WBJ discusses Temporary Urbanism with Harriet Tregoning

In today's Washington Business Journal staff reporter Jonathan O'Connell discusses "temporary urbanism" with Office of Planing Director Harriet Tregoning as a means to to bring dead construction zones and storefronts alive with active, temporary uses.

Examples of temporary urbanism around the city include the Washington Trapeze School and Kastles Tennis at the City Center site, the yearly Artomatic event and and outdoor event area coined the Bullpen outside Nationals Park.

O'Connell points out that developers are often luke warm to the idea of temporary uses as they are concerned that when the time for development does arrive the public will object to displacement of the temporary amenity.

I support the concept of temporary urbanism. When the stop gap for every stalled development is a parking lot it stifles livability. The district has made strides in this regard under Tregoning's tenure but other cities show that much more is possible. Portland Oregon not only has pioneered the modern streetcar line but also prominently features temporary urbanism in the form of a vibrant downtown food cart scene. The perimeter of most downtown surface parking lots in Portland are lined with food carts (over 400!) that offer diverse and cheap dining options including Bosnian pitas, Venezuelan Arepas, Deep Fried Double Dogs, Poutine, Vegan options, and much, much more... This leads blocks with parking lots to become hubs of activity rather than barren wastelands.

A 555 Mass resident send in a tip that a successful venture in Austin called the South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery would be a great idea for temporary urbanism. It merges the foodcart concept of Portland with picnic tables and kid friendly attractions.

Just two months left in the trapeze season

Two months ago we highlighted the arrival of the Washington Trapeze School at City Center (9th & H). With just two months left in the "semester" I was wondering who has tried getting their high flying acrobat on?


Yelp does presently have 3 reviews for the local incarnation of the Trapeze School - each of which grades the class as a five star experience. Juliana from Chevy Chase writes: "I feel like a limp noodle, my hands are blistered and my arms are all scratched up, but damn if that wasn't one of the most fun evenings I've had in a while."

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that these classes are cheaper than you might think - roughly ~$50 for two hours.

Photo credit: Oddlittlebird

Street Soccer USA Cup

This weekend Kastles Stadium at City Center DC is hosting the Street Soccer USA Cup. Mayor Fenty Tournament games accompanied by DJ music will go on throughout the weekend with the final game scheduled for 3pm on Sunday. Admission to the event is free.


From the SSUSA website:

Street Soccer USA offers the most excluded a chance to get in the game. SSUSA is national league of street soccer teams, which grows the game in urban areas while helping the homeless and impoverished move off the street and back into education and jobs. As official partner of the Homeless World Cup, SSUSA competes in the 56 nation international tournament each year. We also host the Street Soccer USA Cup, the nation's premier sport for social change event. Visit www.streetsoccerusablog.com. Get in the game yourself by playing with us and investing in the lives of our players.

Trapeze School at Old Convention Center site

The Washington Trapeze School has relocated from Baltimore to the Old Convention Center site (aka City Center) at 9th & H. The Washingtonpost reports the school will run for four months.


The trapeze school's website gives credit to a Sex in the City episode for generating unprecedented buzz for their school.

Photo credit: Oddlittlebird

Kastles press conference at City Center parking lot

Walking to Metro Center this morning I saw a TV Crew, two mascots and presumably some officials from both the city government and Washington Kastles in the City Center parking lot.


I didn't have time to really seek out the best angle. Topsin, the big Tennis ball, is clearly visible in the image however the mascot in the Knight outfit is obstructed.