Letter
Dear Mr. Thomas:
In its meeting of 15 September, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the concept submission for a playground proposed to be located on the southwest lawn panel of the Main Treasury Building at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, as a destination for visitors from off–site day–care centers. While supportive of providing playgrounds for children in federal day–care facilities, the Commission did not approve the proposal, finding it inappropriate for the proposed location.
Without exception, the Commission members characterized the proposal as an extremely odd juxtaposition of a children's playground with the formal landscape setting of a National Historic Landmark, the high–security zone surrounding the White House, and a site with chemically contaminated soil. They suggested instead that the Department of the Treasury work to find a more appropriate location for outdoor play facilities to support day–care centers in the vicinity.
As always, the Commission staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
James A. Thomas, Jr.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Departmental Offices Operations
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220
cc: David Levy, National Capital Planning Commission
David Maloney, D.C. Historic Preservation Office