Closure of Jack’s Boathouse delayed by public support
Jack’s Boathouse, an iconic canoe rental location and hangout on the waterfront in Georgetown, will avoid closure, at least for the immediate future. A week ago, Paul Simkin, who owns the boathouse, was informed by the National Park Service that his lease would be terminated at the end of January. The boathouse is located on a tract of land just west of Key Bridge that is mostly owned by the Park Service. An outpouring of support from friends and patrons [...]
Flooding in DC could be the worst in 16 years
Low-lying monuments like the MLK Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial are expected to take on water later on Tuesday when the Potomac reaches historic flood levels. The river may exceed previous record flood levels from melting snow in 1996. Flooding as a result of Hurricane Sandy will affect most of the east coast.
The floods could be the worst for the DC region in 16 years. The National Park Service is monitoring low areas along the Potomac as the storm progresses.
House hearing for Eisenhower Memorial design
Susan Eisenhower is expected to testify before a House subcommittee on national parks to object designs for her grandfather’s memorial in Washington, D.C. Officials from the National Park Service and Eisenhower Memorial Commission are also set to testify during the hearing on Tuesday, along with interested groups. Frank Gehry, a prominent architect, was hired by the memorial commission to design the memorial near the National Mall.
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughter says that the memorial design focuses too much on his humble [...]
Change to MLK Memorial statue
On Friday, the National Park Service made an announcement to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader. Critics such as the famous poet, Maya Angelou, says the shortened phrase made Dr. King sound like an “arrogant twit” and it didn’t reflect his words accurately. The inscription reads “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.”
It is reported that any new granite added [...]
$7.5 million in repairs for Washington Monument
Cracks caused by last summer’s East Coast earthquake have prompted billionaire, David Rubenstein, to donate $7.5 million to repair the top of the Washington Monument. The repairs are expected to begin by the end of August and will take about a year to complete. This will likely keep the monument closed from the public for two years.
Rubenstein’s gift is anticipated for announcement on Thursday morning by the National Park Service and nonprofit Trust for the National Mall. It is [...]
Tourmobile out; Norton proposes green transportation for the Mall
As the Tourmobile, a D.C. sightseeing service, concluded its rounds last week, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton looked forward at greener alternatives for the District. Norton expressed her hope to the National Park Service that the new National Mall transportation plan will allow for a variety of fluel-efficient options. Norton urged that greener transportation options were more welcoming to park users.
Norton’s proposal would be consistent with a federal policy that encourages alternative means of transportation, as well as reducing traffic congestion [...]
Waterfront park opens in Georgetown
Georgetown Waterfront Park has been unveiled to the public. The park has been decades in planning, and began construction in 2006. Now complete, it features a huge sprinkler-like fountain, and giant steps leading to the mouth of the Potomac. The new location offers a welcome respite from the city and traffic.
The park is part of a larger effort by the National Park Service to revitalize waterfront areas of the District.