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ConclusionIn conclusion, there is no concept evident in the WWII memorial process comparable to or compatible with the L'Enfant and McMillan Plans. Moreover, there is a deliberate retreat from vision and from the idealism and optimism that characterizes past visionary plans. Instead, planning has become an ad hoc process. Whoever goes to Congress asking to build their own memorial in the Nation's Capital, and whoever has the private funds to actually carry it out, can win a piece of the Mall pie. So far only Veterans organizations have shaped the evolving character of this great national public space in recent decades. In years to come, it could just as easily be the "Bill Gates Appreciation Foundation" or the "Michael Jordan Sports Hall of Fame Foundation". In the nineteenth century the Mall suffered from benign neglect but the damage to the L'Enfant concept was eventually undone with a clean sweep. In our time, it is much more difficult to unmake a "sacred" space or cemetery precinct. The fact that the WWII Memorial design remains largely and deliberately secret - as of today the federal commissions have yet to review the latest "refinements" - speaks loudly of a concerted effort to keep the public in the dark while creating the appearance of unstoppable momentum in the face of an upcoming groundbreaking. Those of us working toward improving the design welcome the support of others who would like to join our cause. The College Art Association and the D.C. Preservation League have joined us in two initiatives: asking the National Trust to declare the West End of the Mall to its "11 Most Endangered Historic Places" list, and asking the reviewing commissions to, at the very least, direct the sponsor to construct at the Rainbow Pool a full-scale mockup of the proposed design so that the sponsor, Congress, the reviewing agencies, and the American people can see the scale and scope of what is being planned for and voice their opinions before the digging starts on the Mall. |
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Copyright © 2008 National Coalition to Save Our Mall Inc. All Rights Reserved |
