Chuck Brown Park bandshell (Rendering courtesy Marshall Moya Design)
District officials hope that by the end of the summer, a large section of Ward 5’s Langdon Park will be completely transformed into Chuck Brown Park, in memory of the “Godfather of Go-Go.”
Mayor Vince Gray signed into law this morning a bill officially creating the new park, and with it, presented the winning design for a new amphitheater, bandshell and landscape in commemoration of Brown, who died last year at age 75 following a bout with pneumonia.
The centerpiece of the new Chuck Brown Park, which the District’s Department of General Services estimates will cost $1 million to construct, is an elevated bandshell with seating for up to 900 spectators an a sloped, open-air amphitheater. The shell itself will be crafted from wood and steel paneling with a fuchsia interior.
Michael Marshall, who designed the winning proposal, says the revamped park will be a “living memorial” to Brown and will include several architectural features commemorating the late musician’s career. A gateway arch at one of the amphitheater’s entrances will be inscribed with a complete discography—in chronological order—of Brown’s work. Marshall says he is also in talks with the photographers who cataloged Brown’s performances over the years to sculpt the memorial with photomosaic tiling. The park will also be lined with magnolias and cherry trees. “Typical Washington, D.C. plants,” he says.”
“We really want to make it a great venue to continue the legacy of Chuck Brown and can be used in years forward for new budding musicians throughout the city,” Marshall says in an interview.
Marshall’s firm, Marshall Moya, was also responsible for the interior renovation of the Howard Theatre, which re-opened last year after being shuttered for 32 years. The Howard was also the site an impromptu block party the night Brown died and hosted the public viewing of his body.
By imbuing the memorial pavilion with scenes from Brown’s life, Marshall hopes it will serve as more than just an entertainment venue. His design also calls for the installation of permanent drum kits so that young visitors can try their hand at crafting those bouncy, clickety-clack go-go beats.
“Really give it a sense of place,” Marshall says. “Bring an intimacy once the pavilion and the amphtiteater is set so when you’re there people gather together so that that there’s a real sense of venue.”
For Marshall, designing Chuck Brown Park is also a project that brings a lot of personal and civic pride. He recalls going to Langdon Park’s playground as a kid, and attending elementary school just a few blocks away. And go-go, he adds, is an important part of his life: “For me, as an African-American here in Washington D.C. that’s just part of my culture. It was a great honor to get this project.”
A spokesman Department of General Services tells DCist that the city expects the park to be built and open by the middle of the summer, though it has yet to publish a request for proposals to construction contractors.
