Letter
Dear Mr. McGill:
During its meeting of 15 May, the Commission was pleased to receive a presentation of the proposed master plan for the Judiciary Square Historic District, bounded by 4th, 5th, and G Streets and Indiana Avenue. The Commission strongly encouraged further collaboration among all the organizations involved with the square to resolve ongoing questions and requested staff involvement in the process.
Although the specifics of the design for Judiciary Square will evolve as each project is presented, such as the configuration of security elements, there are concerns about some of the approaches suggested. The alignment of the new pavilions of the Law Enforcement Museum should provide for an ample linear north-south access .to the Courthouse through the central plaza from E Street. The Commission would encourage a simplification of the pathways in the square, reducing the diversions, to create a more appropriate formality and greater portions of open space. While the security perimeter requires further resolution in general, the allee of trees suggested may not be successful due to practical matters of underground utilities.
We look forward to the review of the project as the remaining issues are resolved. As always, the staff is available should you or the design team require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/
David M. Childs, FAlA
Chairman
Michael McGill
Special Assistant for Regional Coordination
U.S. General Services Administration 301 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20407-0001
cc: Michael A Kazan, Gruzen Samton, LLP
Cathy Daskalakis, Gruzen Samton, LLP
Devpal S. Duggal, Metropolitan Architects and Planners, Inc.