Federal Center SW station

Federal Center SW station is a Washington Metro station in an area known as the Southwest Federal Center in Washington, D.C., United States. The island-platformed station was opened on July 1, 1977, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and is located on the Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines. The station is located at 3rd and D Streets.

History

In preliminary maps, this was named Voice of America station, after the government-owned radio service located a block away. In September 1971, Department of Health, Education and Welfare secretary Eliot Richardson suggested the current name, noting that "The Voice of America is by far the smallest agency in the Southwest area". The station opened on July 1, 1977. Its opening coincided with the completion of 11.8 miles (19.0 km) of rail between National Airport and RFK Stadium and the opening of the Arlington Cemetery, Capitol South, Crystal City, Eastern Market, Farragut West, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom–GWU, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, National Airport, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Potomac Avenue, Rosslyn, Smithsonian, and Stadium–Armory stations. Orange Line service to the station began upon the line's opening on November 20, 1978. Silver Line service at Federal Center SW began on July 26, 2014.

From March 26, 2020 until June 28, 2020, this station was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between January 15 to January 21, 2021, this station was closed because of security concerns due to the Inauguration of Joe Biden.

Station layout

The station features the 22-coffer "waffle" ceiling vault design among Benning Road, Capitol Heights, Navy Yard–Ballpark, Shaw-Howard University, and U Street.

Notable places nearby

Museum of the Bible
National Air and Space Museum
National Museum of the American Indian
United States Botanic Garden
Several federal government buildings, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Health and Human Services, NASA, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Voice of America radio and television studios, and the Ford House Office Building.