September Meeting Recap

NCPC approved preliminary site development plans for the rehabilitation of Constitution Gardens, located on the north side of the National Mall. Commissioners supported the plans to reconstruct the lake into a sustainable and ecological garden with a range of spaces, as well as the possibility of adding children’s play areas. They recommended creating a centralized accessible route and planting native pollinators. 

The Commission approved final site development plans for seawall repair and rehabilitation along the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park. Commissioners noted that the National Park Service intends to undertake a comprehensive plan to address longer-term solutions to address flooding in the future, and that work will need to be mindful of impacts to the landscape and nearby memorials. 

NCPC staff provided an update on the pilot exhibition Beyond Granite: Pulling Together. This groundbreaking initiative, funded by the Mellon Foundation, consisted of six temporary artworks that address the question “What stories remain untold on the National Mall?” Partners will produce a Key Findings Report with recommendations for future program iterations.