Letter
Dear Mr. McGill:
During its meeting of 17 July, the Commission reviewed a proposal to alter the northeast fountain at the Department of Labor's Frances C. Perkins Building at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, including plans to stabilize and mothball the fountain for a future rehabilitation and to install new landscaping around it. The members did not approve the scheme. It is unfortunate the fountain will not or cannot be repaired at this time. If it is to be preserved for a future restoration, the installation of such a complicated landscape as proposed is unwarranted. The members understand that within the next ten years the Perkins Building is scheduled to be rehabilitated and refurbished. At such time, we hope the fountain and its surrounding landscape will be restored to the original configuration. In the meanwhile, the members recommend the fountain be capped off, stabilized and filled in so that a simple lawn can be established over the fountain, preserving the informality of the existing landscaping.
With the appropriate modifications, please resubmit the proposal for review. As always, the staff is available should you or the design team require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/
David M. Childs, FAlA Chairman
Michael McGill
Special Assistant for Regional Coordination
U.S. General Services Administration
301 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20407-0001
cc: Cyrus Balan, GSA
Benbassat & Sporidis Co.