You may have watched the TV show or played with the toys as a kid, but have you seen the life-size Transformers sculptures in a local D.C. neighborhood?
The two six and ten-foot-tall statues are a novelty attraction some in the Georgetown area might be familiar with 鈥� one that鈥檚 been a point of contention in recent months. The local community finds itself divided again over whether to take down the “imposing” statues.
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The Old Georgetown Board now says they’re officially recommending to remove the Transformers after a meeting Thursday night. The two giant robots sit just outside the front door of the home of world-renowned neuroscientist and Georgetown University professor Dr. Newton Howard.
Howard owns the sculptures, which he says are made of spare medical parts from equipment used to treat neurological ailments like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Just like the cartoon, he says, “There鈥檚 more than meets the eye” to his decision to place them outside his home.
“Think of yourself as the transformer,鈥� Howard said, speaking to 草莓传媒 in front of the sculptures Friday afternoon. 鈥淚t’s about transforming your community, your life. It鈥檚 about inclusion 鈥� inclusion of others different from you.鈥�
Howard says he鈥檚 prepared to fight in the courts if he must to keep his Transformers standing.
In a statement obtained 草莓传媒, the Commission of Fine Arts says Howard鈥檚 sculptures 鈥� even though they鈥檙e right outside his home 鈥� are technically on public property. They also say he never filed the proper paperwork for a permit to keep them standing, even though he said he was going to months ago.
Both the Commission of Fine Arts and the Old Georgetown Board cite the Old Georgetown Act, which notes architectural standards that must be adhered to to preserve the character of the neighborhood.
They say Howard鈥檚 Transformers don’t fit with the neighborhood鈥檚 character, adding that it could be a slippery slope to what else might be allowed if they let the robots stand unchecked by the rules.
“That’s their opinion,鈥� Howard contended. 鈥淚 have a differing view. And I think the judicial system might have a different view as well.”
“I’ve received a lot of support randomly,鈥� Howard went on. 鈥淧eople sending me notes, leaving me flowers. It was quite touching actually.”
Some neighbors like Trinity Johnson say they don鈥檛 understand what the big deal is. 鈥淚 think they don鈥檛 do anything to denigrate the neighborhood,鈥� she told 草莓传媒. 鈥淚f anything, they liven it up.鈥�
鈥淚t also makes me happy how much the kids love them,鈥� Howard added.
It鈥檚 important to note that the decision by the Old Georgetown Board and its three commissioners is not an order, but merely a recommendation. The decision to physically remove the Transformers, or leave them be, falls to the District government, specifically the D.C. Department of Transportation.
The department said its reviewing the Old Georgetown Board ruling and supporting documents and will have an update either within the next couple weeks.
