Well, a groundswell is building to reopen Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. Three senators, the D.C. delegate to Congress, the D.C. mayor and the City Council, the Greater Washington Board of Trade and several citizens associations have called for President Clinton to reverse his decision to close the street for security reasons.
That decision has caused gridlock on all the streets around the White House.
The Washington Post editorial board, on May 22, wrote: "Since federal authorities unilaterally took the step to hastily seal off one of Washington's major arteries, the rest of the city and its millions of visitors have paid dearly. Traffic patterns have been severely disrupted, tourism and commerce have been hit in the pocketbook, businesses are rethinking their downtown locations, and residents have seen the White House -- the nation's symbol of openness -- converted into a fortress. The president should reverse his decision."
Sens. Rod Grams (R-Minn.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Charles S. Robb (D-Va.) are signing up senators to ask the president to do just that.
The Treasury Department, which is responsible for the president's security, says it will continue to keep Pennsylvania Avenue closed. That's consistent. Those officials didn't talk to anyone before they confiscated the street -- with the president's blessing -- and they're not interested in talking to anyone now about whether to restore America's "Main Street."
Instead the National Park Service has come up with a plan to spend as much as $40 million in taxpayer funds to close two more streets (Madison Place and Jackson Place) and convert grounds of the White House, the Treasury, the Old Executive Office Building, Lafayette Square, Blair House and the buildings on Jackson and Madison Place into a huge park, or "public square," or "center of town."
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), a House member with no voting privileges, said she would try to block funding of the Park Service plan. The avenue's closing has left the city "dysfunctional and disfigured," Norton said. "Pennsylvania Avenue is not a park. It is the major downtown east-west artery in the nation's capital." Bless her.
According to my interviews and mail, anyone driving in the vicinity of the White House has added 10 to 15 minutes to his/her commute -- each way.
President Clinton wanted the road closed right after the Oklahoma City bombing to protect against truck bombings. Those of us who want Pennsylvania Avenue reopened have suggested a number of alternatives, including two bulletproof glass fences, structural changes and limiting traffic to cars only. Why not put up pedestrian overpasses at 15th and 17th streets and Pennsylvania Avenue that would be too low for trucks?
Dr. Gridlock suggested before the barricades went up that if the president was uncomfortable in the White House, he should relocate to Camp David, where he would be safer. Then extend the White House hours for the public, commute 10 to 15 minutes by helicopter to the White House as needed, close the White House and Pennsylvania Avenue in front of it periodically for state dinners, but otherwise leave things alone. Far-fetched, but look at what's happening now.
Stubbornness has set in, and the opposition will grow. In case he needs it, Dr. Gridlock offers the president a script to get out of this:
PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE: "A year ago, following the tragic bombing at Oklahoma City, the Secret Service recommended that we strengthen security at the White House, including closing a few segments of Pennsylvania Avenue. I reluctantly agreed.
"My decision was based on desires to provide increased protection not only for my family but for all the people living and working here, and to preserve the White House for future generations.
"In the year since we took that step, a number of alternative suggestions have emerged that I believe will provide the necessary security without closing three blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue.
"This is our `Main Street,' and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is America's most famous address. So today I'm pleased to announce that after some further security adjustments, Pennsylvania Avenue will be reopened.
Thank you."
Now, here are some responses to Dr. Gridlock's May 2 column on this subject:
`This Is Mind-Boggling'
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
It is really bizarre that the president jogs around half-naked through the streets of Washington, apparently feeling secure, but needs security barricades around the White House, thereby inconveniencing thousands of commuters.
I'm sure that "advisers" have reasons for the fortifications. In my opinion, there are none.
And now they want to spend $40 million on a park? We certainly don't need another park. This is mind-boggling.
HELENE McLANE
Bethesda
The Congested `I'
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I have always supported the Democrats and this poor, beleaguered city. But of all things Clinton has done or tried to do, I don't think I'll ever forgive him for closing Pennsylvania Avenue.
I work at 1620 I Street, and can tell you that it's rare when "I" is NOT at the gridlock stage.
Thanks to you and The Post for keeping this subject alive.
GREER GILKA
Arlington
H Street Timing Is Off
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Now that Pennsylvania Avenue is closed, the intersection of H Street and New York Avenue is horribly congested. The timing of lights favors New York Avenue, although most of the traffic is on H Street. This urgently needs study. Please help.
ALAN FERN
Chevy Chase
Try Alternative Transportation
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
What's wrong with this picture? In the history of this country, we have had four presidents shot and killed. One president took a bullet only 15 years ago. Machine guns are discharged into the White House. Truck bombs can destroy city blocks. Yet to you and your "cars first" cohorts, the only issue is whether you can drive your cars anywhere and everywhere.
In your pollution paean May 2, you took five cheap shots at the current president -- blaming him for D.C.'s traffic woes. GET REAL.
All that sniveling about I Street and the backups -- oh, boohoo. Take Metro or ride a bicycle.
BOB STRATTON
Rockville
Too Slow? Go Metro
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I was amused the other day by your column and published letters on the impact of closing Pennsylvania Avenue. When are people going to understand that Metro offers a more than reasonable alternative to such traffic chaos!
JOEL JACKNOW
Dunn Loring
Don't Blame the President
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I was shocked by your disrespectful and inaccurate column about the Secret Service's decision to close Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.
First, your inference that the president selfishly "confiscated" Pennsylvania Avenue to protect his own hide is totally incorrect. It is common knowledge in town that Clinton drives the Secret Service crazy because he is so fearless when it comes to dealing with the public.
In addition, one person who spends a lot of time in the White House is his teenage daughter. You can hardly blame a father for wanting to protect his daughter.
According to the White House, the Secret Service had to convince the president to go ahead with the plan to shut down blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue. When the decision was finally made, Clinton said he reluctantly agreed to ensure that the American people and future presidents would always have the White House. That seems reasonable to me.
The fact of the matter is that traffic in the city stinks and it's going to get worse. Of course the city and federal governments should work to improve the situation.
Inferring that the president of the United States made an uninformed or selfish decision isn't going to help anyone.
DOUG BEIZER
Washington
The president made the decision, not the Secret Service. Source: the Secret Service. It's inconceivable that Pennsylvania Avenue could be permanently closed without the approval of the president.
Reopen America's `Main Street'
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Congratulations for airing the traffic troubles caused by the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue. As your comments and the letters showed, the repercussions from the White House barricades spread over a wide downtown area.
The best solution to the daily congestion on I Street is to urge President Clinton to order our "Main Street" reopened, as well as E Street westbound behind the White House.
There are better ways to protect the president than by inconveniencing the city and its visitors, such as architect Arthur Cotton Moore's suggested bulletproof glass walls just behind the fence in front of the White House.
Several civic organizations have asked the president to reopen those streets, including the Federation of Civic Associations, the Palisades Citizens Association and the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia. The Palisades group asked Sen. [Robert J.] Dole [R-Kan.] to make it a national campaign issue.
If enough people and organizations urge the two candidates for president to restore our major avenue, then it will be done. And hopefully, no later than the passage of the presidential inaugural parade next January.
HAROLD GRAY
Washington
Thanks for all your thoughts. The National Park Service invites your responses to its $40 million "town center" proposal. You can get a copy of the plan by stopping by the White House visitors center at the Commerce Department, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. (E Street entrance).
To receive a copy of the plan or to mail comments, which must be received by June 28, write to the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Pennsylvania Avenue at the White House, 1100 Ohio Dr. SW, Washington, D.C. 20242-5000. No return postage is necessary.