C&O Canal Plans Discussed at CAG Meeting

At a recent Citizens Association of Georgetown meeting, citizens seemed overall quite pleased with presentations by Kevin Brandt, superintendent of the C&O Canal National Historical Park; Terrie Rouse, executive director of the nonprofit Georgetown Heritage; and Maggie Downing of the Business Improvement District, according to Long & Foster’s Roger Carp, who was in attendance.

Brandt presented a brief history of the canal, including photos of how the canal looked in its prime, and described how the canal walls will be disassembled and reassembled, piece by piece, after a new out-of-view concrete footing is poured to replace the wooden footing. New wooden lock gates will also be constructed as the wood has a life expectancy of only 10 years.

Downing discussed future educational programs, while Rouse talked about improvements to the overall amenities and the canal boat. She said the existing replica canal boat is beyond repair, but could be recycled into such things as park benches. Downing talked about plans to build a new boat that could accommodate small functions.