To anyone who has walked around the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station more than to go to work, you know what we’re talking about. The area’s sidwalks — when available — are hidden in massive bulding shadows and streets suddenly end only to pick up again a block away.
And the great irony of it all is that this neighborhood that lacks a sense of “place” is associated with the Metro station named after D.C.’s original planner, Pierre Charles L’Enfant.
The National Capital Planning Commission and the District Office of Planning are setting about to change that with the joint Southwest Ecodistrict Initiative. You can read more on it here, but essentially the initiative seeks to create a showcase of innovative technologies and sustainable urban development by creating a neighborhood of cultural attractions and public spaces, offices, residences and amenities.
The initiative will be holding public meetings to get your input on what would make this neighborhood work.
The next one is scheduled for Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the USDA Headquarters, Whitten Building Interior Courtyard, 1400 Independence Ave., SW. NCPC advises using the Jefferson Drive entrance facing the National Mall.
