Media Contacts: Jack Pfeiffer (EOM) at (202) 727-1751, John Lisle (DDOT) at (202) 671-2004

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today celebrated the start of the fountain and civic plaza that are part of the Columbia Heights Public Realm Project (CHPRP) currently ongoing in Ward 1. Joined by Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Gabe Klein, Mayor Fenty provided details about the highly anticipated public plaza.

“It is really a pleasure to be here at the start of this centric piece to a project of this magnitude and importance,” said Mayor Fenty. “The neighborhood has endured a long stretch of revitalization along this corridor which has already begun to come alive with community and business activity. This public plaza will serve as a central gathering place for residents, visitors and business owners alike.”

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is working closely with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) as part of DCCAH’s Creates Public Arts Program. DDOT is conducting work on the plaza itself and providing installation of necessary infrastructure while the DCCAH coordinated design and development of the fountain.

The fountain was designed as a “cultural kaleidoscope” incorporating elements of the community. Various elements of the CHPRP will draw off the civic plaza and also be reflected in other areas of the new streetscape. These elements include special community designed medallions, concrete materials and elements that are part of the fountain design. The fountain has been designed to be flush with the ground allowing it to be turned on or off depending on the community needs.

Construction on the $1.6M plaza and fountain project is scheduled for completion in fall 2009.

The CHPRP project team includes DDOT, DCCAH, council and staff, the ANCs and other local leaders all of which work together through a Community Relations Team. The job of the Community Relations Team is to work to anticipate and resolve problems, and to keep the community informed about the construction.

Road construction on phase I of the project began on Park Road in December 2008. This phase includes Park Road from Mt. Pleasant Street to 14th Street and the Civic Plaza with Fountain. Phase II is scheduled to include 14th Street from Newton Street to Columbia Road and Irving Street from 16th Street to 14th Street. The road construction work on Park Road and 14th Street is being done to make intersection, signal and safety improvements, reconstruct the roadway, install pedestrian amenities, and make upgrades to the sidewalks, curbs and gutters, waterline and drainage, landscaping and street lighting.