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The Southwest Rectangle is probably the most well-integrated-to-the-Mall of any of the neighborhoods detailed in this plan. The problem here isn’t so much integration as it is the poor state of Southwest’s existing urbanity. Dominated by urban renewal era megabuildings that take up entire blocks and have no pedestrian-scale ornamentation, Southwest needs to be reclaimed into something more closely resembling a humane, attractive city.

• Breaking up superblocks and restoration of the street grid is key. Decking the rail line to provide for an extended Maryland Avenue is a good idea. The case to deck the rails and restore Virginia Avenue isn’t as strong, since it’s a less monumental corridor, but even so there’s nothing strictly wrong with the idea.
• Continuing 10th Street from Fed Triangle as main street is also good idea, but to be fully successful the two segments (north and south of the Mall) will need to be connected somehow, even if only visually.
• Demolishing the Forrestal building is smart. Frankly, several buildings in Southwest should be demolished.
• The planned 10th Street overlook, with its grand staircase down to the waterfront, is a an absolutely fabulous idea with potential to be one of DC's very greatest public spaces. That having been said, it will only work if both the overlook circle and the waterfront base are full of life. If either is empty, the effect won't work, and the staircase will be more empty plaza than defining public space.
• Maine Avenue fish market isn't discussed in the plan, but is a valuable and unique contribution to the city. Under absolutely no circumstances can it be removed. It should be preserved and improved.
• In addition to the deck over the Maryland Avenue rail tracks (a good idea because it’s desirable to have a street at that location), the plan seeks to hide other rail tracks, as well as the L’Enfant VRE station. Aesthetic improvements are always welcome, but how about using the VRE station as a monumental building rather than something to be tucked away? Let's build a "L'Enfant Station" and turn it into a community asset. If Union Station can be beautiful, so can L’Enfant.
• The plan discusses the need to protect modern landmarks. That’s a mistake. The preservation movement isn’t supposed to be about protecting the fickle fads of avant-garde architects more interested in sculpture than livable buildings. Preservationism was never about protecting awful buildings just because they might be old, it was about protecting good buildings from the wrecking ball. There are precious few good buildings in Southwest, so there is no reason to protect them. Urban renewal was a one-time mistake that needs to be corrected, not protected.
• Where are the bikes? Gas is way up, transit is awesome but expensive to build, and the Mall is a major leisure resource. The Mall and the neighborhoods surrounding it are ripe to accommodate more biking, both as transportation and recreation. It would be nice if this plan noticed, especially considering DC's upcoming bike-sharing network. (This note copypasted to each chapter, since it applies to them all.)