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Nats Looking to Add a Curly W to Navy Yard Metro Station Name
 At tonight's ANC 6D meeting, Nationals vice president Gregory McCarthy asked the commission to support the Nationals' request for a name change for the Navy Yard Metro station. But, instead of asking to add "Nationals Park" or "Ballpark" or "Baseball Stadium" or "[Insert Corporate Naming Rights Winner Here] Park" or some other permutation, the Nationals are asking that the Nationals' "Curly W" red logo be added to Metro's maps and signage instead. McCarthy said that focus groups with fans have indicated a strong identification with the logo, and, just as the Curly W appears on freeway signs around the area directing drivers to the stadium, the team wants the same icon to direct transit users.Commission chair Ron McBee spoke of the team's positive impact on the community, especially all the work that team players and staff do with the students of nearby Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in Southwest, and there were few other comments from the commissioners. One audience member asked if this didn't amount to free advertising--McCarthy replied that the name of the stadium (which is owned by the city, he reminded) is "Nationals Park," and that the Curly W just signifies the team's name. (In far fewer letters.) The team would be on the hook for any costs incurred for the signage and map changes, but since WMATA is undertaking a reprinting and updating of its maps and signage next year, they probably have pretty good timing.
The resolution drafted by the ANC called for support of the Nationals' request, as long as Navy Yard remains in the station's name and remains first, with "Nationals Park" being an acceptable alternative if WMATA doesn't want to use the Curly W. (They also made sure to specify that the Nats are wanting the Curly W to be red.) This means that the ANC's preference for the station's new name is Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront/
 , since the Capitol Riverfront BID previously came to the ANC asking for support in having its name added. The resolution also gives "Navy Yard/Riverfront/Ballpark" as an acceptable alternative if Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront/ is too long. The resolution passed 6-0-1.In terms of how station name changes work, McBee passed out this 1987 DC government document detailing how the city evaluates requests. After an ANC weighs in, the WMATA committee looking at the request submits a formal recommendation to DC's WMATA board member(s), who then transmit a formal recommendation to the mayor, who decides on the request and transmits a request for action (or non-action) back to WMATA.
After the vote, McCarthy took a moment to thank outgoing 6D07 commissioner Bob Siegel ("who I first met when he was opposing the new stadium") for all the work he has done on behalf of the community since it was decided to put Nationals Park in his single member district.
12/13/10 8:54 PM
| Comments (8)
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Comments:
G Street says: (12/14/10 9:06 AM)
I have no problem with it. I go back to the days when the Nats first came here, and loyal Dems wouldn't wear the 'W' hat... as they said it would signify they were 'for' George 'W.' Bush - oh, brother - so they'd wear the 'DC' hats instead. And what the heck is 'Capitol Riverfront'?? Never heard of it. "Yeah, meet me down at Capitol Riverfront..." "Say what?" "I mean, the Navy Yards. Nationals Stadium. JD Land!" MJM says: (12/14/10 10:22 AM)
'The Great Society Subway' (around page 258/9) mentions how the metro map was going to include logos but that was passed over. For example Smithsonian would have had the wavy sun for its logo. I don't like using Navy Yard because I have to explain I don't live in the ghetto, public housing, a run-down part of town, etc, etc so I just say I live near the baseball stadium and that clears up the confusion. As much as change is good at times folks need to look backwards and see that while this may look like a new/cool/hip idea it was brought up before and dismissed probably for obvious reasons - meet me at the Curly W on the metro map - that would go over real well Landon says: (12/14/10 10:22 AM)
I think that Navy Yard/W makes sense Mark says: (12/14/10 11:48 AM)
Meet me in Natstown! SW says: (12/14/10 1:32 PM)
KEEP CAPITOL RIVERFRONT OFF THE METRO!!!!!!! Matt says: (12/14/10 2:52 PM)
No, stupid idea! Stupid, stupid, stupid idea! Unless of course the Nats wish to pay Metro an EXTREMELY hefty sum per anum for the rights in addition to paying for all costs related to the signage/map/name changing. Even then, I still think it'd be stupid, and would then give every other private interest a reason to think their logo should be in the station name nearest them. I don't intend to come home very night to "Target-Best Buy-IHOP-Columbia Heights-14th Street-CVS Station"! The station names need to be shortened and should be based on the actual location of the station (using street names or well-established landmarks which are not newer than 10 years)... MJM says: (12/14/10 3:27 PM)
Matt- costs may not be needed since the proposed Blue/Yellow changes will force a re-do of the maps, etc so they are hoping to piggy-back on that. Add a Comment: Comments are closed for this post. |
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