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