July 13, 2009
CORRECTION: MALL COMMISSION INTRODUCED TO DC CITY COUNCIL ON JUNE 16TH
In a June 29, 2009 press release, the Committee of 100 on the Federal City stated that the DC Council “passed a resolution” in support of an independent National Mall commission. We have been informed that this is incorrect. The proposed Sense of the Council resolution on the Mall was only introduced on June 16th. The proposed resolution has not been voted on by either the Council or the Committee of the Whole. It is pending in the Committee of the Whole.
Dear Coalition Friends,
We are thrilled to report that the DC Council passed a resolution to support formation of an independent, 18-month commission to create a visionary plan for the National Mall. The resolution was proposed by the Committee of 100 on the Federal City and adopted by Council at its June 16th meeting. Here is the Committee of 100 press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Kevin R. Locke
202.359.6960
Locke47@msn.com / www.committeeof100.net
COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE SUPPORTS COMMITTEE OF 100 SENSE OF THE COUNCIL ADVOCATING ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT NATIONAL MALL COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2009 -- On June 16, 2009, the District of Columbia Council passed a resolution for “an independent, 18-month Mall Advisory Commission to be created by the United States Congress or the President to provide a visionary plan for the National Mall in its 3rd century.”
Councilmember Harry (Tommy) Thomas, Jr. of Ward 5, presented to the Council of the Whole a Sense of the Council resolution submitted by the Committee of 100 on the Federal City.
Councilmember Thomas received overwhelming support in favor of the initiative. In a slide presentation to Council, Thomas described the Mall to be important to the District of Columbia not only for its powerful symbolic value and the amount of tourism the Mall attracts to the city, but as an urban park for residents and an economic engine for the City. The Mall is the proposed “centerpiece” of District plans for a future “Center City” that will encompass the whole area from Downtown area to the revitalized Southwest Waterfront.
“It is an honor to work with the Committee of 100 and Save Our Mall and introduce this Council resolution calling for Congress or the President to create a Mall Advisory Commission,” said Councilmember Thomas. “Although the National Mall plays an important role in the District, the City traditionally has had no voice in developing plans for its future. It is time to change that—the District needs to be at the table.”
The commission idea was first proposed by the National Coalition to Save Our Mall to solve the problem of fragmented oversight of the Mall, and the lack of a meaningful role for the District in Mall planning. It has gained support also from The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.
Coalition Chairman Judy Scott Feldman said, "We're thrilled to see the momentum building for an independent commission that can bring all constituents together -- not just federal agencies but the District, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian, and others -- to create a visionary plan for this treasured national landscape for all Americans to take pride in and enjoy."
Committee of 100 Chairman Laura Richards said, “We are elated. Concerted action on the Mall is long overdue. We thank the Council for its support for creation of a Mall commission and hope speedy action from Congress and the President will follow. The Committee of 100, whose work is guided by the values of the L’Enfant Plan and the
McMillan Commission, looks forward to cooperating with future efforts to plan the Mall for the 21st century.”
For more information, contact C100 Administrator Kay Murphy, 202-415-4571, mkaymurphy@gmail.com, or visit the website: www.committeeof100.net.
About the Committee of 100
The Committee of 100 on the Federal City is a nonprofit organization that advocates responsible planning and land use in Washington, D.C. Our work is guided by the values inherited from the L'Enfant Plan and McMillan Commission, which give Washington its historic distinction and natural beauty, while responding to the special challenges of 21st century development. We pursue these goals through public education, research and civic action, and we celebrate the city's unique role as both the home of the District's citizens and the capital of our nation.
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