Barracks Row Case Study

While poking around the net, I came across this case study on the Barracks Row Main Street/8th Street SE Streetscape Redesign Project from the Context Sensitive Solutions website (DC DDOT is a participant in this program).

500 block 8th Street SE, before street and sidewalk reconstruction.

500 block, 8th Street SE, immediately after reconstruction. Note the pretty bricks and slate.

Gum and stains on 8th Street SE, Washington, DC, 18 months after installation.

This is why I argue that the Great Streets program needs substantive "clean and safe" investments to complement the infrastructure improvement. Otherwise the investments won't be catalytic. And just think, 8th Street SE benefits from the Capitol Hill BID and daily clean-up services. Think how bad the street would be without such service, which fortuitously kicked in as the street and sidewalk reconstruction was finished.

Capitol Hill BID employees lining up to walk in the Barracks Row 4th of July Parade, 2005.