'America's Main Street' could get a people-friendly makeover

The National Capital Planning Commission is considering plans to redesign key portions of Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol and the White House, reports Winston Rogers for ABC 7 News. "Officials said the plan is an update to one initially created in 1974, which they said is outdated, adding that the original group responsible for oversight of the corridor was disbanded in the 1990s."

In a meeting, planners mentioned other famous boulevards such as the Champs-Élysées in Paris and The Mall in London, sites that are designed to accommodate massive events and parades. "Specifically, the plan targets efforts to redo spaces between the 300 and 500 blocks near the US Capitol and 1200-1400 blocks near the White House, alongside several crossroads in between."

The plan would reduce the number of car lanes and move bike lanes from the middle of the street to the sides on parts of the street, and as add more seating and shade trees along the sidewalks. "For the areas near the White House, proposals include plans to split Freedom Plaza into two parts or keep the plaza intact but lower it to street level so parades could pass through if needed."