Dwarfed perhaps by her larger sisters, the John A. Wilson Building, an example of “American Beaux-Arts Classicism,” is an architect's delight. From Freedom Plaza, between 13th and 14th streets on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, the view is magnificent: the marble from South Dover; N.Y.; the Blue Hill, Maine granite; the huge columns, the eight “heroic figures” on the upper cornice, designed by Adolfo De Nesti and depicting sculpture, painting, architecture, music, commerce, engineering, agriculture and statesmanship.

Interestingly, the site once served as home to a horse stable and, later, a power plant. A fire in 1897 destroyed the Capital Traction Company. In 1902, Congress authorized the construction of the District Building, setting aside $1.5 million; that amount mushroomed to $2.5 million, proving that even at the turn of the 20th century contracting and procurement were big headaches. The building eventually opened July 4, 1908.

The D.C. Council plans to celebrate the building's 100 anniversary this fall. Ron Collins, assistant secretary to the council, says extensive research is being conducted.

“The Centennial Advisory Committee is still meeting,” he says; details are not final. But there will be seminars; a town hall meeting with members of earlier councils, exhibits and surely a reception. It wouldn't be a Washington affair without one.

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In the late 1980s, as a daily reporter I had an office in the building. Then, the building was prisoner to pigeons. Mounds of bird droppings obstructed the view from the inside. On rainy days, wastebaskets were strategically placed. Black rotary telephones still dotted the desks in some offices.

The building has undergone several renovations since its construction. The most recent, in the early 1990s, was expensive and controversial; the city nearly lost its place on the grand avenue.

After Council Chairman John Wilson hanged himself, his colleagues named the building in his honor.

Despite plans to celebrate its architectural splendor, the council voted earlier this month to affix to its front an LED. The board will offer a running tab of federal taxes residents pay, even as they are denied voting representation in Congress.

It’s sacrilegious. If there were a “Most Wanted” for architectural abusers, District officials might be high on that list. Where are the preservationists when you need them?

Collins promises the sign will be “very tastefully done, keeping in mind the historical context of the building.”

If officials gazed at the building from the plaza where I am now, they might appreciate its pristine beauty and agree it shouldn't be marred.  Besides, this “taxation without representation” has become painfully ubiquitous and as aesthetically appealing as graffiti.

It's on license plates. Some proposed stitching it onto the official flag. The council wanted an LED on the Nationals Baseball Stadium; the owners objected. At-large member Carol Schwartz introduced legislation to rename Half Street SW. “taxation without representation” way.

Why can't they just have a protest march like everyone else?

Jonetta Rose Barras, an author and political analyst, can be reached at Rosebook1@aol.com