The Best Planned Reimagining of DC's Underpasses

• December 21st 2022

by UrbanTurf Staff

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It's that time of year again when UrbanTurf reflects on some of the DC area's most interesting real estate topics from the last 12 months. This week, we refresh your memory on some of the best, most intriguing and most peculiar things we came across throughout 2022. Enjoy.

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A plan to reimagine a number of underutilized public spaces in DC's Capitol Riverfront neighborhood could result in some of the best new outdoor activity spaces in the city.

Unveiled this summer by the Capitol Riverfront BID, The Underpass and Virginia Avenue Public Space Vision Plan proposes a variety of changes for the underpasses along 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 7th Street, 8th Street and New Jersey Avenue adjacent to I-695. 

While projects in the proposal are largely comprised of aesthetic changes and art installations, such as a cultural storytelling mural along the 4th Street underpass, others are more ambitious. The plan for the 2nd Street underpass calls for a basketball court, pickleball courts with stadium seating, a skate park, a stage for community events and an inviting entryway into Garfield Park. 

Other aspects in the proposal include three-dimensional windmill-powered sculptures, solar panels, LED light art, bike paths, a bicycle repair station, playground equipment and an opportunity for urban farming. 

To complete all of the projects over the next decade, the BID is seeking $5 million from public and private stakeholders. The BID's Ted Jutras told UrbanTurf this summer that they will identify one or two major projects that will be pursued in 2023.

"The goal is to do one or two projects each year," Jutras said. UrbanTurf will keep an eye on these projects as they move forward. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the_best_planned_reimagining_of_dcs_underpasses/20443.