April 19, 2006
On Making the District a Better Place
Over the last few weeks we've been highlighting some of the proposals coming into the Solving D.C. Problems website, an initiative launched by the D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice earlier this month to encourage residents to identify local problems and propose solutions. Today we focus on two ways to make the District a more entertaining city. The first proposes that the city invest in its own climbing wall:
The city owns the historic MacMillan reservoir off North Capitol Street and Michigan Avenue. The spot has been fenced off and abandoned for many years. It's a beautiful spot and close to the center of the city, plus easily reachable from any corner of the District. Recently, plans were announced to develop the site with the typical mix of housing, etc. Instead, we should construct an eight-story climbing wall, with varying degrees of difficulty so that everyone from young children to advanced experts could tackle the wall and enjoy the challenge. The project would be run by the Parks and Recreation Department and participants would be required to follow strict safety rules, sign waivers, etc. The site would be unique in our area. Climbers would have an outstanding view back towards the Capitol and the center city, as well as east toward Catholic University, etc. People would be encouraged to climb, which is a great way to stay healthy. And the novelty of the giant wall, and the ability to view the Capitol, would encourge even more people to come to the city.The second advocates turning RFK into a dog racing park:
Right now both the Nats and DC United are planning to leave RFK Stadium in the next few years. That will leave his landmark empty and unused. The probable outcome is that it will be knocked down. Instead, I suggest building and hosting greyhound racing once a week inside the stadium. A track could be built pretty easily and without a lot of cost. It would allow use to continue to use the stadium in some fashion and enjoy a sport that is a lot of fun to watch. Unlike other greyhound parks, RFK could be turned into a kid friendly avenue where people who come to the park are educated about pets and their care, etc. Since there is nothing like this anywhere nearby, the dogs could be sponsored - potentially raising money for other government programs.Though unlikely, both are relatively creative ideas. We'd personally like to see a giant waterpark on the site of the old Convention Center.
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Greyhound racing? From my experience dog racing doesn't attract the most moral characters or many animal lovers that are great influences for kids. I understand the idea of the "kid friendly avenue", but how many parents are going to even think of taking their kids to a dog track of any kind even if you label it "kid friendly"? If I was a parent I would be afraid someone would also try and teach my kid about throwing dice and chicken fights while we were there.
Dog racing?! Like the neighborhood around RFK isn't crappy enough, let's throw in a place where low income people can come and gamble away all their money.
Actually it's the McMillan *Sand Filtration Site* you are talking about. The McMillan reservoir is alive and well, and I think we'd miss it if it turned into a climbing wall.
A climbing wall on the sand filtration site would be cool. Unfortunately NCRC has recently taken over the property, and will attempt to pack it with high-density development and retail. Given how difficult it is to attract quality retail to DC, I wouldn't be surprised to see it looking more like Rhode Island Center in a few years. But at least Bloomingdale will have another spot for getting nails done.
Gambling and lawsuits stemming from people breaking their kneck when they fall off the wall. Great ideas. There's only so much that strict safety rules and signed waivers can accomplish. There's a reason why public climbing walls haven't been popping up all over the country. And has anyone been to a greyhound park lately? The idea of this turning into some pet education facility is ludicrous. A dog racing park will turn a historic sports landmark in D.C. into a blight. Plus, I'm sure the citizens will love ideas that bring benefits to the economically privileged, who will be the majority of the people who would take advantage of the climbing wall, but disadvantage the impoverished, who will be the majority who frequent a dog racing park.
Gambling and lawsuits stemming from people breaking their kneck when they fall off the wall. Great ideas. There's only so much that strict safety rules and signed waivers can accomplish. There's a reason why public climbing walls haven't been popping up all over the country. And has anyone been to a greyhound park lately? The idea of this turning into some pet education facility is ludicrous. A dog racing park will turn a historic sports landmark in D.C. into a blight. Plus, I'm sure the citizens will love ideas that bring benefits to the economically privileged, who will be the majority of the people who would take advantage of the climbing wall, but disadvantage the impoverished, who will be the majority who frequent a dog racing park.
If racing greyhounds seems seedy, why don't they race Golden Retrievers instead? And instead of a rabbit on the track they could use an old tennis ball.
Dog racing? Was three-card monte not do-able?
I'd be for the climbing wall, but even with a waiver the threat of lawsuits and the resulting insurance premiums would be too high (note to commenter zach- climbing walls are actually very safe if your spotter isn't a moron). Then again if they could get a public skatepark built (and a shoddy one at that- repave it without gravel please) it may be feasable.
I'm pretty sure that Greyhound racing is just about one of the worst sports for animals. And since that location (per l'Enfant's vision) was to be the port of Washington, I would hope that it would be the center piece for a mixed-used community with access to the waterfront for the community. Sort of a Washington Harbor for the rest of us.
As for climbing walls, although I'm not a climber, I've seen this done in Chattanooga, where the pylon of the Walnut Street bridge (which itself is the longest bridge turned into a park in the country) used as a climbing wall, but I believe that instead of the City of Chattanooga running it, they have an outfitters shop take on the liability issues. It's part of a Tennessee river park area that includes a carousel, a splash park and other public uses. But the area is surrounded by mountains and so climbing is part of the culture there. We're hardly in the foothills here in the District.
2,000-3,000 "retired" racing Greyhounds are euthanized every year (at least, that is the official number - the real number is probably much higher). Does DC really want to be contributing to that? Probably not, and I am sure that there would be a vehement response to any attempts to put in a new racetrack.
"RFK could be turned into a kid friendly avenue where people who come to the park are educated about pets and their care, etc."
Yeah, because those dogs are so well cared for, especially once they stop winning.
I agree with the previous poster that a dog track would bring a less-than-savory element to a neighborhood that is starting to see an improvement. I would hate to see more generic condos at the site. And why does everything have to be a revenue-generating venture? Couldn't they just convert the RFK site to public green space if/when the stadium is demolished?
Or, perhaps it could become satelite parking for all of the Churches in the District. Folks could park at RFK and hop on the metro to Shaw/Logan for services. :)
You can put me down for a 'no' on greyhound racing at RFK, as well. However, what plans, if any, does DC have for the RFK stadium complex? Once the Nats and DC United vacate the premises, it's going to be just a big useless cereal bowl. It seems like it would be a prime location for medium/high density mixed-use development: Riverfront, Metro access, direct access to 295. That's a lot of acreage just sitting there for an unused facility and its parking.
One issue that may complicate any sort of redevelopment plans at the RFK site is that the land there belongs to the federal government.
I propose that RFK be turned into the National Tractor Pull and Monster Truck Center.
I agree with Ron above. Tractor pulls and monster truck rallies. Just like back home. Sunday Sunday SUNDAY! Watch the titans of steel destroy small cars and take sick jumps!
Anyways...
Greyhound racing is cruel. Plan and simple. It's good to hear ideas, just that one is horrible. And do we really need another waterfront area where the affluent can gather and spend $20 each drink and discuss their investment options? Doubtful. Or more condos? Or more retail/commercial space?
Surely we can do better.
I think GhettoBurbs is onto something with that giant cereal bowl idea.
RFK should be turned into an enormous "Medieval Times" restaurant. Just think about it. There would be jousting, sword play, and serving wenches; all out in the open air and conveniently located. During the day, the local serfdom could sell their homemade crafts and wares with the permission of their local lord. Entertainment and commerce, it can't miss.
RFK should be turned into an enormous "Medieval Times" restaurant. Just think about it. There would be jousting, sword play, and serving wenches; all out in the open air and conveniently located. During the day, the local serfdom could sell their homemade crafts and wares with the permission of their local lord. Entertainment and commerce, it can't miss.
Dog racing at RFK. Hmm.. lets also throw in a Casino off the Waterfront, one of those drive-thru churchs, and a huge parking lot to encourage visits from suburban drivers. Oh, and perhaps a shooting range while we're at it. I'm sure Sharon Ambrose would just love all of that! *eyes rolling*