Construction Begins on Viewing Stands Outside D.C. City Hall

Construction began today on the bleachers in front of the John A. Wilson Building, D.C.'s city hall, where Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and council members will watch Barack Obama trek down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House after he is sworn-in Jan. 20. There will also be room for the media.

The stands outside 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. cost about $2.7 million to build, which is supposed to be defrayed with the help of $15 million from the federal government. The contract went to Associated Builders Inc., which has built the stands for the city for the past nine inaugurations, according to city documents.

Fenty and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) are hoping to get more funds to assist the city in paying for what federal and local officials believe could be the largest inaugural gathering in history.

Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray said during a press conference yesterday that he expects Uncle Sam to pick up the tab. “I have no reason to think that the government will not follow through and pay for everything. That is is the plan.”

By Nikita Stewart and Hamil R. Harris. Photo by Harris.

By David A Nakamura  |  December 1, 2008; 2:10 PM ET  | Category:  Parade
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