The District is making strides in its efforts to construct a permanent, meaningful memorial to the legendary guitarist/singer Chuck Brown, "the Godfather of Go-Go." On September 24, the DC
Department of General Services (DGS) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage a design-builder for the memorial that is being located on the western side of Ward 5's Langdon Park at 2901 20th Street, NE.
According to the RFP, the project will include a wall built from concrete with a metal screen, with photo images of Chuck Brown and a list of Chuck Brown’s discography in metal lettering; at least five large outdoor interactive instruments embedded in a concrete pad, to be located adjacent to the existing playground; lighting directed at the memorial wall and memorial entrance wall; signage with raised metal lettering; landscaping (including cherry trees); new sidewalks; storm water management initiatives; and decorative treatment to the exterior of the existing electrical buildings on the site.
Design-builders have until October 18 to submit proposals. The winner, to be chosen on or around November 8, will have until May 1, 2014 to substantially complete the project.
Additionally, DCG is partnering with The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) on the park's artistic element.
DCCAH has released an RFP for an artist or artist team to create the public art installation, which will "serve as inspiration and a reminder of the cultural legacy of Go-Go that originated in this city." The RFP will close on October 11.
A community meeting at which semi-finalists will hear feedback is tentatively scheduled for November 14, 2013. DCCAH will also solicit two community residents to serve on The Chuck Brown Project Artist Selection Panel, which will meet on January 17 to select the winning artist.
DGS Community Outreach Coordinator Jackie Stanley says that in early January 2014, once the proposals are complete, the community will have the opportunity to view them and provide additional feedback prior to the final artist being selected.
Mayor Vincent Gray proposed creating the memorial just weeks after the musician’s death in May 2012.
Marshall Moya Design LLC, the D.C. architecture firm that proposed the amphitheater design, replaced the amphitheater with the plaza concept after the community expressed concerns.