PENNSYLVANlA AVENUE,
at the
WHITE HOUSE
ALTERNATlVE A -- LEAST CHANGE
Public Use: Enlarged entry areas would be defined by bollards;
site design elements would identify the area. Public needs,
accommodations for First Amendment activities, and educational
opportunities would continue at existing levels.
Relationship to the City: Visual access and site identification
would be minimally improved. Additional information for Metro
riders would be provided.
Historic pmservation: The statues and bronze urns would remain
in place in Lafayette Park. The walks, fountains, and ca. 1913
lodge with restrooms would be repaired.
Safety: Paving would be repaired to fill in holes and to
provide a more even surface for pedestrians. Bollards, combined
with gatehouses and vehicle entrances, would surround the area.
Overall Design: A consistent design and materials palette would
be used for new site furnishings, including signs and lighting.
New bollards of the same design as those now located along E
Street would replace the temporary concrete barriers.
Minor improvements would be made to Pennsylvania Avenue,
appearance. Paving accent bands inset into the existing asphalt
would be used to improve the appearance of Pennsylvania Avenue
and intersertlon crosswalks. Curbs would be maintained to define
the avenue. Lafayette Park would retain its existing design; the
fountains and restrooms in the park would be repaired.
ALTERNATIVE B - LIMITED CHANGE
Public Use: The appearance of Pennsylvania Avenue would be
improved by defining entry areas with fencing; site design
elements would signify the importance of this area. Educational
opportunities would be expanded. Historical and inspirational in
paving would be incorporated in the design. Public needs would be
better met with new, larger restrooms. First Amendment activities
would continue at existing levels, but infrastructure would be
provided to reduce damage to the site.
Relationship to the City: A President's Park neighborhood
identity would be established by carrying site design elements
for one block into the surrounding area. Additional information
and directions for Metro riders would be provided.
Historic Preservation: Statues and walk configurations in
Lafayette Park, which are contributing elements of the Lafayette
Square National Historic Landmark District, would be retained.
The bronze urns near Pennsylvania Avenue would be relocated
within the park. The ca. 1913 lodge with restrooms and the ca.
1969 fountains would be removed.
Safety: Paving would be replaced, providing a solid, even surface
for pedestrians. A low metal fence, combined with gatehouses and
vehicle barriers, would be provided.
Overall Design: Paving materials, directional and informational
signs, lighting, site furnishings (fencing, bollards, drinking
fountains, seating, chess tables, trash receptacles, information
areas, etc.) would be consistent and complementary. A low metal
fence based on the design of the White House fence would replace
the temporary concrete barriers.
Pennsylvania Avenue would be repaved to connect the separate and
distinct areas of Lafayette Park and the White House. Paving
patterns in brick and stone would define areas for Pedesterians
and official motorcades, Planting beds would be incorporated into
the avenue to soften its appearance. Lafayette Park would be
moderately rehabilitated; its basic design would be retained, but
the 1960s fountains would be removed and the restrooms relocated.
ALTERNATlVE C MODERATE CHANGE
Public Use: The entryways to President's Park along H Street and
sidewalks would be enlarged to emphasize a sense of welcome.
Information kiosks would be provided at major entryways.
Additional educational educational opportunities would be
provided. Historical and inspirational inscriptions in paving
would be incorporated in the design. Public needs would be
better met with new restrooms and additional facilities, sucj as
picnic and eating areas. First Amendment activities would
continue at the existing levels, but infrastructure would be
provided to reduce damage to the site.
Relationship to the City: A Presidents Park neighborhood identity
would be emphnsized by carrying site design elements two blocks
into the surrounding area. Additional information and directions
for Metro riders would be provided.
Historic Preservation: The centrally located Jackson statue in
Lafayette Park would be moved to the west to provide a clear
vista to the White House from 16th Street, and a new statue would
be moved to the north side of the park The ca. 1913 lodge with
restrooms and the ca. 1969 fountains would be removed.
Safety: Paving would be replaced, providing a solid, even
surface for pedestrians. Bollards, combined with gatehouses and
vehicle entrances, would surround the site.
Overall Design: paving materials, directional and informational
signs, lighting, site furnishings (fencing, bollards, drinking
fountains, seating, chess tables, trash receptacles, information
areas, etc.) would be consistent throughout the site. New
bollards of the same design as those now located along E Street,
along with symbolic gateposts echoing the design of the White
House gateposts, would replace the temporary concrete barriers.
Pennsylvania Avenue would be a pedestrian street, and consistent
materials and design elements would be used in all areas of
president's Pard Streets surrounding President's Park would be
specially paved. Layfayette Park would be extensively
rehabilitated to make it more functional for use by large numbers
of visitors.
ALTERNATlVE D MOST CHANGE
Public Use: H Street would become the major ceremonial entrance.
Vehicle and pedestrian entryways would be identified by historic
statues and fencing, and they would emphasize both a welcoming
atmosphere and the symbolic importance of the White House.
Information kiosks would be provided at major entryways.
Additional educational opportunities would beprovided.
Historical and inspirational inscriptions in paving would be
incorporated in the design. New restrooms and covered seating in
the Tresury Building courtyard would better meet public needs.
First Amendment activities would be moved nearer the White House,
but associated noise would be masked by fountains; infrastructure
would be provided to reduce damage onthe site.
Relationship to the City: A President's Park neighborhood
identity would be emphasized by carrying site design elements two
blocks into the surrounding area. Additional information and
directions for Metro riders would be provided.
Historic Preservation: Statues in Lafayette Park would remain in
place, but a fountain would be added to the base of the Jackson
statue. The bronze urns near Pennsylvania Avenue would be
relocated within the park. Walks would be redesigned. The ca.
1913 lodge with restrooms and the ca. 1969 fountains would be
removed.
Safety: Paving materials for all streets and walks, directional
and informational signs, lighting, site furnishings (fencing,
bollards, drinking fountains, seating, chess tables, trash
receptacles, information areas, etc.) would be consistent
throughout the site. Perimeter streets could also be paved. A
metal fence based on the design of the White House fence would
replace the temporary concrete barriers.
Pennsylvania Avenue, Lafayette Park, and the north grounds of the
White House would be redesigned as an integrated space to provide
a new ceremonial/vehicular entrance to the White House.
Pennsylvania Avenue would be a focal point in front of the White
House, and together with Lafayette Park would be designed to
create a feeling of a town square. Consistent materials and
elements would be used in all areas of President's Park.
Pennsylvania Ave. Closure || Peace Park