Cultural Landscape Foundation Condemns Trump Arch Approval as 'Horrifically Flawed'
The Trump administration's sanctioning of a 250-foot triumphal arch at Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., has drawn criticism from the Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF). In a letter addressed to the National Park Service (NPS) on Thursday, Charles Birnbaum of TCLF described the approval process as a 'radical departure' from traditional protocols. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts granted final design approval for the arch in late May, prior to the initiation of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Birnbaum emphasized the absence of a design competition and warned of potentially significant negative impacts on historic sites, asserting that the arch represents 'undeniably incompatible development' and cautioning that any opposing certification could be 'factually baseless' and 'perhaps, illegal.'
Key facts
- TCLF submitted a letter to the National Park Service on Thursday criticizing the Trump administration's approval of a 250-foot arch at Memorial Bridge.
- The arch received final design approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in late May.
- The approval occurred before Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act was initiated.
- Charles Birnbaum, TCLF president and CEO, called the process 'horrifically flawed from the outset.'
- Birnbaum noted there was no design competition for the arch.
- The NPS released a preliminary assessment finding potential significant adverse effects on historic structures.
- TCLF worries that a final 'adverse effect determination' will not be made.
- Birnbaum stated the arch is 'undeniably incompatible development' and would violate cultural landscape guidelines.
Entities
Institutions
- Cultural Landscape Foundation
- National Park Service
- U.S. Commission of Fine Arts
- Lincoln Memorial
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Washington Monument
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States