D.C. is filled with architecturally interesting public spaces. To get an idea of how people are using these spaces, Curbed writers are spending twenty minutes in a given location and taking note of what they see. Want to nominate a place for this series? Hit up our tipline. Here's what happened today between 2:35-2:55 p.m. at the Metro Center Station.
2:35 p.m. — Wow, even in the middle of the day during neither rush hour nor lunch, there are small crowds of people at each door waiting to get on the train.
2:36 p.m. — Looking over from the Shady Grove platform there is a bit of a crowd gathering to head toward Glenmont.
2:38 p.m. — Here's a cursory look around the Red Line platforms for anything that stands out. So far there are three suitcases, one stroller (well, does the grocery roller-cart count) and one man with a white cane.
2:39 p.m. — Nevermind, there are four suitcases. Unrelated, the roar of some Blue or Orange line train below is rather loud.
2:40 p.m. — Both red line platforms fill in as people come up the escalators from that Blue or Orange Line train that has just passed through. The PA runs an announcement asking patrons to be careful on said escalators.
2:41 p.m. — One man in a blue work jacket sprints to the escalator headed to the Blue and Orange line platform below the second that the Shady Grove train's doors open. A throng of people follow but although some walk more hurriedly than others, no one else seems to worried.
2:43 p.m. — Girl with the brown purse standing on the left side of the escalator like it won't be a problem, we see you. There is always one. Run an announcement telling people to stand on the right!
2:44 p.m. — The sign behind the station manager booth signals a Macy's upstairs.
2:45 p.m. — The station manager opens the gate for a man on crutches carrying a backpack, a duffel bag and a water bottle on a strap. He wishes the man a nice day.
2:46 p.m. — There's also a large mural above the Macy's sign behind the station manager. It looks a little bit like a broken collage or mosaic that puts D.C.'s landmarks in the middle as other familiar looking images sit to the side. The lion looks like it came from Chicago. The fighters look like they're wearing armor from ancient Mongolia. Some other paintings look like the top of Roman temples. Still, why do the Washington monuments in the middle look so brown and faded in comparison?
2:48 p.m. — Hey, some Silver Line signage has appeared!
2:49 p.m. — The escalator going toward the bottom platform is almost as loud as the train but whereas the trains sound like the dull roar of a lion, the escalator is more of an unending muted screech.
2:50 p.m. — Two young looking women laugh together and take up a large chunk of the platform talking animatedly. Apparently one of them was mistaken for a high school student. She then refers to a 23 year old as a young little boy, nine years her junior. She is wearing a Hello Kitty backpack.
2:52 p.m. — A man on cell phone near the train going toward Vienna has taken to moving his cell phone directly in front of his mouth to talk into it as trains go by. He moves it back to his ear as the train stops.
2:54 p.m. — Only one of the three escalators going up to the Glenmont side of the upper platform are running although neither of the other two are blocked off. One young man actually walks down.
2:55 p.m. — Well, at least when it's someone with a suitcase on the left side of the escalator, one can chalk it up to tourists not knowing their escalator etiquette.