Councilmember Barry's opposition to a soccer stadium on the Waterfront

Is the right thing to do. (See Eric Weiss' Post article, "Barry Opposes Soccer Stadium Plan: Waterfront Site Could Be Put to Better Use, Councilman Says.") Is a lightly used facility such as this the best use of the Waterfront?

A couple days ago I ran into one of the civilian officials of the Navy Yard (we were on an adhoc Wayfinding Signage committee a few years ago) and fortunately, despite all the security issues, the Navy is still committed to providing access to the Anacostia Waterfront in front of their installation, although as he points out, having access along the old Southeast Federal Center is key.

The cover story of yesterday's weekend section in the Richmond Times-Dispatch is about recreation along the James River running through Richmond. The Potomac and Anacostia Rivers can be incredible resources to the community, even though it will probably take most of our lifetimes to bring it about. Canal Walk in Richmond is really cool. (I know that the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative is developing a similar "river walk streetscape plan," that Michael Baker Corporation is working on.)

Current conditions, Anacostia "Riverwalk."

Canal Walk, Richmond. Photo from Ralph Appelbaum Associates.

Interpretative signage and ground-inlaid medallions are integrated into the Canal Walk. Photo from Ralph Appelbaum Associates.