Comments on Spingarn car barn design sounds good, but isn't public - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Richard Layman

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:20:12 EDT

I saw the DDOT document. I wasn't at the hearing but did see someone's notes on the comments of the HPRB members. They weren't favorable, with one exception.

The image of the building in the DDOT document has brick, but otherwise is pretty crappy and wouldn't pass muster I don't think.

THe challenge will be for DDOT to do something a lot better.

Just because they referenced extant car barns in the city doesn't seem to indicate that the designs actually influenced them, other than, as noted, the proposed use of brick.

Comment by crin

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:41:12 EDT

Oops. I mean all District of Columbia Government projects are reviewed by HPRB or preservation office.

Comment by crin

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:38:32 EDT

The drawings are public record and can probably be viewed at the Office of Planning by requesting to see the file. All District projects, regardless of landmark status, are reviewed by the HPRB or Office of Preservation for impact on potential historic resources. If Spingarn is landmarked then its reviewd by HPRB on that basis.

Comment by Lucre

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:18:53 EDT

I wonder what features will better relate to Langston Terrace. It would be cool to see a frieze in a similar style, or a sculptural element matching the bold deco style of the "Madonna with Children" there.

Comment by goldfish

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:58:30 EDT

I am not following this. I thought the question before the HPRB is whether the Spingarn campus is worthy of preservation. Seems to me that the answer to that question is pretty straightforward -- i.e., YES. So what does the design of the streetcar maintenance barn have to do with the historical importance of the (already existing) campus?

Comment by H Street LL

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:22:45 EDT

Build it!

Comment by Paul

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:59:13 EDT

Would not DDOT's application to the HPRB and any supporting documents be a matter of public record, and therefore be inspected at the Office of Planning?