The Smithsonian Institution and the National Capital Planning Commission will host a public scoping meeting on the proposed construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be constructed on a five-acre site at 14th Street and Constitution Ave, NW on the National Mall.

The meeting will solicit public comments for consideration in the Tier II Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will assess potential effects of constructing and operating the facility. Since the Tier I EIS was completed in summer 2008, an architectural team has been selected for the museum, and pre-design studies, including a geotechnical report, have been completed.

The Tier II EIS will analyze more refined concept alternatives, which the architectural team will develop using the building parameters and design principles that came out of the Tier I EIS. Discussion topics will include land use and visitation, cultural resources, transportation, and natural resources. The meeting will also cover the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process.

Representatives of the selected architectural team of Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup will be at the meeting.

Comments may also be submitted to:

EDAW/AECOM
Attn: NMAAHC EIS Comments
601 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Or by email

Comments must be postmarked or received by e-mail by December 24, 2009.

More information about the museum can be found on the Web at www.nmaahc.si.edu and about the Tier I EIS at www.louisberger-nmaahceis.com.