From a press release:
“The American Planning Association (APA) today announced that Adams Morgan has earned the designation as one of the 10 Great Neighborhoods in America, and Pennsylvania Avenue has earned the designation as one of the 10 Great Streets for 2014.
APA’s Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods and Great Public Spaces feature unique and authentic characteristics that have evolved from years of thoughtful and deliberate planning by residents, community leaders and planners.
“Recognizing these special places highlights the role planning plays in adding value to communities,” said William Anderson, FAICP, president of APA. “Planners, working with others, help build better communities in a variety of settings, from urban to rural; the result – better neighborhoods, cities, and regions. We applaud these efforts and congratulate this year’s designees.”
Since Great Places in America was launched in 2007, APA has designated 230 neighborhoods, streets and public spaces. Places are announced annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.
New this year, APA is seeking input from the public for the “31st Great Place Designee.” Interested citizens can nominate their Great Place by commenting on APA’s Facebook page or via Twitter using hashtag #mygreatplace. The “31st Great Place Designee” will be announced on Friday, October 31, 2014.
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE in WASHINGTON, D.C.
Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., is often called “America’s Main Street” due to its symbolic role in the country’s development. Since the first inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in 1805 to celebrate Thomas Jefferson’s second inauguration, Pennsylvania Avenue has been the site of many historic events, including presidential inaugurations, state funerals, protests, marches and celebrations. Pennsylvania Avenue has also served as the backdrop for the fights for workers’ rights, women’s suffrage and civil rights. The original L’Enfant Plan in 1791 called for Pennsylvania Avenue to serve as a one-mile “grand avenue” to connect the “Congress House” to the “Presidential Palace.” While the visual connection between the White House and the Capitol was interrupted by the construction of the Treasury Building, the view of the Capitol has been preserved and enhanced by the buildings on either side, which are significantly set back from the street. Today, Pennsylvania Avenue contains a mix of civic spaces, public buildings, monuments, parks, local government, residences, hotels, theaters and museums. To learn more click here.
ADAMS MORGAN in WASHINGTON, D.C.
Adams Morgan is a vibrant neighborhood in northwest Washington, D.C., known for its historic row houses, lively nightlife and cultural diversity. The international shops, restaurants, annual festivals, weekly farmers markets and nightlife draw visitors from all over the District and its suburbs, particularly on weekends. The neighborhood is incredibly pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly, particularly with the completion of the Streetscape Project in 2012. This 17-month, $6.8 million project upgraded public spaces and infrastructure, widened sidewalks for pedestrians, added shared bike lanes, planted 59 new trees, installed 71 new bike racks, installed new outdoor globe lighting, improved pedestrian crosswalks for safety and made other critical infrastructure improvements. Adams Morgan contains approximately 700 historic properties, and the D.C. Office of Planning’s Comprehensive Plan in 2006 reiterated the District’s commitment to protecting the neighborhood’s defining row house fabric and architectural character. To lean more click here.
In addition to Pennsylvania Avenue and Adams Morgan in Washington, DC being designated a Great Street and a Great Neighborhood respectively, the following nine other streets and nine other neighborhoods were also recognized: (more…)
