Last year, Dominion upgraded the power substation at 3245 Wilson Boulevard to help provide additional power capacity to the ever-developing Clarendon area. As part of the upgrades, Dominion promised a new containment wall that would make the facility easier on the eyes. So far, though, it’s still just a fence.
That has some locals worried. One resident contacted us and pointed out that the Dominion web site lists the project as “complete.” Would the prominently-placed substation remain surrounded by the “ugly” chain link fence?
No, says Dominion spokesperson Le-Ha Anderson. The wall is coming.
“Dominion is working with Arlington County, community members and an art consultant to select a vendor to create the artwork for the façade around the… substation,” Anderson told ARLnow.com. “We expect to have a design proposal by late November – early December.”
Anderson said she expects the wall to be built by spring 2011.
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Mmmm. Art. Yummy.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
So does this mean the facade of the fence is going to stay and there is just going to be artwork on the fence? If so, that’s hardly a new containment well, just the same thing that will attract more eyes – which is not what is wanted since so much of the sub-station can be seen above the fence.
just so long as the new artwork doesn’t contain any lighting bolts, ohm’s law, or anything relating to power and electricity … because that would be considered “advertising”, right?
I walk past this every day on the way to work and can hear static or something running through the chain link as I walk by. Hopefully a more substantial barricade will make it feel less like I’m going to get radiation poisoning every time I walk past.
How about fixing the one in Crystal City so it doesn’t explode/catch on fire every few months?
Please tell me they arranged a reasonable “kill fee” for the art consultant this time in case the proposal involves antennas, foil sculpture or anything like that.
I think a plain wall; with maybe some texture would be fine. No public art.
let’s hope it isn’t as expensive as the last public-utility art installation.
more power to ARLNOW!!!
Why just a facade, and not a more substantial structure like there is around the Virginia Square substation? (http://bit.ly/bQuTLd)
This all begs the question why the substation is in such a prominent location. Even before the new Clarendon renaissance, it would have been only a block off the old Clarendon Circle. Shouldn’t it be off a side street somewhere?
Does anyone know who to contact about other substations that are eyesores? There is one at 4100 S. Four Mile Run Dr. that is an equal eyesore. I contacted Dominion about a year ago and got a callback from someone saying they would look into it and never heard anything back.