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60-594: Northbound U.S. Route 1 runs along 14th Street from the bridge to Constitution Avenue , where it turns east with US 50 . US 1 southbound previously used 15th Street NW due to the ban on left turns from westbound Constitution Avenue to 14th Street, but it now uses the Ninth Street Tunnel , five blocks to the east. 14th Street crosses the National Mall and runs near the White House and through

120-537: A traffic circle around the Lincoln Memorial to accommodate the bridge, B Street approach, parkway approach, and Ohio Drive SW approach. The AMBC was dissatisfied with Kendall's design, however, and ordered a major restudy of the B Street connection in December 1926. In May 1927, Kendall presented a revised design for the B Street approach to the Lincoln Memorial traffic circle. The NCPC, concerned with

180-497: A decade, it had become one of the preeminent dining destinations in the Greater Washington area. In nine months of 2012 and 2013, two dozen restaurants opened on 14th Street. From 2010 to 2012, almost every block of 14th between Rhode Island and Florida Avenues had a major residential redevelopment project scheduled, adding more than 1,200 housing units and 85,000 square feet (7,900 m) of retail. 14th Street has been

240-457: A difficult decision about how to link the two sections of Constitution Avenue NW between 3rd and 6th Streets NW remained. Pennsylvania Avenue NW cut diagonally northwest-to-southeast through these three city blocks, and it was not readily apparent how to handle the crossing so that Constitution Avenue traffic could turn right and left from either direction. The section of the roadway between 6th and 14th Streets NW also remained to be widened. But with

300-535: A line under 13th Street NW with just two stations. However, in 1970, the District of Columbia Council agreed to pay an additional $ 3 million to add a third station and reroute the Green Line under U Street, and then 14th Street NW. Instead of opening in 1976, the first Green Line stations, including U Street, opened in 1991. Trains originally serviced this station as Yellow Line trains until Green Line service

360-604: A major transit route ever since the Capital Traction Company streetcar line was built around the turn of the 20th century. The successor to that line is the Metrobus 14th Street Line—routes 52 & 54. There are two Metrorail stations on 14th Street (the U Street station is one block east, at 13th and U Streets NW and is considered the most convenient stop to visit the heart of 14th St between P and V Sts NW): The following Metrobus routes travel along

420-405: A portion of 14th Street became known primarily for its red-light district . Several strip clubs and massage parlors were concentrated roughly between New York Avenue and K Street , while prostitutes plied their trade around Logan Circle . However, rising land values eventually pushed out the adult businesses. The Source Theatre , founded by Bart Whiteman in 1977, was given some credit for

480-623: Is a rapid transit station on the Green Line of the Washington Metro in the U Street neighborhood of Washington, D.C. U Street station is located in northwest Washington and serves the U Street neighborhood; nearby attractions include the Lincoln Theatre , the historic restaurant Ben's Chili Bowl , and several nightclubs , including The Black Cat and the 9:30 Club . The station is approximately five blocks east of

540-478: Is bounded by Louisiana Avenue NW, Columbus Circle , 1st Street NE, and Constitution Avenue NE/NW, was home to several dilapidated office buildings and hotels. But beginning in 1910, Congress started to acquire entire city blocks in this area, with the intent of building an underground parking garage and creating a park between the Capitol and Washington Union Station , which opened in 1908. The question confronting

600-560: Is still Dupont Circle , the Washington Blade called 14th Street between U Street and Massachusetts Avenue ( Thomas Circle ) the best place to see and be seen. As of 2012, the center of gravity had shifted and Logan Circle was voted "DC's gay neighborhood." The opening of a Whole Foods Market at 14th and P Streets in 2000 was considered a turning point for the neighborhood. The 21st century brought rapid gentrification along 14th Street, especially south of Florida Avenue. Within

660-564: Is the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge ; thus, Constitution Avenue connects the city's ceremonial core with Interstate 66 . The eastern terminus is at 21st Street NE, just west of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium . Through traffic is diverted via North Carolina Avenue NE and C Street NE to the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge . Between Louisiana Avenue and Interstate 66, Constitution Avenue is part of

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720-505: The Department of Commerce , Department of Justice , Environmental Protection Agency , Federal Trade Commission , Internal Revenue Service , and National Archives . The Embassy of Canada and John Marshall Park are located further east of Federal Triangle. Once past Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse , George Gordon Meade Memorial , and Department of Labor headquarters, and Senate Park border

780-674: The Department of the Interior , and the Organization of American States . The Ellipse , part of the grounds of the President's Park (which includes the White House), also borders the north side of Constitution Avenue NW and forms the boundary between the western and eastern segments of this part of the street. To the east on the north side is Federal Triangle , which contains the headquarters of many federal agencies. These include

840-776: The Great Depression worsening, highway construction funds were minimal. Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as President of the United States in March 1933. Convinced that massive federal spending on public works was essential not only to "prime the pump" of the economy but also to cut unemployment, Roosevelt proposed passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act . The act contained $ 6 billion in public works spending, which included $ 400 million for road, bridge, and highway construction. With

900-525: The Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway . In the middle of the 20th century, 14th Street NW near the intersection of P Street was home to many car dealerships and was known as " auto row ". The Casino Royal at 14th and H Streets was one of the city's most popular nightclubs. The street was the location of race riots in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. In the 1970s and 1980s,

960-532: The National Highway System . Sections of Constitution Avenue are designated U.S. Route 1 , U.S. Route 50 , or both. Specifically, U.S. 50 runs along the road from its west end to 6th Street NW (eastbound) and 9th Street NW (westbound). U.S. 1 northbound uses the eastbound lanes of Constitution Avenue NW from 14th Street NW to 6th Street NW; southbound U.S. 1 used to run west from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW but now continues straight through

1020-697: The National Museum of African American History and Culture (under construction as of 2013), the National Museum of American History , the National Museum of Natural History , National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden , and the National Gallery of Art . Once past the National Gallery of Art, the ground of the United States Capitol borders the south side of the avenue. The north side of Constitution Avenue NE features

1080-544: The Russell , Dirksen , and Hart Senate office buildings. The roadway passes through the Capitol Hill and Kingman Park neighborhoods, and on its south side is bordered by the football stadium of Eastern High School between 17th and 19th Streets NE. 38°53′31″N 77°00′33″W  /  38.892072°N 77.009237°W  / 38.892072; -77.009237 U Street (WMATA station) U Street station

1140-635: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921, Harding began pushing Congress to move on constructing a new bridge. Congress approved funding for design work on June 12, 1922, and authorized construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge on February 24, 1925. The 1925 legislation specified that B Street NW be treated as a major approach to Arlington Memorial Bridge. Several design problems presented themselves. The first

1200-432: The 1860s. In 1871, Congress abolished the elected mayor and bicameral legislature of the District of Columbia, and established a territorial government . Territorial government only lasted until 1874, when Congress imposed an appointed three-member commission on the city. During this period, the D.C. Board of Public Works enclosed the canal and turned it into a sewer. B Street NW from 15th Street to Virginia Avenue NW

1260-688: The 9th Street Tunnel to I-395 . Many important buildings and attractions border Constitution Avenue NW. In the west are several independent federal agencies and institutes, as well as the headquarters of several significant associations. These buildings include the United States Institute of Peace Headquarters , the American Institute of Pharmacy , the National Academy of Sciences , the Federal Reserve ,

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1320-539: The AMBC and NCPC was whether B Street should continue east through this area to connect with B Street NE or end at Pennsylvania Avenue NW. To help plan and develop this area, on April 6, 1928, Congress enacted legislation establishing the Capitol Plaza Commission. On April 19, the Capitol Plaza Commission issued its first preliminary plan for Senate Park. This plan assumed B Street would extend through

1380-444: The AMBC budget to the city coffers for this construction. The city came up with another $ 82,100 to finance its portion of the costs. As part of the funding agreement, the city said it would build only a 72-foot (22 m) wide street between North Capitol Street and 1st Street NW, an 80-foot (24 m) wide street between 1st and 2nd Streets NW, and an 80-foot (24 m) wide street between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 6th Street NW. But

1440-644: The Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission (AMBC), whose purpose was to design and build a bridge somewhere in West Potomac Park that would link the city to Arlington National Cemetery . But Congress appropriated no money for the design or construction due to the onset of World War I. But after President Warren G. Harding was trapped in a three-hour traffic jam on the Highway Bridge while on his way to dedicate

1500-502: The District of Columbia was founded in 1790, the Potomac River was much wider than it currently is, and a major tidal estuary known as Tiber Creek flowed roughly from 6th Street NW to the shore of the river just south of the White House . In Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's original plan for the city in 1791, B Street NW began at 6th Street NW, and ended at the river's edge at 15th Street NW. Its eastern segment, which

1560-739: The NCPC and the Office of the Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury (which was overseeing the construction of the Federal Triangle office complex on the north side of B Street between 6th and 15th Streets NW). The NCPC agreed in February 1927 that B Street should extend to Pennsylvania Avenue NW and was studying whether to extend it through the proposed Senate Park. Architect William Mitchell Kendall proposed creating

1620-717: The Potomac River. It also said that the avenue should be no wider than 72 feet (22 m) from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 3rd Street NW. As the nature of the B Street project became apparent, there were calls to rename the street. In early 1930, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives to rename the road L'Enfant Avenue. City officials opposed the name, however, advocating instead for Lincoln or Washington Avenue. Representative Henry Allen Cooper of Wisconsin subsequently introduced legislation in June 1930 to rename

1680-550: The Potomac would completely alleviate all traffic issues within 50 years, he said. By September 1927, the NCPC's vision for B Street had expanded. The agency saw B Street not just as a gateway but as one of the city's great parade avenues, similar to Pennsylvania Avenue NW. B Street's renewal soon became caught up in the creation of Senate Park north of the United States Capitol building. This area, which today

1740-426: The act's passage moving forward swiftly, D.C. officials asked Congress on June 12 for the funds to finish widening Constitution Avenue NW. The act passed on June 13, 1933, and Roosevelt signed it into law on June 16. The Public Works Administration (PWA) was immediately established to disburse the funds appropriated by the act. The District of Columbia received a $ 1.9 million grant for road and bridge construction, and

1800-420: The area's revival. Whiteman stood outside the theater to escort people inside in order to make them feel safer. With the gentrification of the neighborhoods through which it passes – particularly downtown, Logan Circle , the U Street Corridor , and Columbia Heights – 14th Street is now known for live theater, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. Moreover, while the nominal center of the city's gay life

1860-566: The bridge. Additionally, three agencies had design approval for the bridge. The first was the AMBC, which was building it. The second was the National Capital Parks Commission (NCPC), which had statutory authority to approve federal transportation construction in the city. The third was the United States Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), which had to approve any memorial design. Since the bridge

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1920-569: The canal. At low tide, portions of the canal were almost dry. After the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built Washington Branch into the city in 1835, competition from railroads left the canal economically unviable. Although the Washington City Canal remained in use after the coming of the railroad, by 1855, it had filled with silt and debris to the point where it was no longer functional. It remained in this condition throughout

1980-557: The city began widening the entire roadway to 80 feet (24 m). In September 1933, the city received the first disbursement of revenue from the federal gasoline tax . This tax was imposed in the Revenue Act of June 1932. The city used $ 30,494 in PWA grant money and $ 45,741 in federal gas tax revenue to widen Constitution Avenue to the full width between North Capitol Street and 2d Street NW. This project, which occurred in conjunction with

2040-444: The city said on July 8 it would use a portion of these funds to finish Constitution Avenue. Construction on the $ 200,000 project was scheduled to begin at the end of August 1933 and employ 150 men. Part of the PWA grant included funds to complete John Marshall Park at the intersection of 4th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Along with the park's construction, the city finally linked the two ends of Constitution Avenue by turning

2100-453: The city, into the canal's southern leg. The Washington Canal Company was incorporated in 1802, and after several false starts, substantial work began in 1810. The Washington City Canal began operation in 1815. The canal suffered from maintenance problems and economic competition almost immediately. Traffic on the canal was adversely affected by tidal forces, which the builders had not accounted for, which deposited large amounts of sediment in

2160-663: The clearance of Upper Senate Park, began in late September 1933. City officials also asked the CFA to approve the widening of Constitution Avenue to the full width between Virginia Avenue NW and the Potomac River. The CFA quickly approved the project. Paving of the fully widened street began in October 1933 and continued in November. In December, the avenue neared completion with the installation of traffic lights between 6th and 15th Streets NW. The western terminus of Constitution Avenue

2220-404: The creation of WMATA in February 1967 focused on the needs of commuters while neglecting some of the District's less affluent neighborhoods. Riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 destroyed much of the commercial district around 14th and U Streets and planners hoped that adding a subway stop in that area would stimulate redevelopment. The original 1969 plan called for

2280-548: The end of June 1930. The city proposed a budget to Congress in May 1930 that included funds to widen B Street NW between 14th and 17th Streets NW. The federal government should pay for 40 percent of the cost of this three-block widening, the city said. When this legislation did not pass during the second session of the 71st Congress, the city proposed in December 1930 a similar funding formula but asked to widen B Street from 14th Street NW to Virginia Avenue. This time, Congress approved

2340-432: The grandeur of the planned avenue. The commission agreed that B Street should be extended eastward at least to 3rd Street NW and that building setbacks should be a minimum of 55 feet (17 m) along the avenue. But the width of the avenue remained in dispute. Tentatively, the NCPC approved a width of 80 feet (24 m) between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW, and 72 feet (22 m) from Virginia Avenue NW to

2400-402: The impending construction of Federal Triangle, worried that a traffic circle would not only fail to accommodate the expected increase in traffic volume but also impair the dignity of the memorial as large numbers of fast-moving automobiles whizzed around it. CFA members disagreed. For example, CFA member James Leal Greenleaf argued that the traffic issue was a red herring; future new bridges over

2460-526: The land near the White House and along Pennsylvania Avenue NW by nearly 6 feet (1.8 m) to form a kind of levee . This "reclaimed land" — which today includes West Potomac Park , East Potomac Park , the Tidal Basin — was largely complete by 1890 and designated Potomac Park by Congress in 1897. Congress first appropriated money for the beautification of the reclaimed land in 1902, which led to

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2520-460: The legislation. Widening of what was now called Constitution Avenue NW began at the end of February 1931, with the city finalizing its engineering plans. The city commissioners ordered the $ 168,500 widening project to begin on May 13, 1931. A small memorial column, marking the point at which water reached inland during the terrible 1889 Potomac River flood, was moved because of the street widening. The CFA, meanwhile, began to study ways to harmonize

2580-507: The neighborhood of Adams Morgan . U Street station has a single island platform with entrances at either end, leading from U Street at 10th and 13th Streets. Like nearly all non-interchange stations on the Metro, there are two tracks: trains using track E1 head to Greenbelt , while those on E2 are bound for Branch Avenue . This station was among the last to feature the 22-coffer "waffle" ceiling vault design. Plans for rapid transit prior to

2640-567: The north side of the avenue. On its south side, Constitution Avenue NW is bordered by several monuments and museums. These include the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial , Constitution Gardens , and the grounds of the Washington Monument . The relocated U.S. Capitol Gatehouses and Gateposts are at Constitution Avenue NW and 15th Street NW. East of the grounds of the Washington Monument are several museums:

2700-411: The park. In February 1929, the D.C. Department of Roads and Highways finalized its engineering plans to widen B Street NW from 26th Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW. But these plans needed approval of the NCPC as well as funding from Congress. The NCPC discussed the street widening at its March 9 meeting. It made a site visit along the roadway to see how different widths would affect the vista and

2760-423: The planting of sod, bushes, and trees; grading and paving of sidewalks, bridle paths, and driveways; and the installation of water, drainage, and sewage pipes. B Street NW extended through the newly created West Potomac Park between Virginia Avenue NW and 23rd Street NW. However, since this area was considered parkland, the street narrowed to just 40-foot (12 m) in width. On March 4, 1913, Congress created

2820-407: The south curb south by 20 feet (6.1 m) and the north curb north by 12 feet (3.7 m). However, once the street went past Virginia Avenue NW, the NCPC determined that the north curb should not be moved. In September 1926, the NCPC approved widening B Street to 80 feet (24 m) between 6th and 15th Streets NW (by moving the south curb south). This decision was reaffirmed by a joint meeting of

2880-502: The street (listed from south to north): The DC Circulator's Woodley Park – Adams Morgan – McPherson Square Metro bus line travels along 14th Street between Columbia Heights and Franklin Square. Constitution Avenue Constitution Avenue is a major east–west street in the northwest and northeast quadrants of the city of Washington, D.C. , in the United States. It was originally known as B Street , and its western section

2940-473: The street Constitution Avenue. This proposal met with strong approval from the city. Although the House initially rejected the name, the legislation passed both the House and Senate in the second session of the 71st United States Congress . President Herbert Hoover signed the legislation into law on February 25, 1931. The Corps of Engineers realized in the spring of 1930 that no provision had been made for

3000-417: The terminus of B Street. Because this was merely a matter of adding a small traffic circle on the Potomac shoreline and creating a small terrace there, cost-savings elsewhere could provide the funding for the terminus without requiring additional authorization or appropriation from Congress. The Corps contracted North Carolina Granite Co. to provide granite for this terrace. Nearly all this granite had arrived by

3060-659: The treatment of Constitution Avenue NW, the Lincoln Memorial Grounds, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge. By March 1932, additional funding to complete the widening of Constitution Avenue NW and extend it through Senate Park was still needed. But the House of Representatives declined to approve funding in April 1932. Funding for this part of the project did not come through until December 1932, when Congress ordered $ 55,200 transferred from

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3120-528: The western section slightly northward and the eastern section slightly southward. The one-block section of Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 4th and 5th Streets was renamed Constitution Avenue (leaving Pennsylvania Avenue no longer contiguous). To control these two intersections, 10 traffic signals (some of the first to be installed in downtown D.C.) were placed at these intersections. The intersection opened on August 17, 1933. The lack of uniform width along Constitution Avenue proved problematic. With little fanfare,

3180-447: The western side of Washington's Logan Circle neighborhood. Because it connects to one of the main bridges crossing the Potomac River into Northern Virginia , 14th Street has always been a major transportation corridor. It was the location of one of the first streetcar lines , and today it is the location of several afternoon carpooling " slug lines ", which allow commuters to meet the high-occupancy vehicle requirements of I-395 ,

3240-524: Was added to the name just before opening, and refers to the nearby Cardozo High School . "African-Amer Civil War Memorial" was added in 1999 when the African American Civil War Memorial was completed at U Street and Vermont Ave NW. With this designation, this station had the longest name in the Metro system at 44 characters, while the shortest station names in the system belong to Takoma and McLean . On November 3, 2011,

3300-519: Was considered a memorial, it also had to pass CFA muster. In April 1924, the Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission proposed extending B Street to the U.S. Capitol as part of the plan to turn the street into a major thoroughfare. The NCPC inspected B Street in June 1926, and in August, made a preliminary determination that the street should be widened to 72 feet (22 m) between the Potomac River and Virginia Avenue NW. This would be accomplished by moving

3360-573: Was constructed on top of it. Work began in October 1871 and was completed in December 1873. After terrible flooding inundated much of downtown Washington, D.C., in 1881, Congress ordered the United States Army Corps of Engineers to dredge a deep channel in the Potomac to lessen the chance of flooding. Congress also ordered that the dredged material be used to fill in what remained of the Tiber Creek estuary and build up much of

3420-442: Was formally introduced later that year. Yellow Line service resumed in late 2006 as part of what was initially an 18-month experiment to extend that line to Fort Totten station during non-rush hours and weekends. On June 10, 2001, Metro Transit Police Officer Marlon C. Morales was killed in the line of duty at this station, while intervening in a fare dispute. A plaque exists outside the 13th Street entrance in his honor. "Cardozo"

3480-616: Was greatly lengthened and widened between 1925 and 1933. It received its current name on February 26, 1931, though it was almost named Jefferson Avenue in honor of Thomas Jefferson . Constitution Avenue's western half defines the northern border of the National Mall and extends from the United States Capitol to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge . Its eastern half runs through the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and Kingman Park before it terminates at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium . Many federal departmental headquarters, memorials, and museums line Constitution Avenue's western segment. When

3540-533: Was how to turn B Street NW into a ceremonial gateway. The second was how to link B Street NW with the bridge. This second problem was significant because the Lincoln Memorial stood at the northeastern terminus of the proposed bridge. Third, the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway was being designed to terminate at the Lincoln Memorial as well. The parkway would also interact with the B Street approaches to

3600-558: Was unimpeded by any water obstacles, ran straight to the Eastern Branch River, now known as the Anacostia River . Along its entire length, B Street was 60 feet (18 m) wide. L'Enfant proposed turning Tiber Creek into a canal. His plan included cutting a new canal south across the western side of the United States Capitol grounds and converting James Creek , which ran from the Capitol south-southwest through

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