| Q. |
Why build a Memorial to President Eisenhower? |
| A. |
Congress created the Eisenhower Memorial Commission in October 25, 1999. The Commission is charged with memorializing Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in World War II and the 34th President of the United States.
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| Q. |
Why build the Memorial now? |
| A. |
It is time to celebrate Eisenhower’s splendid accomplishments as a General, President, and
World Citizen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s dedicated service to his country spanned almost 50
years. The National Eisenhower Memorial will be the first national presidential memorial of
the 21st century.
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| Q. |
Where will the Memorial be built? |
| A. |
The memorial will be built on a four-ace site to be named Eisenhower Square. The site lies
between 4th and 6th Streets, SW, south of Independence Avenue, at the base of Capitol Hill.
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| Q. |
When was the site selection made and approved? |
| A. |
The site to be named Eisenhower Square was selected in 2005 after review of 26 potential
sites. The architectural firm Gensler served as consultant in the review of the final four sites. In
September 2006, both the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission
of Fine Arts approved the site. Congress also approved the memorial’s preeminent location in
Area 1.
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| Q. |
What made the site a favorable choice? |
| A. |
The memorial site, Eisenhower Square, is surrounded by the Department of Education, the
Department of Health & Human Services, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Air and Space Museum, and Voice of America studios - - all institutions connected to President Eisenhower. The site offers a compelling vista of the Capitol Building. Dwight D. Eisenhower exemplified collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches.
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| Q. |
What decisions have been made regarding Maryland Avenue since it currently runs
through the site? |
| A. |
The preferred alternative, selected by the Commission on March 25, 2010, includes the closure of Maryland Avenue to vehicular traffic through the site. The vista along the Maryland Avenue right-of-way will be fully respected. The preferred alternative concept will be presented for review and comment, along with the other alternative concepts, to various Federal review agencies in April, May and June of 2010. It is fully expected that the issue of the closure of Maryland Avenue to vehicular traffic will be addressed during these reviews.
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| Q. |
What will the Memorial look like? |
| A. |
From a central location featuring a grove of oak trees, visitors will move to different parts of the memorial, where themes from Eisenhower’s life will be presented. The selected design concept includes columns along the north and south edges of the site, paying homage to the memorial traditions of the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, while respecting the historic vista along Maryland Avenue. Large memorial tapestries of woven stainless steel mesh supported on the colonnade of limestone depict images of Eisenhower’s life, amplifying the setting and creating an ideal background for the memorial experience.
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| Q. |
Will the Memorial house a building? |
| A. |
The memorial will be a landscaped plaza but there will be a small structure on-site to house a
National Park Service ranger station, restroom facilities, and a book store.
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| Q. |
Will the Memorial be accessible year-round? |
| A. |
Yes. The memorial will be accessible year-round. There will be a shelter /canopy providing a
covered, protected area in which to enjoy the memorial year-round.
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| Q. |
Is the site accessible by public transportation? |
| A. |
Yes. Visitors can access the site by METRO from the L’Enfant Plaza Station, Federal Center
SW Station or the Smithsonian Station. The Memorial site is one block from the National Mall, within easy walking distance from other historical sites and museums.
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| Q. |
Will the Memorial be included in the National Parks? |
| A. |
Yes, the Memorial will be operated by the National Park Service. A National Park Service
Ranger will be on-site to serve as an interpreter and guide.
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| Q. |
Who will visit the Memorial? |
| A. |
Potential visitors include: school groups (K-12); tourists visiting the National Mall, the
National Air & Space Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian;
international visitors; destination visitors; and local office workers.
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| Q. |
How will visitors receive information at the memorial? |
| A. |
Visitors will receive information from the memorial itself, from on-site and off-site
electronics, and from the National Park Service ranger stationed at the memorial, as well as
from the teacher who will be leading school groups.
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| Q. |
Why was Frank Gehry selected to design the Eisenhower Memorial? |
| A. |
Frank Gehry was selected based on his creative and innovative approach, a competition
interview with his design team, site visits to previous projects and his overall response to the
pre-design program for the memorial. Mr. Gehry’s creativity, ingenuity and inventiveness
demonstrated his understanding of Eisenhower as a General, President, and World Citizen.
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| Q. |
Who is Frank Gehry? |
| A. |
Frank Gehry is one of the world’s most recognized architects. For more information about
Frank Gehry LLP, visit www.foga.com.
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| Q. |
How was Frank Gehry selected to design the Eisenhower Memorial? |
| A. |
The Gehry team was one of four finalists in a GSA Design Excellence Program competition.
Mr. Gehry participated in a three-stage process that began with submissions from forty-four
design firms in October 2008. Evaluation factors included previous work, interviews, and
responses to the memorial’s pre-design program. The program addressed Eisenhower’s
accomplishments and the physical parameters of the memorial site.
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| Q. |
Are there designs of the memorial available to the public? |
| A. |
Yes, on March 25, 2010 the Eisenhower Memorial Commission unanimously selected the preferred design concept created by world-renowned architect Frank O. Gehry. Images of the selected preferred design concept can be found on our website at: www.eisenhowermemorial.org
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| Q. |
How much will the Memorial cost? |
| A. |
The design and construction cost for the Eisenhower Memorial will be $90 - $110 million. The
Commission has received full federal funding through the design period and seeks public/private
funding through the construction period.
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| Q. |
What is the schedule for the Memorial? |
| A. |
The Memorial is scheduled for completion approximately 5 years from the signing of the
design contract, which occurred in January 2010. The tentative dedication date is Memorial Day 2015.
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| Q. |
Where can I find more information about the Eisenhower National Memorial? |
| A. |
Visit www.eisenhowermemorial.org or call (202) 296-0004 |
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