Letter
Dear Mr. Lawler:
During its meeting of 16 June 2005, the Commission reviewed the revised concept of the security perimeter for the Lincoln Memorial. Although no proposed solution is ideal, the Commission supports the placement of the security barrier at the base of the lower set of stairs at the west side of the reflecting pool. The Commission encourages the redesign of this area at the reflecting pool's edge better to incorporate security features, including retaining walls, bollards, and a passage for emergency vehicles. The security perimeter should return from the base of the stairs to the cartway of the memorial circle with a cable system hidden within a hedge of evergreen plants parallel to the outer stairs.
Where the barrier crosses the memorial circle cartway, the Commission requests the review of two options. The first option should place the security barriers along the new curb line at the intersections of the circle with Bacon and French Drives; the barriers should then continue along the outer eastern perimeter of the circle using a variety of elements that might include reinforced street furniture, hedge and cable systems, low walls, or bollards.
The second option should place the security barriers at the north and south edges of the proposed central rectangular plaza across the cartway, extending from the outer edges of the plinth blocks flanking the approachway stairs to the edges of the lower stairs. This option should also include a proposal for some type of vehicular control at intersections of Bacon and French Drives and the circle.
In both options, the barrier wall surrounding the west side of the memorial on the inside of the circle must be extended to meet the walls of the disabled-access ramps flanking the main stairs of the memorial. The recommended paving pattern for the cartway between Bacon and French Drives can be determined once a location for the security perimeter is selected.
The revised submission should include photographs illustrating both options and a landscape plan, in addition to the customary sections, elevations, plans, and detail drawings.
The Commission members appreciate the efforts of the National Park Service and encouraged them to employ an expert landscape architect to develop the best design for this most important memorial. The Commission looks forward to further review of this project as quickly as possible. As always, the staff is available should you require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Joseph M. Lawler, Regional Director
National Capital Region
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, D.C. 20242
cc: John Parsons, NPS
Sally Blumenthal, NPS
Vicki Keys, NPS
Stephen Lorenzetti, NPS
Ron Kessler, McKissack and McKissack
Walter Schaepper, McKissack and McKissack