DDOT: Reconstruction of Black Lives Matter Plaza in ‘final stage'
German Vigil, the spokesman for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), told DC News Now on Monday that the 'reconstruction' of the plaza in 16th St. NW, between H and K streets, is in its 'final stage and will be completed ahead of schedule.'
Vigil noted that 'efficient project management,' good weather conditions and the cooperation of area businesses have allowed the mural's removal to progress without delays. Construction on the plaza began on March 10.
'Most of the work has already been completed, with pavement markings as the final step. Although striping is scheduled to be finished by the end of the week, the roadway has been reopened to traffic,' Vigil said, in part.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Crews begin reconstructing Black Lives Matter Plaza
The plaza's changes come after Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) introduced legislation at the beginning of March that would withhold federal funding from the city until officials removed the mural and renamed it 'Liberty Plaza.'
Following the legislation's introduction, Mayor Muriel Bowser Three days later, and that the work would take six to eight weeks to complete.
The plaza and mural (which reads 'Black Lives Matter' in bold yellow letters) were initially designed in 2020 amid protests over the murder of George Floyd.
Crowd gathered at Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC to show respect to mural before removal
In her initial announcement, Bowser said the plaza's reconstruction will be part of 'DC's America 250 mural project,' where students and artists will be invited to create new murals across all eight wards.
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