Sold down the river by the National Capitol Planning Commission and Commission on Fine Arts

According to our Friends at the National Planning Commission and the US Commission on Fine Arts, nothing in SW  Washington is important enough to save from their great vision.On 2 April 2009 they adopted a plan that will, among other things, make the SW Waterfront the means to "transform federal precincts surrounding the National Mall into vibrant destinations and to improve the physical and visual connections between the city,the National Mall,and the waterfront while achieving the highest levels of livability and sustainability incentral Washington" all at the expense of the SW Waterfront.

The plan is to "transform the Southwest Rectangle into a distinguished and pedestrian friendly workplace, a cultural hub,and an exciting and welcoming visitor destination." I kind of think that already discribes the SW neighborhood that I live in. I can walk by the water, watch the boats, see and talk with my neighbors and people from all over the world.  We have recently reopened Arena Stage and several thousand workers come to Fort McNair and city offices on 4th St SW each day.  According to the plan they would like to add tens of thousands of workers, thousands of residents and unknown numbers of visitors that would arrive on enhanced streets and bridges to form "multiple linkages" that would span the channel from P and N streets"that improve access" to Potomac Park.

This plan is being used as the basis for the PUD filed on 10 Feb 2011by PN Hoffman et all for their plan to develope the SW Waterfront with their wall of 11 and 12 story buildings and the elimination of Water Street,even though NCPC has just begun the first of their 10 planned studies on the Monumental Core Framework Plan.  The Washington Canal and Channel Study was deemed to be number 4 in priority.

I think this raises enough questions that the closing of Water Street should be put on hold until the Washington Canal and Channel Study has been completed. This plan's first objective is to celebrate the city as a symbol.  "Washington's iconic urban form and skyline are recognized around the world as symbols of American democracy."  If Water Street is closed and 10 tall buildings are built there, our skyline will be unrecognizable fom the water, from the land, or from the air.