One thing is certain when the National Park Service unveils its preference today on the future of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House: Reopening the stretch of road to traffic is not an option.
Concrete barricades have blocked off the road that passes between the White House's expansive, lush lawn and Lafayette Park for just over a year.
The closing came about six weeks after the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, with President Clinton and the Secret Service deciding it would be in safety's best interest to keep out vehicles.
The Park Service is expected to show five plans for the space that were culled from more than 5,000 ideas generated by the public, architects and designers from across the country.
The plans will be on display June 3 to 5 for public comment before a final decision is made.
Although officials were keeping mum ahead of time about details of the plans, it's clear that
the road will be converted into some kind of park space.
"Don't expect any dramatic proposal. There's nothing like a tunnel," said David Barna spokesman for the Park Service. "It's how you would work in that space to connect Lafayette Park and Presidents Park"
Mr. Barna said the plans differed from a landscape perspective, but all included some kind of roadway that could be opened for the inaugural parade and other ceremonial events.
"It's hard for me to tell the difference, just looking at the plans. I guess if you're a landscaper, you'd know ' he said.
For tourists snapping pictures in front of the iron fence at the White House and roaming freely in the empty street, a park seemed like a wonderful addition to the area if the street needed to remain closed for safety reasons.
"I hate to give up public access to the White House, but if it means safety for the president
and his family, then it's worth it," said Pam Bailey of Southgate, Mich., who was taking time out from an industrial hygiene conference to see the sights.
"A park would look a heck of a lot better than this," she said motioning to the fading yellow center lines on the pavement and at the unsightly barricades.
But any plans to fill up the space are in conflict with the wishes of the District, at least one member of Congress and transportation groups to reopen the road to allow city traffic to return to normal.
City officials and Sen. Rodney Grams, Minnesota Republican say the Secret Service overstepped its bounds by closing the road without consulting the city.
"They just came in and imposed their will," Mr. Grams said. "This doesn't represent freedom.... This represents something like the Kremlin or something behind the Iron Curtain. This doesn't represent the freedom that Pennsylvania Avenue symbolizes."
Last week, the senator introduced a resolution calling for the immediate reopening of the avenue, which he said was closed as "a knee-jerk reaction to fear."
Mayor Marion Barry al. voiced support for reopen) Pennsylvania Avenue. In a letter to Mr. Grams, the mayor said "the effects on traffic patter and drivers' convenience, business income, parking revenue, and most important pub] access to the White House, ha all been significant."
D.C. Council Chairman David Clarke and council member Frank Smith also want the street reopened to traffic and sent resolution to Congress last year. They also sent letters of support to Congress for Mr. Grams' resolution.
Other groups that want to see the street return to normal include the Potomac chapter of the American Automobile Association, the Washington Cab Association, the American Bus Association, the Greater Washington Board of Trade the Washington Historical Society, the Washington ton Restaurant and Beverage Association, and Frontiers of Freedom.
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