Canal Blocks Park, an urban open space stretching three blocks north of M and Second streets SE, likely will be done within five years, says Andrew Altman, director of the city's Office of Planning.
Two nearby riverside parks -- one at the foot of South Capitol Street and another at the terminus of New Jersey Avenue, about 10 minutes from the ballpark -- are on the books. When they will be built, however, is anybody's guess.
The area being proposed for a ballpark is dominated by warehouses, auto repair shops and asphalt plants interspersed with vacant lots.
(Lucian Perkins -- The Washington Post)
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The same might be said about the new bridge and a redesigned South Capitol Street. Both are desperately needed, yet both are costly, long-term projects. Good things can be contagious, however, and the arrival of a beautiful ballpark likely would hasten the coming of a bridge and street worthy of their prominent locations.
Probably the best thing about the site is that in many ways it complements the serious planning work already done by both the city and federal governments. In particular, a ballpark in this location would significantly support the city's Anacostia Waterfront Initiative.
"We see it as a bold, iconic move that symbolizes the dramatic change that's going to happen in this area," Altman says. "It'll be a catalyst for the whole South Capitol Street corridor and the redevelopment of the Near Southeast."
One negative of the ballpark proposal, however, is vagueness on the matter of parking. A site plan released by the city shows a couple of huge surface parking lots two blocks north of the stadium, between L and K streets. This is an improbable distance and, in addition, it contravenes the city's own plan for the Near Southeast.
What's more likely to happen is that cars will be parked in the blocks immediately to the north of the ballpark, between N and M streets. That, too, violates the city's well-laid plans. Simply put, surface parking lots and vibrant urban neighborhoods do not go together.
Short term, this is not a major issue. There will be plenty of vacant lots in the area for at least a few years. But in the long term, a parking structure will be necessary, and planners should provide for that.
Also, the city's site plan shows home plate facing southeast. This will provide fans with an excellent view of the Anacostia hills but closes off sight lines toward the Capitol dome. This is a mistake. A ballpark in Washington ought to take advantage of the city's most identifiable landmark.
To get a full view of the dome on this site, however, one would have to turn the ballpark 180 degrees, a no-no because a northwest orientation would allow the sun to get in a batter's eyes. A compromise turn of 90 degrees, however, would put the Capitol dome in play for fans along the right-field line, especially in the upper deck.
Most nights, that's where I'd sit.
