Letter
Dear Mr. Whitesell:
In its meeting of 20 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed concept design alternatives for a perimeter vehicular security barrier at the Jefferson Memorial on East Basin Drive, SW. The Commission did not take an action, instead requesting submission of a new concept proposal.
The Commission members agreed that all of the proposed alternatives appeared complicated and even crude, composed of too many elements in an attempt to accommodate many different conditions created by paths, roadways, and utilities. They commented that any of the alternatives would constitute an unacceptable imposition on the memorial landscape, irrevocably changing its character for the worse. Instead, they recommended development of a more straightforward design, such as a simple wall or line of bollards. While generally deploring the proliferation of bollards throughout Washington, they concurred that the landscape surrounding the Jefferson Memorial may be a place where bollards could be appropriate as a simple and repetitive element if sensitively scaled and elegant in design.
The Commission looks forward to the review of a fresh approach to this difficult design problem. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Steve Whitesell, Regional Director
National Park Service, National Capital Region
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: Ignacio Bunster, Wallace Roberts & Todd