Commission Grants Preliminary Approval for 250-Foot Memorial Circle Arch

The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-1 on July 9 to grant preliminary approval for a 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle on the Virginia end of the Memorial Bridge. Three commissioners voted present. The vote advances President Donald Trump's plan to mark 250 years of American independence with the structure on federal land overseen by the Interior Department.

Chairman Will Scharf said the Interior Department supplied a legal analysis arguing that the Height of Buildings Act does not bind the federal government. The commission deferred any ruling on the law's applicability until at least its September meeting, when a final vote could occur.

Staff had recommended preliminary approval while requesting adjustments to redistribute heights among the arch, an observation deck, and topping statues.

All 12 commissioners heard a staff summary and testimony from several dozen speakers. Michael Lemmon, a Vietnam veteran and architectural historian among three veterans suing to block the project, testified that the arch would disrespect those buried at Arlington National Cemetery. "This vainglorious monumental arch does neither," Lemmon said.

Construction continued at the White House on a separate $400 million ballroom during the meeting, with crews covering north entrance columns to remove layers of paint.