Pennsylvania Avenue - many suggestions for revitalizing it (Washington: hotel, theater)

[slowlane3]

Many interesting comments and suggestions for revitalizing downtown Pennsylvania Avenue

America's Main Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, is anything but - Greater Greater Washington

[tcave360]

With the presence of the Warner Theater and the Old Post Office Pavilion being transformed into a Trump hotel, it would be so nice if Pennsylvania Avenue could transformed into something of a theater district with shopping options similar to those offered on 5th Avenue or 57th Street in Manhattan coupled with locally-owned boutiques and sit down restaurants and sidewalk cafés. Pretty befitting for America's most iconic Main Street in my opinion. I wonder if they can beautify Freedom Plaza as well? At the end of the day though, I hope Pennsylvania Ave will establish its own distinct vibe in due time.

[gomason]

There's only so much that can be done when the street is lined with boring grey government buildings.

[jpdivola]

I get the authors point that Penn Ave could be a little more lively. But, in all honesty, I would put this pretty low down on the list of priorities for the city.

At the end of the day, Downtown DC has probably rivals (or exceeds) Midtown Manhattan as the largest ground level office footprint in the country. It's just not realistic to expect that to all be lively 24/7.

I would much rather DC focus on strengthening the Con Ave and F Street retail corridors and trying to help City Center get off the ground. These are much closer to residential bases and seem more likely to become active public spaces.