Park(ing) at Sherman and Park

Public Spaces

Park(ing) at Sherman and Park

by David Alpert • June 10, 2008 12:07 pm

New Columbia Heights reports on the recent community meeting about parks in the neighborhood. In the center of the block from Lamont to Park and Sherman to 11th is a large open area, currently "used as an illegal dumping and parking area." Councilmember Graham is working on getting the city to buy the property and forgive back taxes to transfer it to Washington Parks & People.

Image from Google Maps.

From the minutes:

According to Ian Tyndal of WP&P, Steve Coleman and he will manage this process and the plan is to create paid parking which will fund upkeep of the remainder of the space, which will be community green space TBD.

Is a paid lot the best way to raise revenue for a park? Wouldn't this park primarily serve neighborhood uses rather than people driving in from far away? Besides, there's already an enormous garage two blocks west with a whole level that's never been used. What makes us think more parking here will raise much money?

With scarce public land, maybe the city should simply be paying for this park. Or what about a few "alley" dwelling units? Those would have the added advantage of creating "eyes on the street" and more residents for the park and the local businesses. What do you think is the best use of this land?

6 comments

Tags: Columbia Heights, DC, Jim Graham, parking, parks

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David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington. He has had a lifelong interest in great cities and great communities. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.

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I thought about this when I first read about that open space. Whether parking is a good idea or not, I'm sure it will be purchased. At 14th and Euclid, where I live, a parking pace off the street recently sold for about $40,000. People pay at least $100/mo. for a spot. I can't see why they wouldn't pay for it at Sherman and Park, except it may be a little easier to get on street parking there.

by Eric on Jun 10, 2008 12:24 pm

"Councilmember Graham is working on getting the city to buy the property and forgive back taxes to transfer it to Washington Parks & People."

Finally, a great idea!

Parks & People is a great organization. Do you know them?

Are they effectively privatizing a public parking place? Hmmmm....this is a tough one, I'll admit. I agree - the city should just pay for the park.

by Cups on Jun 10, 2008 3:05 pm

I suppose it would be to much to ask to build the park and put up a sign that says "Parking at DC USA, two blocks west"

Seems to me that parking demand is only going to decrease as gas prices get higher.

by David Murphy on Jun 10, 2008 5:55 pm

Street parking in this area is easy. I don't see how off-street parking is needed. I have a family member 2 blocks from this site (at 11th and Otis NW) who I visit at all times/days-of-the week with my car (dogs and kids in tow). In 9 years I have not parked more than half a block from the front door.

I would like to see a community garden in this site, along with a park/recreation area. There once were community gardens in the area along Monroe between 14th and 12th. Townhouses, all with off street parking, are on that site now. The loss of the gardens was significant for many area residents. Creating a spot for a small garden is justified historically and there is a precedent already in the neighborhood. There is a community garden "island" surrounded by alleys between Spring and Queen and 13th and 10th.

Again, street parking is easy in the area. More Gardens, Fewer Parking Lots.

by Bianchi on Jun 11, 2008 12:32 pm

Bianchi: Maybe parking is that much easier up there. Where we are at, it fills up and it pretty tough to get, especially later at night. Doesn't matter to me though, since I don't have a car.

Your community garden idea is a great idea. I wonder if anyone has discussed that with anyone....

by Eric on Jun 11, 2008 2:24 pm

The extant neighborhood garden in an "alley island" is between Quincy, KS, 10th and Randolph NW.

"We are all one tractor-trailer away from starvation". I don't remember where I read that.

by Bianchi on Jun 11, 2008 5:14 pm