Letter
Dear Mr. Murtagh:
During its meeting of 20 May, the Commission reviewed concept designs for perimeter security barriers for the Department of Agriculture's Headquarters Complex, including the Whitten, Yates, South, and Cotton Annex buildings. Although the general location of the barriers seems appropriate, the designs of the bollards and fences should relate to the structures they surround by incorporating some of the vocabulary of the existing design details found on the individual buildings. In addition, the size and proportion of the proposed planters along the north side of Independence Avenue should be reevaluated to reduce the perception of them as a defensive element.
The Commission looks forward to further review of this project as it develops. As always, the staff is available should you require guidance.
Sincerely,
/s/
Fredrick J. Lindstrom
Acting Secretary
Edward B. Murtagh, P.E.
Acting Director, Design and Construction Division
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9800
cc: Marsha Lea, EDAW