer and the community was asked to submit input online.
The timeline for groundbreaking and completion is still a bit up in the air since permits and construction-related items need to be secured, but we hope to have more details in the coming months.