National Capital Planning Commission Approves Building and Site Plans for The Education Center at The Wall

Washington, DC – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) announces that the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) today approved Preliminary building and site plans for the Education Center at The Wall.

In 2006, NCPC approved the site location for the Education Center at The Wall, which will be located on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial.  At that time, the authorizing legislation for the Education Center stipulated that the facility would be constructed underground.

Since the site approval, NCPC and the Commission of Fine Arts have developed design guidelines for the Education Center. NCPC’s intent for the design guidelines for the Education Center has been to minimize visual obstructions to other historically significant sites on the National Mall while welcoming visitors and supplementing the experience of The Wall.  In its guidelines, NCPC staff has recognized the significance of the Education Center, and acknowledged the challenge of designing an underground facility on the National Mall.

VVMF’s architectural firm, Ennead Architects, LLP has incorporated NCPC’s design concepts, guidelines and revisions into modifications to the original plans for the Education Center to secure today’s preliminary approval.

Preston Bryant, Chairman of NCPC said after the presentation, “We can see that you have improved and efficiently addressed previous comments.” He then moved immediately to have the motion approved.

With little comment or discussion, commissioners approved the building and site plans.  Today’s vote brings VVMF one step closer to final approval for the building and site plans, anticipated later in the Fall.

“Finalizing this process is a huge achievement for us, and we are moving forward with plans for the Education Center at The Wall,” said Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President of VVMF. “We will continue taking the strides necessary to break ground on the Education Center in November.”

About VVMF and the Education Center at the Wall

The Education Center at The Wall is a place on our National Mall where our military heroes' stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten. With a groundbreaking planned for November 2012, the Education Center is a multi-million dollar, state-of- the-art visitor’s center and learning facility to be built on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans and Lincoln Memorials. Visitors will better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had their friends and family members, their hometowns, and the nation. The Center will feature the faces and stories of the 58,282 men and women on The Wall, honoring those who fell in Vietnam, those who fought and returned, as well as the friends and families of all who served.

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.