FREE RIDE

Developer to Move 'Awakening' to Pr. George's

Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post

GROUNDBREAKING: Developer Milt Peterson bought the "The Awakening" sculpture at Hains Point and plans to move it to his National Harbor project in Prince George's County. Yes, you heard that right ... Because the National Park Service never technically owned the sculpture that has sat at the tip of East Potomac Park since 1980, Peterson was able to purchase it for $750,000. As The Post's Anita Huslin reports, artist J. Seward Johnson had wanted to donate it when it was installed there as part of an international sculpture competition but the NPS "could not accept site-specific gifts." And through that loophole, "Charlie" will escape Hains Point's reclaimed tidal flats, and end up on a beach at his massive entertainment/conference/convention complex downriver from the nation's capital, just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Writes Huslin:

Moving the sculpture away from the District could create a stir, Peterson realizes. That's exactly what he's looking for.
Certainly.

For today's Poll Center question, we ask: Should The Awakening be moved to Prince George's County? Go vote (and comment) here and see how your fellow commuters weighed in, station by station, line by line.

» "Grand Vision for National Harbor Takes Form" [WaPo]
» "National Harbor" [Official Site]

Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post

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COMMENTS (2)

  • No I don't think it should be moved. It has been a part of Haines Point for so long. It's what bring's visitors to the park in the first place. It would certainly be a missed part of the park if it is taken away.

    By Jenae , Posted April 23, 2007 3:22 PM

  • We all can agree that "The Awakening" will be missed at Hains Point but we have to be thankful that it will stay in the DC area--a much better alternative than an overseas buyer. I am confident National Harbor is a first-class development that will proudly display and maintain this extraordinary piece of art. We also should recognize that visitors to National Harbor will far exceed those to Hains Point and provide an opportunity for more people to experience "The Awakening".

    By Neil , Posted April 24, 2007 7:31 AM
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