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Most Endangered Places
2002

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Most Endangered Places for 2002

National Mall
Rougly bounded by the Capital Grounds on the East, Independence Avenue on the South, 15th Street on the West, and Constitution Avenue on the North.

The historic integrity of the Mall as envisioned by Pierre L’Enfant in 1791 and the McMillan Plan of 1901-1902 is threatened by continuing pressures from Congress and special interest groups to approve new memorials and museums on its dwindling open space and alter landmarks forsecurity purposes. One example is the World War II Memorial, which will replace the Rainbow Pool near the Lincoln Memorial with a granite enclosed plaza, marring the vista between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and also blocking pedestrian access through this part of the Mall. Another is the underground screening facility and passageway proposed to surround the base of the Washington Monument.

The threat to the Mall is particularly acute because changes continue to move ahead despite protective legislation and agency directives. By placing the Mall on the Most Endangered Places list, DCPL is alerting both the citizens of Washington and of the nation to the threat to this unique historic and cultural resource.

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