Letter
Dear Ms. Hall:
In its public meeting of 15 February conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts approved, based on its prior review of the submission materials, the final design for the Phase 2 rehabilitation of the lake and landscape of Constitution Gardens, located on the National Mall in West Potomac Park between Henry Bacon Drive and 17th Street, NW, and delegated completion of the final review process to the staff with the following comments.
In their approval action, the Commission members expressed appreciation for the responsiveness to their previous advice. To complete the final review, they requested more information on the selection, detailing, and durability of the proposed wood decking that would form the lake ring walkway; they also requested consideration of specifying fewer trees within the open landscapes at the east and west ends of Signers Island, which would retain outward views and provide a better setting for activities such as temporary commemoration projects.
The Commission looks forward to the rehabilitation of this nationally significant landscape. In order to complete the final review of the project, please coordinate the development and documentation of the design in response to the Commission’s comments with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Kym A. Hall, Area Director
Region 1 – National Capital Area
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: Adam Greenspan, PWP Landscape Architecture