Arts Orgs Trying to 'Turn On' Dupont Underground
Yesterday we told you about FLUX, the umbrella group of arts organizations proposing to turn Cook Elementary into a multi-use art space. During our discussion with Warehouse's Paul Ruppert, we also got some more information about a separate push to convert the unused space underneath Dupont Circle. Ruppert, along with Adam Griffiths from the Washington Project for the Arts, and Julian Hunt, an architect with Hunt Laudi Studio, have formed an "ad hoc committee" as part of the new Artist Coalition for Dupont Underground.
ACDU's mission is to fill a hole they feel is missing for art spaces in the city.
"It's a central location and a large space that fits a lot of converging interests," Hunt explains.
The venue would be used for experimental artists and curators to hold shows they may not otherwise find space for, for "mid-size" traveling exhibitions that can't find a home in a big museum or our tiny fine art galleries, as well as a variety of other creative endeavors: fashion shows, video screenings, architectural events, and more.
This underground space was originally built for the streetcar initiative, which ended in 1962. The area is made of two tunnels that run parallel to each other, with a platform in the middle. ACDU is trying to acquire the west tunnel, which runs approximately north to R Street and south to N Street, along with the platform space, and amounts to 15,000 square feet. Boarded up entrances to the tunnels run all around Dupont Circle, near the CVS, PNC bank, and the Krispy Kreme, to name a few. ACDU's first order of business would be to spruce up these entrances to entice visitors.
Image of artists rendering of Dupont Underground, courtesy the ACDU
The tunnels have spent the last 40+ years mostly unused, with a short life spans as a food court, almost as a Washington Sports Club franchise, along with many, many other failed initiatives, such as Jim Graham's proposal to house strip clubs there.
Hunt has had his eye on the space since he came to Washington in 1996, finally acquiring a temporary building permit to throw an event there a couple years go, with the sole purpose of drawing attention to this huge unused space -- to "turn the lights on" -- but was unable to follow through because of unresolved problems with the WSC lease. Some litigation over the issue followed and seems to be largely resolved, with the priority of ACDU now turning to getting the city to pay attention to their plan and give them a lease.
Their plan doesn't include a major overhaul of the space. Their plans include getting the space rewired for electricity, patching the floors, and installing an HVAC system for the humidity. Other than that, the space, which can hold up to 3000 people, stays as is. As Griffiths cheekily noted, "We're artists, this is what we do. We can activate any space, just give us a chance and we'll make it usable."
What they need to do now is convince the city, starting with the Deputy Mayor for
Planning and Economic Development's office. The ACDU recently sent a letter to Neil Albert, hoping that he will agree this unused space could be a major central gathering place for almost any project.
We propose to manage an event/exhibition space for the arts and architectural community to support and consolidate the “creative cluster” economy around Dupont Circle. Part of a larger effort to leverage the creative energies of the community, we believe a relatively minor investment to condition the space would render an immediate and game-changing benefit to the entire city.They also noted that the arts space doesn't hinder future plans to bring back the streetcar system. ACDU comes armed with the backing of just about every organization in Dupont, from the galleries to the ANC and business coalitions, and their low-budget business plan. If approved, the ACDU would be run by a non-profit organization and hopes to rely on funds from private organizations, rather than the city.
Hunt concisely states ACDU's hopes in creating this new art venue, "The space was originally designed to move a lot of people, and that's the function it should continue to have."