Letter
Dear Mr. McGill:
In the meeting of 16 November, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and approved the proposal to place temporary security planters around the columns under the Forrestal Building at 1100 Independence Avenue, SW for a period not to exceed two years. This time limit should allow for the development and review of a permanent solution to secure the building's structural columns or for the removal of the portion of the building that spans over 10th Street, which would be the preferred option in keeping with the Commission's recommendation of 21 April 2005. While demolition of the central portion may seem to be a drastic solution, it would resolve the security concern while providing a much-needed opportunity to make a significant urban improvement in removing a major impediment and visual obstacle between the L'Enfant Promenade and the National Mall.
As future plans are developed, the Commission staff is available should you require assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Michael McGill, Special Assistant for Regional Coordination
U.S. General Services Administration
Public Buildings Service, NCR, Portfolio Management Division
7th and D Streets, SW, Room 7600
Washington, DC 20407
cc: Jeffrey Zarkin, Department of Energy