28 March 2008

Dear Mr. Albert:

In its meeting of 20 March, the Commission of Fine Arts was pleased to hear the information presentation on the design development for the old convention center site.

The Commission members expressed appreciation for the effort to reintroduce a vibrant urban character on this site; they reaffirmed their support for the strategy to reestablish the historic street pattern and to articulate the new structures to mitigate what could otherwise appear as a mega-development. The Commission complimented the design team for the refined quality of the architecture and for addressing several concerns raised in previous reviews concerning the architectural functionality and details of the buildings. In addition, the Commission members acknowledged the development team's support and encouragement that has fostered such a high level of design.

The Commission appreciates the opportunity to comment on the design of this significant redevelopment project and looks forward to the review of the final landscape design for the public park in Reservation #174. As always, the staff is available to assist you and the design team in coordinating future submissions.

Sincerely,

Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary

Neil O. Albert, Deputy Mayor
Government of the District of Columbia
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 317
Washington, DC 20004

cc: Howard Riker, Hines Interests
Harriet Tregoning, D.C. Office of Planning
Armstrong Yakubu, Foster and Partners