5.1 Education Plaza, Washington DC

5.1 EDUCATION PLAZA, WASHINGTON DC

Figure 5.1.1 Education Building Washington DC

In order to identify both the amenities and activities that Department of Education employees would like to have in their soon-to-be renovated plaza in Washington, DC, 3,000 DoEd workers received an inter-email survey. The responses were included in the recommendations for the plaza, which were then incorporated into the project by the architect and urban design teams. This "community" vision was to create a central square showcasing innovations in education. Specific ideas included a children's play area; a quiet area for employees to eat lunch outside; an outdoor café; expansion of the existing cafeteria onto the plaza, the creation of a performance area for noon-time concerts, and programming an annual Education Expo to symbolize the nation's commitment to education.

The GSA and the Education Department have begun discussions with National Park Service and the City that will lead to the GSA gaining jurisdiction over the road and the park site to create its Education Plaza, a new civic space for Washington.