New DC

Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power "To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States."

The District contains more than 600,000 people living on 68.3 square miles. Making it the 25th largest city in the United States. The metro area contains 5.58 million people making it the 7th largest metro in the United States.

DC residents complain about Congress having control over the city. Even though that control is specified in the Constitution. There are cries of Taxation Without Representation. Various remedies have been proposed such as Statehood or amendments to give DC Senators and Representatives and Electors as if it were a State.

I propose that a better solution would be to depopulate DC and create a New DC.

Most of the population of DC would be moved to the area outside of the city limits. Only a few people would remain. Owners of city businesses would stay. Police, Secret Service and other security personnel would as well. There would also be residences for the elected and appointed members of the Federal Government.

The result would be a massive population outside the Federal Capital in the National Capitol Region. Between I495 (which rings the city) and the borders of DC, a huge public transportation network could be built to funnel workers, tourists and visitors into the city. Personal vehicles would be restricted from entering DC.

The area no longer devoted to cars and homes would be converted into spacious boulevards, parks, cafes and walking areas. Federal offices now scattered throughout the NCR would be brought into DC and placed in clusters around Metro stations, making it easier for workers to commute and citizens to reach the government.