Extending the Legacy with the Grand Arc

Washington, D.C.'s future Northern Mall!

see more at: http://wwwtripwithinthebeltway.blogspot.com/2015/01/grand-arc.html

Here's an illustration from U.S. National Capital Planning Commission's 1997 publication "Extending the Legacy: Planning America's Capital for the 21st Century" that I modified with my concept for a northern mall via a reconstructed, under grounded, multi-model Metropolitan Branch RR corridor- the Grand Arc

Grand Arc Mall Tunnel at Franklin Street and Rhode Island Avenue

US NCPC model, looking south,
with aborted South Capitol Mall at top,
with ghost outline of the Grand Arc Mall extending northward from Union Station

I was told that the Extending the Legacy program WAS going to do something with this Union Station RR corridor, to depress and cover/deck it, but that it was pulled by those with significant political pull behind the scenes.

Perhaps the power elite don't like the shape of a giant comet poised at the headpiece of their literal stick figure of the U.S. Capitol Building?

The vista towards the Capitol
between Franklin Street and Rhode Island Avenue

 

http://wwwtripwithinthebeltway.blogspot.com/2015/01/grand-arc.html

http://wwwtripwithinthebeltway.blogspot.com/2008/02/grand-arc-mall-headpiece-union-station.html

http://wwwtripwithinthebeltway.blogspot.com/2008/02/monumental-and-mundane.html