Proposed Nationals Stadium Design

TThe square structure to the left in this picture is one of two parking garages that are located to the north of the stadium plot, along N Street. Architects drew the garages into the pictures because the stadium agreement with Major League Baseball calls for 1,250 spaces (about 250 for VIPs will be located below ground behind the home plate entrance of the stadium). City officials, however, say that they will work with developers to move the parking garages underground, freeing up the "air rights" for mixed-use developments, featuring retail, residential and office space. To the right of the parking garage, you can see a break and a gate that opens into the stadium along a promenade that architects envision like popular Eutaw Street at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. To the right of the gate, one can see a cantilevered ramp that hangs 15 feet out over the sidewalk on South Capitol Street. This is a ramp to get to the upper deck but also acts as a "viewing platform" from which fans can see the Capitol Dome to the North and the surrounding neighborhoods. There is another such platform on the other side of the stadium, affording views of the Anacostia River. This helps accomplish the second main goal of the architects -- tying the ballpark into the surrounding neighborhoods.

» Related Article: D.C. Releases Nationals Stadium Designs
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