Water features, a light bridge, a lookout over the Soapstone Valley, and lots of green. A proposed community hub at Connecticut Avenue and Windom Place brings it all together.
Architect Travis Price and his team took the ideas that the community churned out during charettes in March and July, and with funding from ANC 3F, he incorporated them into conceptual designs he presented at last night’s ANC 3F meeting (the video is archived here and Price’s presentation begins around 23 minutes in).
“You’ll actually start to see this as your hub, your center, in Van Ness,” said Price.
Within this two-block area spanning Connecticut Avenue are what Price referred to as hidden jewels, such as the parklet and Soapstone Valley trailhead just behind the WAMU headquarters at 4401 Connecticut, and UDC’s outdoor amphitheater tucked away behind the Potbelly and tennis courts on the other side of the avenue.
Standing by Potbelly and looking east, this is what we see today.
And this is what we could see in the future.
Price’s design adds a green filigreed copper pavilion with a water feature. Price refers to it as the “ultimate selfie center” that draws the eye to “the highest-definition television there is:” A Soapstone Valley overlook.
This is a bird’s eye view of the pavilion looking west.
And here’s what it would look like inside at night.
This is the west side of Windom Place at the UDC Performing Arts Theater.
A water feature here, near the UDC amphitheater would entice children to play and adults to linger.
Uniting both sides of Windom Place are copper columns, greened by vines. These columns appear to “bridge” the avenue, an effect that would be even more prominent when lit up at night.
“The light would go from green to blue and soothe the senses,” said Price. “It’s a magic wonderland, it will kind of stop you.”
It would be more than a wonderland. In creating the feeling of a pedestrian plaza across Connecticut, Price said pedestrians would feel more welcome. And he said the Van Ness Vision Committee would be meeting with the District Department of Transportation later this week about how to do that.
Another step is to take the ideas directly to developers, government officials, the area’s property and business owners, and other interested parties. The Vision Committee is doing just that tonight at a meet and greet at UDC, where Price will give another presentation.
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Mary Beth Ray says
This is such an exciting turning point for our community. Many thanks to Travis Price, Marlene Berlin, Ryan Hand, and all the hardworking members of the Vision Committee. Still lots of hard work to be done, and all are welcomed. Stay tuned!
Girard Griggs says
Comments:
I’ve been through this wringer before, many times. Suggestions: Get good people with planning experience on your committee. There is much potential in re-defining this small area. Great idea with promise! Perhaps more themes and more conceptual drawings are in order to get a healthy start and to garner community backing.
Best of luck,
Would love to sit in on one of your meetings some day.
Girard (past city planning committee volunteer in the fastest growing city in the fastest growing county in the U.S.)
John Saunders says
There is a large quantity of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, including tractor trailer and trash truck movement to Giant Foods, across this intersection. This can’t be changed. What is needed is an effort to maintain green spaces and eliminate the killing of trees along Connecticut Avenue. Beautiful mature trees were taken down when Park Connecticut was built and also when UDC began building the new Student Center. There are locations at the intersection of Windom and Connecticut where additional trees can be planted, although those spaces appear to be on commercially owned v. city property. As Price has illustrated a “trellis” effect on both sides perhaps with an arch spanning Connecticut looks promising although the clearance height will need to be significant. Greenery hanging from this would be a nice touch. An effect with garden baskets hanging from light poles such as that in the Vancouver BC gaslight district would be in tune with Forest Hills’ Heritage.