Letter
Dear Dr. Elias:
The Commission has a long tradition of involvement and great interest in the development of the Arboretum. In fact, as I am sure you are aware, the Commission was instrumental in the establishment of the Arboretum in the 1920s and has continued to expect· that the Arboretum would be developed using the highest design standards. During its meeting 15 April 2004, the Commission reviewed four pending projects at the National Arboretum and did not take an action on them. The proposed projects that were presented included: 1) the new vehicular entrance off Bladensburg Road, that included new entry gates, signs, guardhouse, fence, tram shelter and rest stop, as well as a reconfigured Azalea Drive and parking lot; 2) the concept design for the rehabilitation and alterations to the Administration Building; 3) the renovation of the headhouse, Building 18, for office space, and a replacement greenhouse; and 4) the concept design for the northern portion of the Flowering Tree Walk to connect the Capitol Columns to the event plaza, the Capitol Column overlook, and the Azalea Trail.
All these projects are very significant. The members raised numerous questions about the projects that were not answered during the presentations, questions that we feel can only be resolved by a site inspection. The most convenient time for the members to perform this inspection would be early in the morning before our next meeting on 20 May. The staff is available to assist you and your staff to coordinate this visit.
We look forward to the continuation of our review of these projects at our next meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/
Charles H. Atherton
Secretary
Dr. Thomas S. Elias
Director
U.S. National Arboretum
United States Department of Agriculture
3501 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002-1958
cc: Judy Morrison, USDA
Scott Aker, USNA