I'm hearing scuttlebutt that today is the day that staffers at the being-dismantled
Anacostia Waterfront Corporation are finding out whether they and their jobs are being migrated into the office of the
Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. So tread lightly around 1100 New Jersey this afternoon, because the mood may not be all sunshine and roses.
As always, the question on many peoples' minds is, how will this transfer affect AWC projects in Near Southeast? And
Canal Park always seems to be at the top of that list. While the commotion has now subsided over whether
zoning changes had suddenly paved the way for ballpark parking on the Canal Park site, residents and activists are starting to be concerned that the city may not be moving with enough speed to get the school buses off the site and get the park built by its announced completion date of Spring 2008. I
wrote a few weeks ago about testimony to the city council that negotiations to get the buses removed were continuing, but that no deal had been struck.
But now word is out that the city is working to create a new citywide school bus parking lot in Prince George's County, and there's rumor and speculation that the Canal Park buses would not be moved until that lot has been created. An open question is whether pressure from local leaders could persuade the city to find a temporary location for the Canal Park buses while waiting for the PG County site to come together, so that the park could move forward. The park is in
ANC 6D's territory, and of course city councilman's
Tommy Wells ward.
To make Canal Park fans feel slightly better, here's the just-posted minutes from the
June 21 Commission on Fine Arts meeting, which, if you scroll way way way down, include descriptions of the
public art for the park by sculptor
David Hess that the CFA reviewed and approved. (Alas, no images.)
