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Movie Theater, Marketplace, Dog Run: The Design Options for a Downtown DC Alley

  • June 19th 2019

by Nena Perry-Brown

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Prather's Alley, at center, runs interior to 4th and 5th Streets between Eye and K Streets NW (map). Click to enlarge.

Earlier this year, UrbanTurf reported on a nascent proposal to activate Prather's Alley, which went from a thriving commercial and residential corridor with horse stables over a century ago to a loading zone and pedestrian shortcut now. Following multiple community input sessions, here are the options architecture firm E/L Studio, planning consultancy urbanSEED and the Mount Vernon Triangle (MVT) Community Improvement District (CID) are putting forth.

Performance option. Click to enlarge.
  • A Performance/Lounge option would include a space for movie screenings toward the mouth of the alley, a mobile stage, bleacher seats and art projections.
Marketplace option. Click to enlarge.
  • A Marketplace option would extend market stalls from Eye Street into the alley where there will be additional stalls and seating, colorful lights, and art.
Pet recreation option. Click to enlarge.
  • A Pet Recreation option will have decorative lighting and art along the surface of one leg of the alley, with a dog run with step seating along the edge of another.

Each of the options will also incorporate traffic calming bumps at various points.

Last night, E/L Studio held an interactive public forum to give the community an opportunity to provide feedback; there is also a survey up until June 27th. Once a design option is selected, it will be presented to ANC 6E; the aforementioned team managing the alley placemaking effort will also seek grant funds for the project.

All images courtesy of E/L Studio. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the-redesign-options-for-prathers-alley/15562.

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