# Public Meeting on Proposed New Policies for Memorial in the Nation's Capital. > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-23313 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** September 8, 1999 - **Citation:** 64 FR 48852 ## Text NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION Public Meeting on Proposed New Policies for Memorial in the Nation's Capital. AGENCY: National Capital Planning Commission. [[Page 48853]] ACTION: Notice of public meetings on proposed new policies for memorials in the Nation's Capital. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Background The National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Memorial Commission (Joint Task Force on Memorials) will hold public hearings on Wednesday, September 29, 1999 in Washington, DC at the Martin Luther King Memorial Library, 901 G Street, NW in Room A-5 (lower level). The meeting will be held in afternoon and evening sessions. The afternoon session will run from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM and the evening session will run from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. The purpose of the hearings is to receive public testimony on proposed new policies for monuments, memorials, and museums in the Nation's Capital. The 60-day public comment period on the proposed policies ends on November 8, 1999. The Joint Task Force, whose parent agencies are responsible for reviewing and approving the placement and design of commemorative works in the National Capital, have been meeting since fall 1997 to forge a consensus on new policies for commemorative works in the Mall area. The three commissions have agreed to seek public comments on a draft policy statement and map, which establish a protected area in the central cross-axis of the Mall (the Reserve) in which no new commemorative sites would be approved. The proposed policy also calls for the creation of a zone adjacent to the Reserve where new monuments, memorials, and museums, meeting certain predetermined criteria, would be permitted to locate (Area A). Finally, the proposal creates an area outside Area A where new commemorative works would be encouraged to locate (Area B) (See Illustration 1). SUMMARY: The Proposed Policy Statement reads as follows: The Reserve The great cross-axis of the Mall forms one of the world's premier examples of civic art, which itself is a monument to democracy. Here the nation commemorates its history, and citizens can join in celebration, congregation, contemplation, and the exercise of their rights of free speech and assembly. The Reserve is a unique national space, an embodiment of our democratic ideals and achievements, and must be preserved as an indispensable, nationally significant cultural resource. This setting has matured as the nation has matured. The cross-axis, framed by monuments and museums, constitutes the historic urban design framework of the capital established by the L'Enfant and McMillan Plans-open spaces, long axes, and dramatic vistas. It must be rigorously protected. No new memorial sites will be approved in this area.* --------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Within both the Reserve and Area A, the proposed restrictions are not applicable to commemorative works that received site approval prior to September 8, 1999 from the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator of the General Services Administration, as appropriate. These memorials are the World War II Memorial in the Reserve, and the following in Area A: the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial, the George Mason Memorial, and the U.S. Air Force Memorial. In addition, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial has been approved for a location within the proposed Area A, but a specific site has not yet been approved. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Mall is a historic, monumental open space and a substantially completed work of public urban design. The east-west axis extends from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. The north-south axis stretches from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial. The L'Enfant Plan established the central greensward that was extended to the west a century later by the McMillan Plan. This latter plan created the great cross-axis that dominates the Mall Complex well known to American and world visitors alike. The area is defined primarily by monuments, memorials, and museums contained by a carefully designed landscape that is extended by water and the monumental skyline. This vast open space enhances public and individual gatherings and recreation. The Mall's sweeping vistas and reciprocal views contribute greatly to the power and beauty of the Nation's Capital. Area A Area A, immediately adjacent to the Reserve, comprises the rest of the Monumental Core of the Nation's Capital. The importance of Area A accrues from its proximity to the Reserve and from its own significance as an area of commemoration and historic and scenic vistas. This area also serves as an important recreation area under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Memorials may be approved for this area subject to restrictive criteria and design guidelines that ensure that memorials will not intrude on the significance of the setting.* The Commemorative Works Act of 1986 recognizes the importance of protecting much of this area by limiting future memorials to those of preeminent historical significance. The Task Force's current proposal would slightly enlarge the boundary of this zone to extend this protection, primarily to federal lands on the Virginia shore of the Potomac River. Area B Area B is the rest of the city of Washington with emphasis on the important North, South, and East Capitol Street axes, as well as circles and squares on major avenues, waterfronts, urban gateways and scenic overlooks. The idea of encouraging the placement of memorials in strategic locations beyond the traditional Monumental Core is a key premise of the National Capital Planning Commission's framework plan, Extending the Legacy: Planning America's Capital for the 21st Century. The Joint Task Force on Memorials strongly encourages the siting of commemorative works in the National Capital in Area B. Monuments and memorials have the power to encourage civic beauty and pride. Memorial sponsors should consider appropriate sites throughout the Nation's Capital and its environs, especially in association with federal facilities on Special Streets and Gateways, on circles, squares, and other parkland, and along the waterfront where the presence of memorials will reinforce the L'Enfant and McMillan Plans. In some cases, commemorative works can impart extra meaning to or be enhanced by museums. The Task Force encourages the siting of such works in Area B, which provides many appropriate areas for locating memorials and their associated museums in proximity to each other. This commemorative and planning activity would encourage tourism, educational opportunities, and good urban design, as well as civic, cultural, and economic development throughout the Washington area. The development of memorials in urban areas may entail unusual cost and complexity for land acquisition and infrastructure. Federal assistance should be used to encourage the establishment of memorials in Area B, in recognition of the valuable federal land otherwise contributed to memorial sites in Area A. Public Comment Period Public testimony will be taken at the public meetings on September 29, 1999. Individuals interested in testifying at the meetings should call the National Capital Planning Commission at (202) 482-7200 no later than 12:00 noon, Eastern Time, the day before the public meeting to register in advance. Members of the public who wish to testify and have not signed up in advance may sign up at the meeting before the start of the session. Public testimony will be limited to five minutes each, and will generally be scheduled on a first-come basis. Written comments may be submitted before, during, or after the meetings. Comments should be mailed to the attention of the Joint Task Force on Memorials, c/o Ronald Wilson, National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20576. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. All written and oral comments will become part of the public record. Comments should be received no later than COB, November 8, 1999, the end of the 60-day public comment period. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joint Task Force on Memorials, c/o Ronald Wilson, National Capital Planning Commission, at (202) 482-7242. [[Page 48854]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Availability of Copies and Electronic Access. Single copies of the draft memorials policy statement and map may be obtained at no cost from the Joint Task Force on Memorials by writing the National Capital Planning Commission, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20576 or by calling NCPC at (202) 482-7200. The documents are also available on NCPC's Internet site http://www.ncpc.gov. Dated: September 1, 1999. Lise L. Wineland, Attorney Advisor BILLING CODE 7520-01-p [[Page 48855]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08SE99.006 [FR Doc. 99-23313 Filed 9-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7520-01-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A99-23313. Public record. Not legal advice.