Status of Anacostia Gateway Mural

Last Thursday evening, workers began to dismantle the new Anacostia Gateway mural at the intersection of Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.  The mural and the lot are currently owned by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development which acquired the property last year.  During a maintenance check it was determined that the long-time vacant building on the property was collapsing  and was in imminent danger of bursting through the mural and into the sidewalk and street.  To ensure the community's safety, DHCD took immediate steps to remove the danger.  Unfortunately, in order for construction crews to access the lot the mural had to be taken down.  According to DHCD they are making efforts to remove the mural in pieces (see below) in hopes that it can be restored or reused at some point in the future.  In the meantime, the remains of the collapsing building will be demolished, the debris removed, and the hole backfilled.

It was important to DHCD to ensure the safety and well-being of their neighbors so they had to move quickly to secure the site. DHCD understands and appreciates the community's concern for the mural which many had come to enjoy. No word on what the long-term plans will be for the property but it is nice to imagine the possibilities.

Including pictures of the property taken Friday, June 15, 2011.

Like A Good Neighbor: During a DHCD safety check maintenance crews observed
cracks in the walls which led to an investigation of the integrity of the site.

The new DHCD offices overlook the historic intersection

View from Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE

Construction crews work to secure the site.

View from Good Hope Rd SE

Maintenance crews work carefully to dismantle the mural

Big Job: the construction works to dismantle the mural, secure the site, demolish
the remaining building, and remove debris.

Shortly after this photo was taken a fence was erected.