Dupont Circle Park Gets Green Light, Will Be Finished by End of 2014

• September 9, 2014

by Lark Turner

A rendering of the park via NCPC.

Two traffic islands above the Dupont Circle tunnel will be transformed into a public park by the end of the year — and a similar space on the opposite side of the Circle may soon get a similar treatment, if the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) gets its way.

The NCPC approved the small park on the southeast side of the Circle (map) last week, joining a chorus of federal and city agencies that have been involved in the project, which is intended to be a showcase for turning dead space into a usable public area. At the park, kinetic pavers, which generate electricity when pedestrians step on them, will power lights that will illuminate granite benches placed on the site.

Until recently most of the space was covered with bike storage lockers. Image via Google Maps.

The park project is made up of two islands, but one is larger and will include 12 benches, five bike racks and some landscaping. NCPC’s decision says the project is being paid for by DC and the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District will maintain the site.

Leona Agouridis, the director of the Golden Triangle BID, told UrbanTurf that she didn’t believe any more agency approvals were needed for the project to move forward.

“It’s exciting,” Agouridis said. “We’re happy everybody is embracing it. We think it’s a great project and we want to see it move ahead.”

Construction on the project is due to start in October and should be finished by the end of the year, according to NCPC, which also recommended completing a project that would mirror it on the northeast side of Dupont Circle.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/pocket_park_at_dupont_circle_will_be_finished_by_end_of_2014/8951