Letter
Dear Ms. Mendelson-Ielmiri:
During its meeting of 17 March 2005, the Commission reviewed the revised concept for the eastern side of the proposed new security perimeter for the Lincoln Memorial. After the Commission’s site inspection before the meeting and following a great deal of discussion, approval was given only for the general location of the bollards on the east side of the Memorial.
Although no proposed solution was determined to be ideal and all the proposals were found to be detracting and detrimental to the Memorial’s setting, the location deemed least objectionable by the members for the bollard line is near the base of the memorial’s steps, configured in straight line along the inside edge of the memorial’s circular cartway, with the line returning across the sidewalk to the center of the flanking plinth blocks at the base of the stairs. This north-south line of bollards should be placed in the roadway rather than cut into the historic curb stones. While this configuration allows for the fewest number of bollards, their proximity to the memorial makes their design extremely critical to minimize the impact on the memorial and the views to and from the steps.
The shape of the individual bollards should be a simple uncomplicated form that does not compete with the columns of the memorial. The material and color of the bollards is a key issue that will require study. The barrier wall, encircling the south, west and north sides of the memorial, should be extended to connect to the accessible ramp. The flanking knee walls of the ramps should be developed further and submitted with a bollard design for review when ready. In addition, the establishment of the memorial’s east plaza as part of this design should incorporate the paving panels similar to the decorative panels which appear at other locations on this site to create a more pedestrian-friendly experience.
The Commission appreciates the great efforts of the National Park Service to bring forth the best design for this most important memorial. The Commission looks forward to further review of this project as the design develops. As always, the staff is available should you require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/Frederick J. Lindstrom
Acting Secretary
Lisa A. Mendelson-Ielmiri
Regional Director, National Capital Region
US Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: John Parsons, NPS
Vicki Keys, NPS
Stephen Lorenzetti, NPS
Walter Schaepper, McKissack and McKissack