Recommendation
Site work and landscape design approved by delegation. See letter dated 11 January 2023. This approval excludes the “Storm Wall” bas-reliefs and the “Unity Shield” of the central fountain, which are still under development. Refer to DC Historic Preservation Office.
Letter
Dear Ms. Hall:
The staff of the Commission of Fine Arts has reviewed the final submission for the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, to be located near the southwest corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. With the authority delegated by the Commission at its meeting of 20 October 2022, the staff approves the final design for the site work and landscape components of this project, as documented in the materials received and dated 11 December 2023; this approval does not include the sculptural elements, as noted below, which are still being developed.
The Commission looks forward to the completion of this nationally significant commemorative work. Please continue to consult with the staff for the resolution of the final details of the sculptural program, including the “Storm Wall” bas-reliefs and the “Unity Shield” of the central fountain.
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: Skip Graffam, The Olin Studio
Emily Bedard, sculptor
Robert Eccleston, sculptor
Scott Stump, National Desert Storm War Memorial Association
Marcel Acosta, National Capital Planning Commission